The Caldecott Area of Abingdon is rich in history - information about this interesting part of the town has been obtained from various sources, but mainly from my neighbour who has lived in Abingdon for over 70 years!
This eastern part of Caldecott Road was very close to the now gone Caldecott House; a grand house and grounds , once home of the Hyde Family; with the last owner being Major-General M. Ballie and his son. The house was converted to a hotel and during the war (2nd, I think), it was requisitioned bythe government. It later became a Dr Barnardo's childrens home, but was demolished in 1972 to make way for the current housing estate. The 'Lodge' however still remains.
Caldecott Road has two distinct lines of trees, some planted in the 1880s (or before) along "the Road", and others planted more recently along the route of the Wilts and Berks canal. It is these ones you may be more interested in! HEading towards the river, there was a 'lift bridge' on the canal, before the canal basin (roughly where the St Johns Ambulance hut is now). Finally the canal would meet the river Thames, not at the iron bridge as many think, but slightly further downstream.
More details to follow.
There is a large playing field near by, as well as a play area for younger children. There is ample free parking close by.
The cache is a little larger than a 35mm film cannister, and is set up to be hooked off and then hooked back on to the tie; not to have its lid taken off in situ. Please place back as found as firmly as you can...
Dog walkers are around, so stealth may be required.
I have tried hard to create caches large enough to allow for trinkets for the kids - this is certainly one of those. You are of course welcome to take what you find, but please leave something in its place (it will need to be small, think marbles etc)
Please take care when retrieving this cache - you can claim it "as found" as long as you have it in hand - even if someone braver than you actually retrieves it!