Churnet Valley Trail 6: Alton Castle View Traditional Cache
Churnet Valley Trail 6: Alton Castle View
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The cache is by the Old Canal, situated in one of the ivy-covered trees. Turn around, look up and see the view. This is just off the main pathway so please be careful of dog droppings!
This could also be deemed as a cache and dash. Alton car park co-ordinates: N52 58.886 W001 53.617
The footpaths for this series are generally firm compacted stone. They are in good condition, but unpaved, and there may be some steeper inclines to reach some of the caches. The minor trails can be wet and muddy. The tree cover even in winter is quite dense, so don't rely 100% on your GPS.
The castle is a Gothic style castle building, built in 1847. It was designed by Pugin, who is famous for his work on The Houses of Parliament. It is a Listed Building, set within the grounds of a medieval castle, part of which is Grade I listed. The Castle sits on top of a hill overlooking the Churnet Valley and has spectacular views, including some of the towers at Alton Towers. This castle was formerly a girls' school but is now used to provide accommodation for school activities.
On entering the grounds, you have to cross a bridge over a moat into an area that was once the home of one of Richard I’s leading knights. It was also possibly one of the scenes of battles involving Cromwell during the English Civil War. With its towers and multi-coloured roof, the present building is in the style of a Rhineland Castle.
F.T.F Honours goes to shropshire seekers (early bird catches the worm!). Congratulations.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orgjrra gehax naq vil nobhg 4 be 5 sbbg hc.