This cache is named after a series of childrens books by Jill Barklem.
'Brambly Hedge is on the other side of the stream, across the field. If you can find it, and if you look very hard amongst the tangled roots and stems, you may even see a wisp of smoke from a small chimney, or through an open door, a steep flight of stairs deep within the trunk of a tree. For this is the home of the mice of Brambly Hedge. The mice of Brambly Hedge live together in a close-knit community making best use of what each season has to offer.'
I was given these books early on in my childhood and I now read these same stories to my children who love to think of the animals having their own little communities and going about their daily tasks in a similar way to us, just without us knowing or seeing them!
Springfield Park officially opened as a public park in 1905 and takes its name from its unique geology. The park was formed from the grounds of three private houses, of which only Springfield House (The White House) remains. The park has formalised gardens and conservation areas and has extensive views across Walthamstow Marshes.
The park occupies 14.73 hectares (36.4 acres) and slopes from the high ground on the edge of Stamford hill, to the towpath of the River Lea Navigation on the River Lea. Situated on the other side of the river/navigation to the park is Springfield Marina, a large basin for narrow boats. The higher ground of the park affords views over Walthamstow Marshes to Walthamstow and north east London.
The Georgian Springfield House stands near the main entrance to the park on a road known simply as Springfield. It was a private residence well before the surroundings were given over to housing in the mid-Victorian period. The park area remained intact as a private estate until 1902 when the house and land went up for sale. A group of local businessmen saved the park when it went up for auction and eventually the london County Council took over responsibility for the park and it opened to the public on 5 August 1905.
As well as Springfield House, there were two other large houses on the estate, Springhill House and The Chestnuts. They had to be demolished due to their deteriorating condition when the council took them over. A road called Spring Lane ran through the estate but this was re-routed along the Lee and now forms part of the tow-path walk.
The Capital Ring, a 121-kilometre (75mile) circular walking route around London, passes through the park on the section from Stoke Newington to Hackney Wick, and the distinctive green signs can be seen in the park. Another walking route, the Lea Valley Walk, is close by and can be accessed via the River Lee towpath.
The park received a Green Flag Award in July 2008
Park summer opening: Mon to Sun: 7.30am - 9.30pm. Winter opening Mon to Sun: 7.30am - 4.30pm.
The cache itself is not a normal container. It is a relatively small hide near the bottom of the steps and naturally camouflaged. Have a little poke about in the ivy being very careful not to damage it and take care with the lid when you find it. You will likely need tweezers to extract the log but please remember this is fairly fragile so take care with the hide when you handle it. I have updated this cache for evening hunting. If you have a torch with you, it may well help you pick it up quite quickly.