Rowallane Garden is a National Trust property so, while parking is free, there is a charge for non-members to enter the grounds. Please check the National Trust website for admission charges and opening times. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden
The caches were placed with the permission of the staff of Rowallane and comply with National Trust guidelines. The Deputy Head Gardener accompanied us and helped us to choose locations for the caches.
Rowallane House.
Rowallane is an inspirational garden with many unusual features and unique plants from across the world. There are a great variety of plants, colours, sculptures and magical features in one of the most beautiful gardens in Northern Ireland. The garden has grown from the 19th century beginnings of the Rev. John Moore and his nephew Hugh Armytage Moore. Their vision helped create a place where you can leave the outside world behind and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty. The gardens are a mix of formal and informal spaces. The trees, plants and shrubs range in ages, size and colour and create a spectacle throughout the year. Rowallane Garden is ideal for leisurely walks, afternoon teas in the cafe or just simply relaxing on a seat in the walled garden.
The Cache
This is a straightforward Letterbox cache. Please follow the instructions below that will lead you to a regular sized tab-lock box. You will find a stamper and pen to record your visit. If you are sophisticated enough to have your own personalised stamper, then feel free to use it. There is plenty of room for swappable items and trackables. .
Please note that, as with all Letterbox caches, the stamper is not to be removed!
- Start from the posted coordinates, i.e. the car park.
- Walk to the Admissions hut as you may wish to pick up a map of the grounds.
- Turn left down the driveway from which you arrived, away from the direction of the house and walled garden.
- Locate the two lions on pillars and stand between them. Take care as this is an access route.
- Walk 40 paces (30m) North.
- Use your geo-sense to find the cache..
Members of the public were outraged when the beloved stone lions that had guarded Rowallane's Avenue Ground for over 100 years went missing. Despite coverage on social media and great support from the local press, the lions were never recovered. As they were greatly missed, it was decided that the stone lions should be replaced to allow future generations to enjoy and connect with this important part of Rowallane's history With the new lions now in place, help was sought from the public to choose their names. The winning nominations were Tonagh and Neave, which were derived from the old Irish name for Saintfield - (Tawnaghnym or Taunaghnieve) i.e. field of Saints.
