This cache is at the entrance to Velvet Bottom nature reserve which has a long history of lead mining. It is also very close to Charterhouse where you can see the old lead mine workings and learn abuot the history of the Mendip Hills.
Velvet Bottom nature reserve lies on the floor of a dry river valley and is long and narrow in shape. Most of the reserve can be seen from the main path. The 17 hectare (42 acre) reserve is mostly rough grassland with small areas of woodland & scrub. The reserve has a long history of lead mining and there is still much evidence to be found of the site’s industrial heritage.
Look out for the circular depressions that are the remains of buddle pits where the lead ore was washed. Dam walls at the west end enclose the flat settling beds which are high in lead content. Re-smelting resulted in heaps of black, shiny slag which can still be seen. Shrubs grow where the soils are relatively free of lead. In the valley floor rabbits create short turf, ideal for typical limestone flowers. The 'velvet bottoms' of these are animals are thought to the source of the reserve's unusual name.
The caches is a small tuper ware container and includes some stickers and information on the project. There is a magnifying glass for the first to find.
This geocache has been placed to celebrate the Magnificent Meadows of the Mendip Hills and there are 7 others which have been placed on Meadow nature reserves in the area.
Thanks for visiting Velvet Bottom, we hope you have enjoyed your time here.
This cache is placed with the permission of the reserve manager of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.