Thousands of years ago the chalk ridge from the Purbeck Downs stretched right across to the Isle of Wight. The sea gradually eroded the ridge and created the Isle of Wight and the Needles, the remaining stumps of the ridge which stretch out from the island to the sea. Old Harry Rocks are the mainland equivalent of the Needles.
The cache has been primarily designed as a circular walk from Studland but it can also be done while walking the coast path from Swanage to Poole (see Additional Waypoints).
Free roadside parking is available on Church Road in Studland. Alternative parking and bus information is given in the Additional Waypoints.
The walk is mainly flat but starts with a fairly steep climb up a road. We hope you'll agree that the spectacular scenery is worth the effort! The cache itself is hidden in an ancient hazel wood (not far from Old Harry) which is filled with wild garlic in the spring.
Refreshments are available before or after the walk at the Bankes Arms next to the National Trust car park or the Manor Farm Tea Rooms near the start of the walk during the summer.
To find the coordinates of the cache you need to visit the following six locations (in order) and collect some numbers at each. Stage 6 is nearest to the cache on the way back to the start of the walk.
Stage 1: Stone Cross
N 50° 38.466 W 001° 56.989
The stone cross is not as old as you might think! At the base of the cross, carved into the stone, there are two words in capital letters. How many letters are in the first word? Answer = a
Stage 2: Gate
N 50° 37.995 W 001° 56.931
Go through the small gate. How many horizontal bars make up the gate? Answer = b
Stage 3: Stone Waymarker
N 50° 37.878 W 001° 57.244
How many yellow arrows are on the stone waymarker? Check both sides! Answer = c
Stage 4: Trig Point
N 50° 37.899 W 001° 56.330
What is the serial number of the trig point? Answer = S25d8
Stage 5: Gate
N 50° 38.002 W 001° 55.930
How many words are directly below the oak leaves logo on the "Please close the gate" sign? Answer = e
Stage 6: Kissing Gate
N 50° 38.343 W 001° 55.689
How many letters are in the first word on the wooden sign at the kissing gate? Answer = f
Using the numbers collected the cache is at N 50° 38. (d+e) (b+d) b W 001° 55. (a-c) (b+d) (f-c) .
The checksum of all the digits in the final coordinates is 60.
After replacing the cache return to the kissing gate and head to the viewpoint to see Old Harry. From here you can follow the coast path west back to Studland.
The cache is a 4½ litre lock & lock box and was last restocked on 7 October 2025. Please trade fairly. All our trade items are new and cost around £1 each. We'd appreciate it if you could mention what you swop in your online log.
This cache has been placed with the kind permission of the National Trust.