NTKM - Northgate Traditional Geocache
TheKentSmurfs: Area around the Geocache has been trashed and used for several kinds of dodgy activities...cache container is unfortunately missing, as are therefore the two trackables registered inside (although both have hopefully been picked up by people visiting since the dropping off date)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is placed in a small open area in Northgate between where I work and where I often buy my lunch.
In the summer it can be lovely to sit here and take a minute or two to grab some peace and quiet in a hectic world!
The Northgate to the city is no longer visible, but you can still see part of the original Roman wall and walk on the foundations of the medieval wall nearby.
Little is known about the original gate, which was on the route to the Isle of Thanet. However, it was where Archbishop Alphege was taken following the sack of the Cathedral by the Danes in 1011 before being taken by boat to Greenwich where he was eventually martyred. It was also here that the City Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen met the medieval Kings of England to give them the keys to the city when they returned from the continent across the channel via Margate.
From c.1300 the church of St. Mary Northgate was incorporated above the gate, which was later developed to allow both horse carriage and pedestrian access. The church was rebuilt in 1773 and again in 1830 when the gate was demolished , the only visible sign being a commemorative Cozen's paving slab. The architecture is undistinguished, utilising Egyptian style obelisks and inverted crosses above neo Gothic windows at the East and with a square brick tower at the West. The church was deconsecrated in 1912 and is now owned by King's School.
The various rebuilds did however retain the southern wall which incorporates part of the original Roman city wall which can be viewed from a sunken garden accessed via St Radigunds. In the garden there is a comprehensive information board from which the sections of the wall and its route can be identified. The foundations of the medieval wall extending towards Westgate are exposed at the end of the garden.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vafvqr gur fznyy pvepyr bs gerrf, nobhg 5 sbbg hc (vafvqr n terra pnzb ont)