Ruabon Circular 6 Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Beer 'n Boots: Due to a change in our circumstances it has become necessary to archive these caches as we no longer have the time to maintain them in the way they deserve to be.

We are sorry to have to close this circular down as it is such a nice walk and we have enjoyed it on many occasions. We will ensure that all cache boxes are removed to ensure no litter is left.

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Hidden : 10/9/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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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 :)

To get to this cache from number 5, if you are following the circular route set out by the Council please note that after taking a right by the house with the friendly dog, please make sure that later on when the path forks, you keep to the right hand scruffier path which leads to the back of the house as the other path is the driveway to the house. Its not well signposted by here so this is why we have mentioned it. Also, in the woods please note there are large drops, quarry like hollows so please stay on the paths and keep the kids close by - not suitable for night time or buggies!!! You will see a small footpath post which directs you to the right, after this the path forks again! Take the left path, this is a easy descent. All other tracks are steep and dangerous.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Orarngu "Qjnlar Wbuafba" nccebk 6-8sg oruvaq gur cngujnl cbfg (Vs lbh qb abg xabj jub ur vf, lbh'q orggre tbbtyr uvz orsber lbh frg bss, vg'f abg tenssvgv ba n gerr rgp)

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)


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