This cache container was generously donated by Beds
Clangers from his archived "Orange Tree" cache.
We've moved it a few feet, and made it a traditional cache
rather than a multicache. Here's Beds Clangers' original
description ...
Old Warden is a picturesque village recreated in a Swiss style
in the early 19th Century by the third Lord Ongley. The Ongley
family bought the estate in 1700 and remained here for almost 200
years. The 12th Century Church of St. Leonard is noted for its
woodcarvings, some said to have come from the private chapel of
Anne of Cleaves, one of Henry VIII's wives.
Located very close to the village are three very popular visitor
attractions:
- The Shuttleworth Collection
- The Swiss Garden
- The English School of Falconry
The Shuttleworth Collection
The Shuttleworth Collection is a remarkable collection of
veteran and vintage aeroplanes dating back to the earliest days of
flight. Unlike many museums, most of Shuttleworth's planes are
airworthy, and fly regularly in flying displays held between May
and October. Shuttleworth also features regular displays of modern
aircraft in addition to the popular vintage machines. The extensive
collection fills seven large hangers, including a workshop where
you can see vehicles being worked on, and a separate coach room for
horse-drawn carriages.
Shuttleworth is frequently used as a rallying point for vintage
and antique vehicle clubs.
Swiss Garden
The Swiss Garden is part of the same complex as the Shuttleworth
Collection of vintage aircraft and automobiles. These gardens began
life in 1830 as a romantic gesture by Lord Ongley for his mistress,
who was Swiss.The gardens fell into disrepair until they were
leased by the Bedfordshire County Council in 1939 and restored. The
10 acre site is rich in trees, with wonderful Cedars of Lebanon,
Arolla Pines, and unusual variegated sweet chestnut.
Numerous small canals are spanned by wrought-iron bridges
fashioned by Lady Emma Hamilton's uncle, who was a blacksmith at
Old Warden. The garden is striking in the spring, when flowering
bulbs emerge beneath azaleas and rhododendron bushes. The grotto
and fernery provide a startling contrast in dark and light. The
garden is said to be haunted, and gardeners of old would only work
in pairs!
English School of Falconry
The English School of Falconry and Bird of Prey and Conservation
Centre is a family run business with over 50 years experience in
Falconry. The collection of birds has grown to almost 300 and is
one of the finest collections of birds of prey in the Country. Once
again it is based in the magnificent grounds of Shuttleworth in Old
Warden Park. It has been carefully sited to create a woodland
setting as near as possible to the birds' natural surroundings. It
is home to birds from all around the Globe including Falcons,
Hawks, Owls, Eagles and Vultures. Some of the birds on site are
part of the World Wide Breeding Programme of rare and endangered
species.
The centre is dedicated to helping in conservation and enabling
everyone to have a chance of visiting and working with these
magnificent creatures. As you enter the village brown tourist signs
will direct you to these attractions.
The Cache
Parking in the village is very limited so use the car park at St
Leornards Church N52 05.113 W000 20.572.
The cache is a Black Ammunition Box located close to the "Orange
Trees" with all the normal bits and pieces. As you will see, not
the type of trees you find in your normal garden centre, and you
don't even have to worry about them growing any more!
Our "Uniquely Shuttleworth - Sea Hurricane" cache (GC1NHNE) is
nearby.