One of a series of caches near Wiltshire blind
houses.
Blind houses are miniature lockups employed for the short
term detention of miscreants. Although most could barely
accommodate one person, often several detainees were locked up,
possibly with a guard. There are over a hundred in England and have
several names including round house, lockup or clink. They provided
a place for the local constable to put drunks, vagrants, brawlers
and disreputable women as well as those more serious offenders in
transit to the county assizes. Windows are always absent, hence the
name, with light and ventilation coming only from tiny grilles.
Most were free-standing, constructed of stone with heavy wooden
nailed doors. Most Wiltshire blind houses date from the 18th
century although there are a couple somewhat older. More
information can be found in Mary Delorme's excellent book, Curious
Wiltshire.
The Luckington blindhouse differs a little from the norm, in
that it does not have the usual domed roof and boss finial. Instead
it has a stepped type of roof, none the less secure, which appears
to be made of concrete. There are no windows in this one, just a
rough hinged iron flap with holes pieced randomly to let in at
least a vestige of day-light! Rumour has it that the building,
which is owned by the local Council, now houses the lawn mower used
on the village green! Directly opposite the blind-house you will
find the village post office/store where I'm sure your custom will
be welcome. Thanks also to John Sykes for supplying the photo.
The cache container is a magnetic nano, it has the usual tiny
rolled-up log, with room for the briefest signature and date of
your visit.