Princes Park is often overlooked in favour of Sefton Park but is a lovely, historical park in its own right.
Brought up around the area, the park is very close to our hearts so, in tribute and to celebrate 100 finds, we attempted our first (multi) cache.
Princes Park was originally a private development (though open to the public) by Richard Vaughn Yates. Designed by Joseph Paxton and James Pennethorne and opened in 1842, it was named for the newborn Edward, Prince of Wales, 1st son of Queen Victoria. Construction was completed in 1843. Paxton would later go on to design the Crystal Palace in London for the 1851 Great Exhibition. With its serpentine lake and a circular carriage drive, the park set a style which was to be widely emulated in Victorian urban development, most notably by Paxton himself on a larger scale at Birkenhead Park. Princes Park also influenced it's near neighbour, Sefton Park. The Park has an active voluntary friends group, FOPP, http://www.friendsofprincesparkl8.org.uk who do a fantastic job with maintenance and upgrades. In 2007 the site was upgraded to a Grade II* listing English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
THE CACHE IS NOT AT THE SUPPLIED CO-ORDINATES.
These co-ordinates are the best parking to commence this cache, and also where our directions start from, at the Belvedere Road entrance to the park. This area is generally quiet but very busy during school drop off/pick up times.
If you are parked at or visiting Sefton Park, Princes Park is just a short walk away.
The walk to find this cache should take around 45 minutes.
A pen/pencil and paper would be of benefit but probably not essential.
The given directions are the ideal order for collecting the numbers required for the final co-ordinates and should be adequate without using the given waypoints.
The co-ordinates for the cache & log will be found at:
N53.23.ABC W002.57.XYZ
From the Belvedere Road entrance, enter the park then take the (E) path for approximately 200m to the Roly Poly
THE ROLY POLY
Aah, the Roly Poly… A nice place to chill out on a summer’s day and where children and families congregate with any form of sledge (plastic road signs, bin bags or, if you’re posh, an actual sledge !) when we’ve had a snowfall.
A = The smallest single digit on the signage post overlooking the Roly Poly.
Now walk (N) around to the opposite end of the lake. Here, continue (N) for about 100m to Judy The Donkey's Grave
Whether walking clockwise or anti-clockwise around the lake, take in it’s beauty with it’s island, waterfowl and ruined boathouse.
There are plans afoot to restore the lake to it’s former glory. Originally for boating, the lake is primarily used today by fishermen. The foundations of its formerly Grade II listed boathouse, which burnt down in the early 1990s, can still be seen at the south end.
JUDY THE DONKEY’S GRAVE
A fitting memorial to one of Princes Park’s long standing servants. Judy the donkey provided children with rides around the park for many years. Extremely popular and well loved, children and adults alike have been leaving flowers at her grave for decades.
B = Take the number of years Judy the donkey gave rides to children in the park. Double the 1st digit, add the 2nd digit then subtract 1.
Continue (N) to the end of the path, then turn (NW) for approximately 200m to The Sunburst Gates
Known as The Cherry Tree Walk due to the old cherry blossom trees here.
We prefer to call it the (Japan) Tsunami Path, as the newly planted trees along here were planted the same week as when the Japan Tsunami struck in March 2011.
THE SUNBURST GATES
The park has many historical features not least the surviving main entrance and impressive, ornamental cast iron gates known colloquially as the ‘Sunburst Gates’. These were restored in 2008, painted in their original colour with the sunburst motif gilded in 23.5 Karat gold leaf.
C = Take the middle digit (3x digit number)of the total number of spokes on (all 4 of) the Sunburst Gates.
Turn around and head back (S) to the obelisk you’ve just passed, The Richard Vaughan Yates Memorial.
On the right here, just inside the gates, stood The Doric Lodge which was destroyed by bombs in 1940.
THE RICHARD VAUGHAN YATES MEMORIAL
An obelisk and former drinking fountain was erected in the park to Richard Vaughan Yates, who gave the park to the city in 1849.
The inscription reads: To the memory of Richard Vaughan Yates
The enlightened & philanthropic founder of Princes Park
Erected by public subscription (DATE)
X = Take the year the Richard Vaughan Yates Memorial was erected. The square root of the 2nd and 4th digits when added together.
Take the (S) path which bends off to (W) for approximately 230m to The Tennis Courts.
TENNIS COURTS
Princes Park has been a hub over the years for many sports. To the right of the tennis courts were the bowling and putting greens. The large field at the next stage of this cache was originally a cricket field.
Y = The number of umpires chairs you can see
Continue (W) for approximately 250m to the Cycle Route Sign.
CYCLE ROUTE SIGN
National Route (??) of the National Cycle Network is open and signed from Chester to Wallasey and via the Mersey ferry to Liverpool and National Route 62 - the Trans Pennine Trail.
Z = Take the cycle route number which runs through the park. Add 4 to the 1st digit then subtract the 2nd.
OK. Now you should have all the numbers required (6) to find the final cache and logbook. Why not continue (S) for another 150m or so, and take a seat on the nearest bench, or alternatively, walk over to The Henge and take a seat there.
THE HENGE
The Henge, which was modelled on Stonehenge, is made from reclaimed wood and trees to create a unique seating area and tower where visitors can rest and explore. Officially launched in 2015
As a reminder, the final co-ordinates required are: N53.23.ABC W002.57.XYZ
We hope you find and log this cache and very much hope you’ve enjoyed it and learned a little about Princes Park.
Continuing (S) will take you to the parking co-ordinates.
More information about the park can be found at http://www.friendsofprincesparkl8.org.uk/Princes%20Park%20%20Heritage%20Leaflet.pdf
:D Congats to 8Firm on the FTF :D