Welcome to our Virtual Cache
This virtual geocache was created to take you on a tour of the Green Flag-listed Haden Hill Park, one of our favourite places to have a stroll. This is a virtual cache so there is no physical container to find.
Parking & Access
There is plenty of free parking at the listed waypoints (both off Lee Road) but please note that the car park gates are locked at 8:30 pm. Pedestrian gates are open 24 hours a day, at the listed waypoints (on Lee Road, Haden Hill Road and Hayseech). The park is stroller friendly but as the name suggests the park is set on a hill and as a result some of the paths are rather steep and therefore not suitable for wheelchairs, sorry.
About the Park
Haden Hill House with Haden Hall, the Park and Corngreaves Reserve combine to provide a pleasant and interesting experience for visitors. The formal area of the park was laid out in the late 1870's. In 1992 the park was brought by public subscription. Following extensive restoration the estate contains many fine landscapes and architectural features including two lakes, avenues, ornamental gardens, a children's play area, gym equipment, bowls, Haden Hill House with its museum collection and Corngreaves Nature Conservation area. Haden Hill Estate is a landscape of considerable historic interest, developing from an ancient manor site into a fine 19th Century gentlemen's park, finally metamorphosing into a public park in the 20th Century. Remnants of many different phases of design and development are present, including: medieval ridge and furrow; a 16th Century manor house; semi-natural ancient woodland; a 19th Century parkland and mansion; a 20th Century formal garden.
Logging This Cache
To log this cache, please visit the waypoints below and answer the questions. You will also need to take a photo of yourself, your GPS or your favourite item/view in the park and add this to your log . Please send us a message via geocaching.com with your answers - there is no need to wait for a reply before logging your find. Please don't include your answer in your log! If we see logs where it's obvious the logger hasn't actually visited the park we reserve the right to delete the log.
Recommended Route
We recommend parking at either of the listed parking co-ordinates and heading to the question waypoints in order, as this provides the easiest route. The walk back up the hill on the east side of the park is rather steep, so we've worked the route to take you down the hill that way and then back up the less steep west side.
You can, of course, make your own route and find the answers in any order you wish!
Questions to Answer
Please visit all of the waypoints below and find the answers to the questions. Remember to take a photo too!
Question 1
Head to N 52° 28.071' W 2° 3.807' and take a look at the signpost.
What types of walks can you take?
Question 2
Next head south past the bowling green and then make your way to the bottom of the park to the exercise equipment which is next to the Lower Pool at N 52° 27.884' W 2° 3.725'. Take a look at the large information sign.
Which sign is below 'No Boating'?
Question 3
Take a walk past the pond and see if you can see the heron. Your route will now start to take you back uphill and through the lovely gardens. Look for three benches together, at N 52° 28.027' W 2° 3.634'.
From the right-hand bench (which has our favourite view in the park over towards the Clent hills), please tell us the first name of the person the bench is dedicated to.
Question 4
Continue uphill and head to N 52° 28.056' W 2° 3.699' and take a look at the awesome dragon pagoda.
From the plaque on the floor, please tell us who the pagoda was placed for (just the person's name please).
Question 5 - Photo!
Extra question - please take a photograph of yourself, your GPS or your favourite item/view in the park and add this to your log.
Send us your answers
Please send us your answers by clicking here. If that doesn't work, please click on our name (adamandbeckychater) near the top of this cache listing and click 'Send Email'. Don't forget to upload your photo(s) to your log too! You do not need to wait for a response from us before logging your find.
More things to explore
There is more to the park than we have covered here - the House itself has a great museum (for opening times click here). There are also two children's play areas near the main car park (and sometimes a visiting ice cream van there too!)
Feedback Appreciated!
We appreciate all feedback, good or bad, so please let us know if something didn't work, if co-ordinates aren't correct, if you spot any typos or you think anything could be added - it's all appreciated as we want this cache to be as good as possible.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.