Minchenden Oak Traditional Cache
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Size: 
(small)
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ONE OF THE OLDEST OAKS IN BRITAIN ! Gardens are open Monday to Saturday: 8.00am to one hour before sunset. Sunday and Bank holidays: 8.30am to one hour before sunset
Minchenden Oak Gardens, Waterfall Rd, Southgate. These gardens are on the former site of the Minchenden Estate, one of the great estates in the area, which was owned by the Duke of Chandos. Minchenden House was built around 1747 by John Nicholl from whom Chandos purchased it, using it as his country house after his property Canons. The Duchess Dowager of Chandos lived here on occasion until her death in 1813 and it was then passed to the Marquis of Buckingham whose wife was the daughter and heiress of the last duke of Chandos. The old mansion was knocked down in 1853 although a smaller house, Minchenden Lodge, was built in the mid 19th century to the north. A relic of the grounds of Minchenden House remains today in the form of the Minchenden or Chandos Oak, an ancient pollarded oak tree, said in the 19th century to be the largest in England with a girth of over 27 feet. Edward Walford reports that its spread in 1873 was 'no less than 126 feet, and it is still growing'. It is thought to be a survivor of the ancient Forest of Middlesex and may be some 800 years old. Minchenden Oak Gardens was created by Southgate Borough Council as an evergreen Garden of Remembrance and was opened in 1934. We discovered these gardens quite by accident, as they are opposite our son's squash club, and find them fascinating. There is a peaceful atmosphere and an air of neglect. The gardens are dominated by the massive oak tree and at one end is a small jungle. There are various other trees and shrubs and remains of old buildings. A place to come if you want some time to sit and reflect away from the hustle and bustle around. Southgate Tube station is the nearest. Buses : 121 goes along Southgate High St 299 and 298 run along Waterfall Rd TAKE CARE Waterfall Rd is a busy road. CONGRATULATIONS TO BLACK RABBIT ON BEING FIRST TO FIND!
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(Decrypt)
Pyrireyl qvfthvfrq pnpur, ba gur tebhaq ol gur srapr.
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