Bolton’s Bench is a yew-capped hillock situated at the end of High Street on the outskirts of Lyndhurst. It is a natural knoll and not an enormous pre-historic burial ground as some believe.
Bolton’s Bench was named after an 18th century Duke of Bolton called Lord Warden of the New Forest whose family were Master Keepers of Burley Bailiwick.
Lyndhurst cemetery and chapel close to Bolton’s Bench was opened in the mid 1880’s when the parish church graveyard became full. It is very well kept and the surrounding area of grassland is kept short by the commoners stock of ponies, donkeys and cattle making it a great place for a game of football or cricket or a family picnic.
To the east of Bolton’s Bench and the cemetery is the wide open landscape of heath land, wetland and woods known as White Moor. During the First World War White Moor was a camp for soldiers before embarking for the fronts. Evidence of war is still occasionally unearthed and the remains of trenches used for warfare practice are still visible today. In October 1914 soldiers of the Immortal 7th Division, who had camped here, sailed for France heading for the battlefields of Ypres. Three weeks after going into battle only 2,380 of the 15,000 men were still alive.
It may get quite muddy on route to the cache in winter or after long periods of wet weather, so please wear appropriate footware. Although the clues are accessible to all, the route to the cache would not suitable for wheelchairs and ordinary buggies, however maybe accessible to the all terrain styles.
The cache is not at the published co-ordinates. There is parking near by at N50 52.286 W001 33.857 (alternative car parking available at N50 52.360 W001 34.110 or N50 52.327 W001 34.214) from here head over to the wall surrounding the cemetery, where you will see a small gate giving you access inside.
Location 1 - N50 52.346 W001 33.801
There is a number on the North side = 5A
Location 2 - N50 52.370 W001 33.794
Find the bench in memory of Fred and Rita . Where A=1, B=2 etc for the surname
1st Letter / 2 = B
4th Letter = C
3rd Letter + 2 = D
Location 3 - N50 52.384 W001 33.857
The year Robert Fripp died 18YZ
Z + 3 = E
Y - 1 = F
Location 4 - N50 52.345 W001 33.827
You will see four numbers here.
Bottom Right = G
Top Right = H
The cache can now be found at
N50 5A.BCD W001 3E.FGH
Please exit the cemetery by the gate you entered, the cache is then a short distance away. PLEASE NOTE this is the third replacement cache, please ensure to respect the countryside and take care not to damage the area as was the case at the previous location
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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