GC2GDTV Ruabon Circular 2 (Traditional Cache) in North Wales, United Kingdom created by Beer 'n Boots

This cache has been archived.

Deceangi: Rather than keep this cache temporarily disabled (which should only be used for shortish periods) I'm archiving it. If/when the cache is ever replaced I'll gladly unarchive it assuming it still meets the guidelines.

Please Note! Six months from the date of the Listing being Archived, is the maximum period, in which this Listing will be eligible to be considered for Unarchiving

Please avoid geolitter by removing any remaining traces of your cache or contact a local cacher to do so for you. If you are having difficulty doing so then please contact me via my profile and I will try to get someone to assist. This is particularly important if your cache appears to contain Travelbugs or Geocoins.

Deceangi Volunteer UK Reviewer Geocaching.com

GC2GDTV ▼

A cache by Beer 'n Boots Message this owner

Hidden : 10/9/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Ruabon Circular - 12 caches over 3.5 miles

This is a Published circular walk on the WCBC Website (more like a squished figure of eight in truth!), you will need their map with arrows to follow this because the route is a little convoluted.

Most of the circular walk is on paths or bridal-ways, but there are some short sections along the road :( Please note in the Wooded area between Cache 5 and 6 there are some quarries and the path is very steep, so please stick to the paths and watch the little ones! Some areas can get a little boggy so stout boots are required.

Transport
This walks starts in Ruabon, which is on several bus routes from Wrexham.
At the time of writing, free car parking space is available at Station Road (grid ref. SJ 300438) but there is also parking in the village centre nearby.

Places of Interest along the route:

(a) The ROUNDHOUSE is one of three of its kind in North Wales. It was used to imprison drunks and undesirables overnight.

(b) The WYNNSTAY ARMS HOTEL is an old coaching house named after the Wynn family. It was here that the stagecoaches would change their horses for the next part of their journey.

(c) St MARY’S CHURCH has a fascinating churchyard, some notable monuments, and a 14th century fresco entitled 'The Works of Mercy'. It also has six bells each bearing a different inscription.

(d) The OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL was founded in 1618 and was used as a school until 1858.

(e) TATHAM FARM takes its name from Richard Tatham who was tenant around 1784. It was originally two farms.

(f) OFFA’S DYKE was constructed in the 8th century by Offa, King of Mercia. It is approximately 138 km (80 miles) long and provided a boundary between England and Wales.

(g) GARDDEN LODGE was the home of the High Sheriff of Denbighshire, Edward Rowland, in the early 19th century. ICEHOUSES were a feature of 19th century estates. Built for the storage of meat, these buildings were usually constructed with thick walls and often partly underground for extra insulation. The large bulk of ice collected in the winter would keep the meat edible for up to a year.

(h) GARDDEN FORT possibly dates back to the early Iron Age. Extending to four acres, and partly enclosed by a drystone wall, it was defended by two banks and three ditches on the south side. No excavation has been made of the fort but it is possible that it may still have been occupied in the 8th century.

In 1167 a battle was fought on this site between Owain Cyfeliog, Prince of Upper Powys, and the English and Normans. This battle was won by the Welsh and the poem ‘Hirlas Eucin’ was written to commemorate the event.

'Hirlas' is the name given to the long, blue horn, which is used for celebrations and can still be seen in ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod. This battle is also credited for the naming of the Afon Goch, which is reputed to have overflowed with the blood of the English - 'goch' being the Welsh word for red.

(i) GARDDEN WOOD. The woodland is known locally as 'Rocky Woods' because of the three old sandstone quarries, which supplied stone to North Wales, Lancashire and Cheshire until 1952.

The wide variety of bird-life in and around the wood includes jay, spotted flycatcher, pied flycatcher, little owl, tawny owl, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, dipper, pheasant, grey wagtail and long-tailed tit.

(j) WYNN HALL is a 17th century house named after the family who built it. In 1670 William Wynn lived at the Hall; he was a commissioner named in the 1650 Act of Propagating the Gospel in Wales. He served Parliament during the civil war between Royalists and Roundheads. He died in 1692 and was buried in the Dissenters Graveyard, Wrexham.

His granddaughter married the Rev. John Kendrick, minister of Chester Street Presbyterian Chapel, Wrexham. So began the long association between the Kendricks and Wynn Hall, which ended in 1970 when the remaining members of the family sold up and emigrated to Australia.

WCBC Published Circular: (visit link)

PDF Map can be found: (visit link)

Please take a pen or pencil and maybe tweezers on this route :)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zvff Vil unf fglyr

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)