Thomas West Derwentwater Stations (Cumbria) Multi-Cache

These waypoints are 4 of 8 of Thomas West's 'stations' around Derwentwater. Latrigg and Jaws of Borrowdale are two more Thomas West 'stations', and were geocaches by The Golem.

Around Derwentwater are 8 of 21 'stations' (viewpoints) Thomas West describes in the first guide book to the Lake District, 'A guide to the Lakes, Cumberland and Westmorland', published in 1778. Reference copies available to read in some Cumbrian libraries. West's book was reprinted in 2008 by Cumbria University.

Peter Crosthwaite, curator of Keswick museum, first published in 1794, outline maps showing these 'stations' around the four major lakes West describes.

Coniston Water has four 'stations', Windermere has five, Derwentwater has eight and Bassenthwaite lake has four. There are two bonus 'stations' elsewhere. These 'stations' were chosen for scenic view and charm, making ideal geocache locations. Nowadays trees have matured to obstruct some of the views.

By visiting other Thomas West geocaches you will have been to the best views the Lake District has to offer. Brant Fell is the best with Latrigg second.

Although the 'stations' are described in the order West uses, you can visit them in any order. Spend some time looking at the views.

There are two on Lingholm estates who tolerate occasional access, but you don't have to visit these. Grevel Lindop in his modern book, 'A Literary guide to the Lake District', places West's second 'station' at Friar's Crag, and third on top of Castle Head wood. According to Crosthwaite's maps these are not the locations. There are already geocaches at these locations, and the views are superb. See nearby Waymarks.

Download multiple waypoints using GRABBER page.

Questions and final cache location
N 54 34.(B*E)(B+C)(B+C) W 03 07.(C+D)C(A+B+C)

1. Station One. Crow Park
   Crow Park was originally covered in mature oaks. The former owner was the Earl of Derwentwater, who backed the Jacobite rebellion in 1715, and lost his estates and life for treason. Estates were given to the commissioners of Greenwich hospital, who harvested the oaks, against public protest in 1751.
   How many church spires can you see? This is A
   Divide the angle between church spire and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team base by 10 and round to nearest integer. This is B
2. Station Two. Cockshot Wood
   The trees have matured and there is no view. West described immature oak scrub in 1778. Two bramble covered tree trunks are lying in parallel here. Which is the nearest cardinal point of the compass they are pointing to? How many letters in that word? This is C.
3. Station Three is final cache.
   The BEST views of Derwentwater. Robert Southey the poet, wrote that this was an excellent trip for his children, not too far, nor too strenuous, yet enough to tire them.
   Ticks and high bracken growth may be a hazard.
4. Station 4 - Castle Crag is close to The Golem's Jaws of Borrowdale geocache. (GCRERK) N 54° 31.978 W 003° 09.717 NY 24909 15918 The view is best from WM2XZ3
5. Stations 5 and 6 are on the land of Lingholm estates who tolerate occasional access. Although not necessary to find final cache location, Station 5 is Swinside summit with superb views. N 54 35.486 W 03 10.351 Swinside plantation is sometimes used for pheasant shooting in season.
6. The Allerdale Ramble passes close to Station 6, a high point in Fawe Park. N 54 35.637 W 03 09.485 Beatrix Potter stayed here, and based her 'Squirrel Nutkin' book on her visits.
7. Station Seven. Great Crosthwaite
   West's actual 'station' was the garden terrace of 'Allason's' vicarage. A private house nowadays. From the nearby waypoint, views to South and West are now obscured by Keswick school, but Skiddaw is impressive.,
   How many vertical members with pointed tops, to the swinging part of gate? This is D

   How many hinges on swing gate? This is E

8. Station 8 is on Latrigg. The nearest geocache was Latrigg by The Golem (GCRBZY). The second best views of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite lake. :-) N 54° 36.754 W 003° 06.965 NY 28018 24726

You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.

Keep a look out for birds of prey, and other nearby geocaches and Waymarks.

Geocache is sparse as a SOTA cache, containing:
Log book
Pencil

None of which are swaps.

Box is black. Room for small swaps and calling cards.

Four of the Thomas West geocaches contain information to find a bonus Thomas West location and cache.

• Toilets - Theatre by Lake
• Refreshments - Cafes near Theatre by Lake and in Keswick

All the Thomas West geocaches are

1. GCVVGF Thomas West Bassenthwaite Lake Stations (Cumbria)
2. GCWAW0 Thomas West Bonus Station (Cumbria)
3. GCVTDK Thomas West Brant Fell station (Cumbria)
4. GCRERK The Jaws of Borrowdale (Thomas West Station DW4)
5. GCWZY0 Thomas West Coniston Water Stations (Cumbria)
6. GCVZYX Thomas West Derwentwater stations (Cumbria)
7. GCWVCW Thomas West Dunmallard station (Cumbria)
8. GCRBZY Latrigg (Thomas West DW 8)
9. GCVPHG Thomas West Rawlinson Nab (Cumbria)
10. GCVPGK Thomas West Windermere on Water Station (Cumbria)

Things to remove from a cache and not to swap in the first instance. Food stuff, sweets, batteries, coins, plasters (Band-Aid) anything in a sachet, anything liquid, marker pens.