The woods at Ashdown Park were once part of a medieval hunting chase and on the estate are features dating back not only hundreds but thousands of years. There is a direct walk to this cache but if you would like to explore the woods whilst you are there, there is a circular walk that you can do around the park. The estate is open all year round and every day of the week dawn until dusk, except for Fridays when essential maintenance work is done. It is dog and child friendly with good paths.
Ashdown House was built in 1661-1662 by William, 1st Earl of Craven, a Royalist who was a devoted follower of Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia. It is said that the house was intended as a hunting lodge for Elizabeth, but she never lived to see the building completed. The house, which is a superb example of a Restoration hunting lodge, is now owned by the National Trust and open to the public on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons.
Ashdown Woods are set out in traditional style for a 17th century hunting lodge with a mile long North Avenue and other avenues radiating out from the house in the middle. The fields in front of the house are a Site of special Scientific Interest because of the huge sandstone boulders or "sarsens" washed down from the chalk hills after the last Ice Age. In the woods is a good example of a hollow-way, which is an old track used for driving sheep up on to the downs or taking packhorses over the hills. You can find out more at the excellent Ashdown House Blog written by Mrs. MailBoxMonty!
The woods are renowned for their wild flowers and their wildlife. There are Roe and Fallow deer, foxes, rare bats and a huge badger sett that is at reputedly 700 years old. Don't miss the "wishing seat" as well!
Park at the Ashdown car park and wind your way through the many paths in the woods. The cache is a small container big enough for small TB's and geocoins only. Please remember that the woods are closed on Friday.