This cache brings you to the site of the former Shipley Hall, now part of the Shipley Country Park. Shipley Hall was the home to the Miller Mundy family, who made their money from coal mining. The family left the area in the 1920s, and the hall was demolished in the 1940s after subsidence caused major damage to the building. But the footprint of the hall is still laid out, and features installed by the Mundy family can still be seen. By following the waypoints, you will have the chance to learn some of its history, as well as seeing some unusual sights along the way.
You cannot drive to the hall site. There are two car parks in Shipley Park (pay and display), but it is usually possible to park a little closer and without payment.
Visit the waypoints (it is not necessary to do them in the given order) and obtain the required information. There is a checksum to assist with the calculation for the final co-ordinates, which are a short walk from the starting point.
As a final task, there is a field puzzle at the end of your search - you must find your way into the container in order to sign the log - no signature, no find. Please do not use force on the container.
Waypoint 1 (Posted co-ordinates - N 52° 59.631' W 1° 20.962')
This is the best vantage point for the hall itself. Obtain the following information from the information panels here. As well as answering the specific questions for this waypoint, you are advised to read the rest of the information - other bits may come in handy on your way round the hill.
A. In which year was the wall built to keep the suffragettes out? 191A
B. In what year did Sir Edward Leche purchase the Shipley estate? 162B
C. What number is associated with the king who planted the blue cedar tree (which is just to the south of the hall)? C
D. In what year was the water tower built? 18D4
E. In what year was Alfred Edward Miller Mundy born? 184E
Waypoint 2 (Pet Cemetery - N 52° 59.613' W 1° 20.816') The graves of Mundy family pets can be found behind the former tennis courts.
F. How many graves are there here? F
Waypoint 3 (Memorial Benches - N 52° 59.602' W 1° 20.750')
The hillside around Shipley Hall gives some great views over Shipley Lake and the former American Adventure theme park. A number of benches have been set up in memory of people who loved coming here.
G. How many letters are there in the middle name of Heather Copsey? G
Waypoint 4 (The Squire’s Graveyard - N 52° 59.453' W 1° 20.997') A fascinating location – Alfred Edward Miller Mundy had no wish ever to leave his beloved Shipley. But his son sold the estate shortly after inheriting it!
H. How many graves are there in the burial ground? H
I. On what date was the burial ground consecrated? 2I October 1920
Waypoint 5 (In the Woods - N 52° 59.502' W 1° 20.973')
J. What is this feature in the woods?
If it is a giant rhododendron bush, then J = 1;
If it is a wishing well, then J = 2;
If it is a folly, then J = 3.
If it is an air vent, then J = 4.
The final co-ordinates can be found at:
N 52 59.(G+A)(D+H)(E-B) W 001 20.(C+A)(B+F)(I-J)
Checksum: the six digits you have worked out should add up to 34
You are looking for a fairly large plastic container.
But when you have found the container, your task is not yet complete. You must sign the log sheet. If you have not signed the log, then you have not found the cache. You are likely to need tweezers to retrieve the log from its container.
There is room for trackables and swag, and a number of pencils have been left inside - please help yourself to one.