This is a simple multicache walking trail around the interior of Powis Castle itself. Park in the main car park, you will require tickets to both the castle and garden to complete this 'cache (or National Trust membership). Access to the castle is also available on foot from Welshpool - check the access times at the gate in town. The CO makes no apologies for the length of this listing, you will need to print out all the details as it may not fully display on your GPS unit. You are not permitted to use your mobile phone within the castle building.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE HAS LIMITED OPENING HOURS. THERE MAY ALSO BE RESTRICTED ACCESS TO SOME ROOMS THAT MAY MAKE THIS CACHE UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED. The CO makes no apologies for this state of affairs as it is likely to be a problem from November to Easter only. Undertake this cache at your own risk, and if not possible to be completed just enjoy the wonderful castle. During summer, it is normally 12.30 - 17.00, though times may vary. It is advisable to check the opening times here first before attending the castle.
This tour has been designed to be a fun stroll around the castle, gleaning information from various rooms on the way. The tour itself includes many stairs - it is not possible with a stroller. Baby slings are however available for hire. Unfortunately, wheelchair access is not available. Depending on walking speed and deduction time, this cache is likely to take 30-60 minutes. The final location is in the castle gardens themselves, some distance from the castle. There are opportunities for refreshments in Lady Henrietta's Restaurant in the castle courtyard, or Lady Violet's garden tea-room near the Formal Garden. It is recommended to use the Garden Map available from the ticket office to orient yourself on this walk. It is certainly possible to undertake the Pheasant's sister multicache Powis Castle - Peacock at the same time, but you may get confused as they are very similar puzzles! There is also the stand alone traditional cache Powis Castle - Hedgehog in the bottom of the garden to find. If undertaking the three geocache opportunities within Powis Castle & Garden at the same time then the recommended order is: Pheasant (clues), Peacock (clues start), Hedgehog (cache), Pheasant (cache), Peacock (more clues and cache) - they can all essentially be combined as one long circular walk.
The final cache location is at:-
N NF CK.LBD W AGP ME.HJR
Start the multicache by walking up from the main car park to the castle courtyard, cross the courtyard and gain entrance through the main door (about N 52o 39.000 W 003o 09.645). Go through the doors, turn left into the Entrance Hall, then left again into the Smoking Room:-
(1) Smoking Room
What type of anteater (taxidermic) can you find in this room?
Aardvark A = 4
Echidna A = 1
Numbat A = 2
Pangolin A = 0
Tamandua A = 3
Return back to the Entrance Hall and look closely at the banisters (or balusters if you prefer).
(2) Entrance Hall
What fruit is featured within the banisters?
Bananas B = 2
Grapes B = 0
Oranges B = 3
Pineapples B = 1
Pomegranates B = 4
Walk through into the State Dining Room, and cross to the small alcove in the wall to your left. Locate painting number 86 and look closely at the picture of the girl.
(3) State Dining Room
What is the girl holding?
iPad C = 0
Kitten C = 1
Puppy C = 3
Chicken C = 4
China Doll C = 2
Walk through the State Dining Room and continue on to the stairwell. Stop immediately on gaining the stairs and look in the small alcove to the right.
(4) Warming Plate
In which city was the Warming Plate constructed by T. Elsley?
Berlin D = 0
Birmingham D = 5
London D = 9
Manchester D = 7
Rio de Janeiro D = 3
Climb the stairs to the upper storey of the castle. Walk through into the Library.
(5) Library #1
What animals are featured in a painting high on the northwestern wall (i.e the same wall as the door through which you entered)?
Chickens E = 9
Cows E = 8
Dogs E = 5
Tigers E = 4
Unicorns E = 7
Also, look in this room for a travelling medicine chest.
(6) Library #2
William Henry Herbert paid how many shillings for the travelling medicine chest he took to the Crimean War in 1854? H4 shillings
*NB* Note well that this is the H co-ordinate and not F as you'd expect. The quiz needed rejigging!
Continue through into the Oak Drawing Room. Look for the ornate glass fire screen filled with birds.
(7) Oak Drawing Room
The birds within the fire screen come from which continent?
Africa F = 3
Asia F = 4
Australasia F = 1
Europe F = 0
South America F = 2
Continue through into the Gateway Room. There are numerous items on display in this room. Cross to the window overlooking the castle's northern entrance and look at the display cabinet to the right of the window.
(8) Gateway #1
The chain of which Order can be found in this cabinet?
Bath G = 0
Dragon G = 2
Shower G = 1
Stick G = 3
Thistle G = 4
Continue through into the Long Gallery, cross briefly into the State Bedroom opposite the Gateway Room.
(9) State Bedroom
How many fireplaces are in this royal bedroom?J
Return to the Long Gallery and admire the many sculptures.
(10) Long Gallery #1
How many Caesars can you find in the Long Gallery (count carefully)? K
(11) Long Gallery #2
The Roman cat is fighting what other creature?
Axolotl L = 6
Dog L = 7
Goose L = 8
Mouse L = 4
Snake L = 9
Walk around past the bedrooms and continue to the Landing at the top of the stairs. Find the Sword of State of the Lord President of the Welsh Marches.
(12) Landing
The sword was carried in front of which son of Henry VII at Ludlow?
Henry M = 1
Justin M = 5
William M = 2
Arthur M = 0
Trevor M = 3
Continue through into the Blue Drawing Room and look at the ceiling.
(13) Blue Drawing Room
Who painted the ceiling in 1705?
Gilderoy Lockhart N = 1
George Landscroon N = 5
Gina Lewis N = 2
George Lazenby N = 0
Genevieve Lemon N = 3
Return to the corridor, walk towards the exit, but before doing so enter the Billiard Room. In the Billiard Room there are 18 cases of birds from around the world. Locate the Australasian collection (not labelled - have fun hunting) and answer the following question. (NB - all the birds referenced here or not are in the ONE case only)
(14) Billiard Room
Which bird cannot be found within this one Australasian case?
Brolga P = 3
Budgerigar P = 4
King Parrot P = 2
Laughing Jackass (Kookaburra) P = 5
Lyrebird P = 1
Walk out through the exit, into the courtyard. Cross to the Clive Museum and ascend the stairs. Continue through the Ballroom to access the Indian treasures. Walk to the large display case in the centre of the room and examine the "Four pieces of armour: Padded velvet with gilt copper studs and applied steel plates overlaid with gold."
(15) Clive Museum
What Indian regional style is this armour from?
Gujarati R = 3
Bengali R = 4
Punjabi R = 5
Assamese R = 6
Deccan R = 7
You should now have all the correct co-ordinates to seek the cache. Note that it is not to be found within the confines of the castle or the courtyard; but within the wider garden. Happy hunting! 