The twin towered gatehouse of a late 14th
century fort are all that remains of Donnington Castle. From here
it is possible to see across impressive earthworks and look far out
towards Newbury. The earliest mention of the manor of 'Deritone' is
found in the Domesday Survey. It is around this manor that we think
Richard de Abberbury, a close associate of King Richard II, built
his castle. In 1415 de Abberbury sold the castle to Thomas Chaucer,
son of the poet and a serif or Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Speaker
of the House of Commons.
The castle remained in the family until it
was confiscated by the crown in 1503 following the War of the
Roses. Throughout the next 150 years it was passed from monarch to
monarch and given to various nobles. Edward VI is said to have
given the castle to his half-sister, who became Elizabeth I as
gift. She was said to be less than impressed! With the threat of
civil unrest, in 1643 Charles I sent Colonel John Boys to hold
Donnington for him, it being of strategic importance on the Newbury
to Bath road. Boys set about strengthening the castle’s position by
building earthworks. In July 1644 the Parliamentarian
Lieutenant-General Middleton attempted to seize the castle. Despite
incurring large numbers of casualties Boys managed to hold the
rebels back until October when the King’s army arrived. Charles was
understandably grateful and gave Boys a knighthood. It was in vain
however because by 1646 the castle would no longer resist attack
despite attempts to repair it and Boys surrendered. The castle is
now in the care of English Heritage.
Click
here for an information sheet by West Berkshire Heritage &
Tourism Service on Donnington Castle.
This is an 3-part offset multi-cache. You can
park very close to the coordinates given but not that the road to
the castle is only open between 9:30 and 18:30. Outside these times
you can park a short distance away in Donnington
village.
Part one. Find the first date on the
notice board and make this ABCD.
The coordinates of Part two are N 51°
25.(C-D)DD W 001° 20.(C-B)DD
Part two. How many nail are attaching
the Lambourne Way signs to the post? This is X.
The coordinates of Part three are N
51° 25.(X/4)(X-3)(X-2) W 001° 20.(X/2)(X+1)(X-2)
Part three. This is a small ammo box
containing the usual goodies. There is a camera so please take a
photo. There are also some souvenir cards: please help yourself to
one.
Please check out the Geocaching Association of Great
Britain
offering support for Geocachers in the
UK