St. Benedicts Wood No.1 Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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St. Benedicts Wood No.1
About this wood
This secondary woodland/open space is located on the remains of St Benedicts Clinic (also known as Rainhill Mental Hospital). This was opened in 1851 and demolished during 1990/1992.
There was once the cricket pitch and pavilion (which has now been demolished) but the area remains as a grass field with number of mature trees including some large leaved Lime, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Scots Pine, Sweet Chestnut and a large Turkey Oak surrounding the perimeter.
The main forest which backs onto Eccleston Park golf course has many Ash, Alder, Sycamore, Norway Maple, Horse Chestnut, Elm, Lime, Poplar (including some large standing dead wood) and Sweet chestnut. The Elm is predominantly between 20 to 40 years of age with some individuals estimated to be ranging from 10 to 100 years.
Northeast of the wood are two large open grassland areas with some natural regeneration. It is split east to west by a large earth mound which has some scrub and a rabbit population.
The woods cover an area of 12.89ha and can get a little muddy in winter.
Here is a great link showing various photos of Rainhill hospital before it was: (visit link)
I have decided to bring you to this location to enjoy 5 caches. The fifth (puzzle cache) can only be found once you have the four clues from the other traditional caches.
The area is pleasant and fairly quiet. Watch out for non-geocachers walking their dogs and children playing in the area. The total walking distance is approximately 1.5 miles.
I hope you enjoy the area and the five chosen hiding spots.
Suggested parking area to do all caches is:
N53º 25.723 W2º 46.008
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
"Cbchyne" uvqvat cynpr
Pnzbhsyntrq