Background
Stanpit Marsh covers nearly 130 acres (52 hectares) of low lying land just beyond the confluence of the rivers Avon and Stour at the Western end of Christchurch Harbour. The marsh has been formed as a direct result of action and deposition of material from the twin rivers as they flow down and meet with the salt sea water within Christchurch Harbour. Geologically speaking, the marsh is relatively new with the oldest parts dating back about 10,000 years and it continues to evolve. Due to its level it is liable to flood and has as a result has stayed relatively unscathed by human exploitation.
In the past, the northern end was used as a rubbish dump and the area has been utilised by the military in both world wars as a testing ground and exercise area, mainly for military engineering. In fact, Stanpit Marsh boasts the oldest and one of the few remaining WW II Bailey bridges (Stage 3). The prototype Bailey bridge was used to span Mother Sillers Channel and remains there to this day. The Bailey Bridge was designed and built at the nearby Military Experimental Establishment (MEXE) situated at Bargates in Christchurch. This type of light durable bridge was a vital innovation during WWII. It allowed allied forces to make quick progress across Europe after D-Day. The wide entrance of Mother Sillers Channel comes up to the bridge through an area known as Gimmery Marsh and then winds darkly into the marsh reeds, before petering out. In the 18/19th century the channel was navigable for small vessels. The dark mysterious meandering channel is now silted up and is no longer navigable. At the end of the 18th century huge amounts of contraband used to be transported up here, to the safe keeping of Hanna Siller and John Streeter.
Other areas of the Marsh have been reclaimed for a golf course but otherwise Stanpit Marsh has largely been left to itself. Due to its position the Marsh attracts many varied and often rare species of birds. The playing field itself, is a small victory for reclamation as 50 years ago it was used as a waste dump. Its undulating surface still tells of a continual settling.
On Route, you’ll encounter a heavily rusted iron life boat (Stage 5). It was almost certainly swept to its resting place during a storm on a high tide and must weigh a couple of tonnes. It once served a U.S. WWII Liberty ship. It was used locally in the early fifties until a storm in 1953 washed it across Priory Marsh to where it rests today. The boat was stripped and abandoned. After many years, rusting away, it has become one of the features of the Marsh is now enclosed with a fence. It is a sad old relic. The original Liberty Ship that it served must have gone to the breakers yard many years ago and this is the last remnant of a once proud wartime freighter, the name of which is today sadly, unknown. (Many thanks to Lyndon Forster for this information.)
The Scout Hut near the car park is named after the coastguard cutter of Battle of Mudeford fame TS Orestes.
The Cache
Usually the prepared paths on the marsh are dry and make for an easy walk while still allowing the rambler to enjoy the environment, but can be muddy in places after heavy rain. However, some stretches of the path do flood at high tide. Whilst passable (the engineer proved it when placing the cache) with wellies or hiking boots, it is advisable that you check tide times prior to attempting this cache.
The Cache follows a circular route around the marsh, down to the Bailey bridge across Mother Sillers channel and then down to the confluence of the two rivers. From there you head upriver along the river beach and then back inland over improvised railway sleeper bridges, past an old long abandoned iron lifeboat, past the back of the golf course and back across the open playing field to the car park.
1) Due to the sensitive nature of this area, the cache MUST NOT be attempted at night.
2) Take note that paths can become flooded during high tide
The published co-ordinates are for Stage 1 and the start of the trail.
Stage 1:
N 50° 43.855 W 001° 45.500
Trig point at start of circular walk. What is the number on the obelisk? = S AB7C
Stage 2:
N 50° 43.727 W 001° 45.650
Information Centre. How many white, vertical posts support the canopy over deck? = D
Stage 3:
N 50° 43.516 W 001° 45.732
Bailey Bridge. In what year was bridge donated to the reserve (plaque)? E9FG
Stage 4:
N 50° 43.487 W 001° 45.968
Seat. How many words on plaque? = H
Stage 5:
N 50° 43.771 W 001° 45.871
Boat. How many vertical uprights in fence surrounding boat? = JK
Final co-ordinates:
N50° (A)(B).(D)(F)(C)
W001 (A)(J+K).(H)(E)(G)
Checksum = 57 (for all digits of final)