WARNING: Before Smugglers 3 you walk through a field, sheep may be on the field area and there are dangerous cliffs, look after the little ones with you.
The Smugglers Series - This is Cache 3 in a 5 cache series. The first 4 caches can be found individually, but you will need the code (number and letter) hidden in each of these first 4, to enable you to solve the riddle that leads to the final cache (Smugglers 5) a great final cache for swapping loot.
Cache Directions
Coming from Smugglers 2, keep away from the cliffs and stay on the top path. Follow the path through the gate to the bridge over a small stream. Don't cross the bridge but look for the cache hiding nearby.
HIGH MUGGLE AREA, DISCRETION REQUIRED. Now a micro cache, after you have found and signed the log, please ensure screwed back tight to keep the water out in the high river months. Once complete cross the bridge and continue along the Coastal Path in the direction of the River Yealm. Dogs can USUALLY come off their leads now as long as there are no sheep on the path
REMEMBER - There is a code - (letter & number) - written on each of Smugglers 1 - 4 logs, you will need this to find Cache 5 of this mini series Lots of goodies tend to be hidden in Smugglers 5 so worth the trip happy smuggling.
History
In the 1790's, rafts of barrels containing spirits were sunk offshore by larger smuggling vessels. These were then towed to the coast by small boats. They would be hidden until villagers could collect them and move them on. Black Joan, a notorious female smuggler, on the Mewstone acted as a lookout. Around 70,000 gallons of spirit a year were being smuggled into the Plymouth area in this way. The brandy would be hidden in sea caves or rocky gullies. The farmer from New Barton Farm, could easily have collected the barrels from a nearby hiding place and taken them to his cellar once the Coastguards were in bed.
If you enjoyed this mini-series, why not look into the other Wembury Local History Society caches, that are all hidden around the Parish of Wembury.
The National Trust have outlined a superb walk that covers all the Geocaches in this mini series, and also several more. Please keep children and dogs well away from the cliff edge, keep dogs on a lead if they are likely to run off. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wembury/trails/wembury-bay-and-the-river-yealm-walk
Many thanks to the National Trust for the upkeep of this section of the SW Coastal Path, and also for allowing our geocache to be placed here.