Peak Forest Canal - Bothomes Hall Traditional Cache
Peak Forest Canal - Bothomes Hall
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Along the towpath of the Peak Forest Canal not far from the junction with its Whaley Bridge branch.
I thought it was about time I launched a few caches of my own, and as caches on the Peak Forest Canal are somewhat sporadic, my first few will hopefully fill some of the gaps.
The canal was authorised by a 1794 Act of Parliament to run from Dukinfield near Ashton-under-Lyne to Chapel Milton, a few miles east of Bugsworth. The Upper Level from Marple to Bugsworth was completed in 1796; it was decided that a tramway should be used for the last few miles through to Chapel Milton, beyond which a tramway was in any event to be used for the climb to the limestone quarries in Dove Holes. The Whaley Bridge branch of the canal was completed in 1800.
Bridge 34 used to be a lift-bridge, part of the access drive to Bothomes Hall; evidence of the former bridge can be seen from the stonework where the canal narrows, and two modest gateposts mark the line of the driveway. The hall, built in 1670, was formerly a dower house and farmstead for the Legh family of Lyme Park, and had largely downward fortunes for twenty years, since being compulsory purchased for a road scheme (an extension of the A6 Chapel bypass) that never happened. The ruins were a favoured subject for artists and photographers, but since the end of 2008 new owners have been bringing the Hall back to life.
The old lift bridge has been re-used, and can now be found on the under-restoration Lichfield Canal, though its first relocation was to the Chesterfield Canal. I wonder if the Hall’s new owners are going to want it back !
FTF honours to gse1986
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvax bs cvax syblq (abg Cvax Syblq) va 1979, gura znlor Senam Sreqvanaq va 2004
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