General description
This series of caches have been made from things lying around in the house. The intention was to recycle as many things as possible and create some new caches in the Heath and Holmewood area.
In order to complete the series, you will need to do a circular walk of just over 3 miles, some on the lovely Five Pits Trail, some around Holmewood Woodlands and some through the beautiful village of Heath. Information can be collected along route in order to complete Panda’s Mystery Cache at the end.
You can normally park anywhere in Heath Village itself which would be ideal for a spot of lunch at the local pub when you’ve finished!
Further information about these places can be found here
Five Pits Trail
http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/access/walking/walks_and_trails/five_pits_trail/default.asp
Holmewood Woodlands
http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/countryside_sites/woodland/holmewood/
Heath Village
In the Domesday Survey of 1086, two settlements are recorded around the present location of the village of Heath; they were called Lunt and Le Hethe. The two villages probably combined during the 12/13th century. However, relatively little change has taken place since then; maps from around 1609 show the village in almost its present layout.
The manor of the village was in the possession of the first Earl of Derby, who gave it to the monks of Garendon Abbey. It remained in their possession for almost 400 years. It then became bequeathed by Henry VIII to Thomas Manners, then to various families following him.
In the village, there are two buildings listed as Grade II, meaning they are of special archeological and historical interest. There is a thatched cottage located near to the entrance of the former Heath Comprehensive School. The second building is the remains of the original 12th century church, which is separated from the village by the dual carriageway.
Much of the village is maintained by the Chatsworth Estate, with the traditional "Chatsworth Blue" doors and window frames signifying the properties leased from the estate.
The buildings in the village are constructed mainly from the local cream-coloured sandstone, coupled with a variety of traditional roofing materials. In May 1977, the village was designated a conservation area.
More information can be found here, including dates of the Heath Village Well Dressings
http://www.heathvillage.net/
The caches range in size and complexity, however the terrain should be fine for walkers all year round (if not a little muddy in places at certain times of the year). Some caches are accessible by pushchairs and wheelchairs, however others are on more bumpy ground or need to cross stiles so the entire route in not recommended for wheelchair / buggy users, sorry.
Congratulations to cats-eyes for their FTF so early in the morning! Even if they did break it!!!! ;-)