This is a 3 stage Wherigo cache uncovering the history behind the Neptune statue and early water provision in Durham City. The walk is approx 1 mile in total and does involve some steep hills!
The lead statue of Neptune was originally placed in the Market Square in 1729 on an octagonal pant which provided water for the people in the Market Place. Water for the pant was supplied by pipe from the Fram Well at Sidegate across the river to the north east
Neptune, God of the Sea, symbolised an ambitious plan to turn Durham into an inland port by building a canal linking the Tyne and Wear rivers. However this proved impractical and never came to fruition. In 1923 the pant was demolished and Neptune was relocated to Wharton Park. He returned to the Market Place in 1991 some sixty eight years later.
The Fram Well Head supplied a natural Spring and was gifted to the people of Durham in 1450 by Thomas Billingham. The spring water was led by pipe all the way to the pant in the Market Place, however over the centuries the pipework became unsafe and at public demand the pant was rebuilt in the 1850s and once again in 1902 before being obsolete and completely removed in 1923. The suburb to the north of this area was subsequently called Framwellgate (street to the Fram Well).
Click here for link to the Wherigo cartridge's page
If you have not done a Wherigo cache before then don't be afraid to give it a go!....to get started you only need either a compatible GPS or a smartphone with a wherigo app installed.The Wherigo app is easy to download to your phone just like any other app. Once you have downloaded your wherigo app and logged in using your usual geocaching username and password then you just need to find this cache page. You could search for it by its title or GC number.You will then need to download the cartridge and will be given a drop down box to which you will probably choose 'Pocket PC Device'. You'll then be ready to go!