GC24703 Llama Farmer (Traditional Cache) in Eastern England, United Kingdom created by Kimberley55

This cache has been archived.

Kimberley55: The llamas have all gone to a new home in Leicestershire, so its time to archive the cache. Its had a good run but the area is rather bleak now without the llamas (actually alpacas).

GC24703 ▼

A cache by Kimberley55 Message this owner

Hidden : 2/21/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is a small lock and lock box hidden just off a footpath near
where the llamas graze in Guilden Morden.

This cache is near to Morden Hall which was built in the 12th
century and after many owners is now a llama farm, breeding
alpacas.

Two male llamas

History

In the early part of the twelfth century the property belonged to
Pain Peverel of Dover but when his son, William, died without issue
the land around Guilden Morden was divided into five estates and
shared between his sisters. Some of these estates were later
acquired by the Crown under Edward I. Others remained in private
ownership passing through the generations. The original hall was
destroyed in the Peasants Revolt of 1381 by which time it was owned
by Thomas Haselden. Morden Hall remained in the Haselden family and
was largely rebuilt during the fifteenth century. The Morden manors
(including Morden Hall) were sold in 1615 to William Hayes and
passed eventually to his nephew, William, until his death in 1651.
The estate was eventually purchased in 1702 by Sir George Downing -
Secretary of the UK Treasury in 1667 and grandfather of the founder
of Downing College, Cambridge, after whom Downing Street was named.
In 1806 it was sold to Lord Hardwicke and remained with the
Hardwicke's Wimpole estate until the early part of this
century.

Present Day

In 1997 the present owners purchased their first alpaca. Currently
Morden Hall has a herd of approximately 120 alpacas. Most are
home-bred, although some of the original imports from Chile, Peru,
Australia and North America remain. To get a closer look, there is
a footpath, suitably fenced, going right through the grazing
ground. Entrance to the footpath is at N52° 4.771' W000°
7.709' , just cross the stile.

The cache

The cache is a traditional 300ml click and lock box situated near
Tween Towns Wood. Take care when finding as it is near a small
brook and the adjacent cattle fence is electrified. The wood is
planted on a field which has been named Tween Towns since at least
1444 as it is between Steeple and Guilden Morden. The site was
acquired by the Woodland Trust in 1999 and was planted in 2000 by
locals of both villages. Opposite the wood are the fields full of
grazing llamas. It is suggested you park at N52° 4.765' W000°
7.903' which is nicely off road, near the village shop and pub and
proceed on foot. The cache and path are family friendly but can get
muddy after rain and in winter, so wellies and all-terrain buggies
will be required. A slight detour to N52° 4.816' W000°
7.845', on your left as you leave the parking area, will take to a
rather nice children’s play area with all sorts of play
equipment for old and young alike.

There are three other caches within walking distance, Church Micro at St Mary’s Guilden Morden, Silver 1977 and Monty’s Hoard

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq gur gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)