The above co-ordinates are for a convenient car park from whence to start and finish the series. If you are only doing part of the series there are many other parking opportunities round the edge of the common - pick one that suits you.
Remember there are now extra caches that can be picked up on your way round. The number at the start of the name tells you where they fit in. They are:-
HC 0.5 Holmwood Common Start,
HC 1.5 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 2.3 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 2.7 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 3.5 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 4.5 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 5.5 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.1 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.2 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.3 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.4 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.5 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.6 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.7 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.8 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 6.9 Holmwood Common Extra,
HC 7.5 Holmwood Common Extra.
The National Trust have kindly given permission for these caches. In return they ask that we all keep as far as possible to existing paths and tracks - their concern being that not to do so may cause disturbance and damage to unspoilt areas, particularly during the bird nesting season. To this I will add that you'll get round quicker! One last point, please remember
GEOCACHING ON NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
GPS reception can be poor so I can't guarantee the accuracy of my co-ordinates. I have, however, picked reasonably obvious hiding places and given pretty generous hints, so I hope you don't have too much difficulty. The grading is given for doing the whole series in one visit. Any individual cache will be easier than this. Doing the whole series in one push (recommended) should take three to four hours. The common can be wet in places at the best of times, so I'd advise boots. A compass and the Ordnance Survey Explorer 146 (1:25,000) Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate map could also be useful.
There are also a number of puzzle caches on the Common but apart from SECRET SQUIRREL they're all quite hard......
There are a number of ways to get started:-
- Simplest is to stop off at HC 0.5 Holmwood Common Start and collect the co-ordinates from the front sheet of the log.
- If you want to work it out before starting out, then answer this question:-
In what year was the toll/turnpike road built across the common? Answer ABCD.
The answer to this used to be on the notice board at the car park. However, the display has been changed and the required information is no longer there. However, the Internet will provide.
The cache is located at N51 11.B(A+C)B W000 19.(B-D)BA
- If both of the above fail, then the co-ordinates are also on the front sheet of the log for HC 1.5 Holmwood Common Extra.
REMEMBER The cache container has the co-ordinates of the next cache in the series.
The cache container (900ml clip lock) does not contain a pen nor pencil - please take your own writing implement.
Note: You will in any case need paper and pen at some point in the (original) series.