Wedding Cache Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A traditional cache which affords a walk with views over the Chater Valley and Rutland Water. This cache was placed to celebrate the nearby wedding of the human members of team uk_searcher, Mary and Chris. Originally it contained wedding related items and several geocoins and travel bugs. The cache has been moved from its original location because of building work. New guidelines prevent it being located with an area designated as an ancient monument so it has moved to a new location.
Route is along a well signed bridle track but it can be muddy after rain. Martinsthorpe is a small parish containing 539 acres to the west of Manton. It is separated from Gunthorpe on the north by the river Gwash and from Ridlington and Preston on the south by the river Chater. The parish is wholly pasture land with no human population but plenty of farm animals and wildlife. There is no village and the only house in the parish is the Old Hall Farm, which is all that remains of Martinsthorpe Hall, the seat of the Earls of Denbigh. This house has been described as having been 'a handsome edifice of two stories and a basement, with a light portico and battlements, and twelve windows in a line on the front,' but, with the exception of the chapel, was pulled down in 1755. The chapel of St. Martin seems to have been on the ground floor of the house, with two square-headed two-light transomed windows at its liturgical east end. On the demolition of the mansion the walls of the chapel were left standing and a gabled roof was erected over it, the chapel thus forming a small oblong building which is the only remaining building although several mounds indicate the existence of earlier buildings. Marriages were solemnised as late as 1744, and a sermon was preached there on particular occasions about 1813 to secure the possession, but since that time the chapel had been desecrated to secular uses and latterly had the appearance of a barn. The best approach is from the east which affords excellent views and ample parking is available at N 52 38.253 W 0 44.986. A slightly shorter walk starts at N 52 37.861 W 0 42.494 where there is room for one car without blocking the farm track. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS JUNCTION ON THE BROW OF A HILL AND EXTREME CAUTION IS NECESSARY. A safer parking spot is at N 52 37.832 W 0 42.289 which adds 200m to the walk along with the need to cross the main road - but it is still safer! Do not be put off, it is a lovely walk and there are a couple of information signs explaining the history of Martinsthorpe.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre fgbarf 29z fbhgu bs vasbezngvba obneq