This Virtual Cache is set in one of Bath's most famous Georgian locations - The Circus. The area is flat and so this virtual cache is suitable for all.
John Wood the Older had the idea of producing a magnificent place for the exhibition of Sports, to be called the Grand Circus. The foundation stone was laid in 1754, but unfortunately he died soon afterwards and the building was completed by his son. The Colosseum in Rome was the model on which the design was based, and incorporated into the facade are the three classical orders of architecture, Doric pillars on the ground floor, Ionic pillars on the first floor, and Corinthian on the second floor.
By having three entrances to the Circus, the design allowed visitors to be faced with an impressive Georgian cresent no matter from which direction they entered.
The centre of the Circus was originally cobbled, so no sports ever took place there.
Due to its splendor, the Circus has been home to many famous names over the years. In the early 19th century, the five plane trees that now dominate the Circus were planted by Dr William Falconer who lived at No 29. Gainsborough lived at No 17, William Pitt the Elder at Nos 7 & 8 and David Livingstone, William Thackeray and Clive of India all lodged in the Circus at various times.
Of particular interest in the architecture is the frieze (containing 528 carvings, taken from a 17th-century fortune telling book) around the top of the doors, and also the acorns on the balustrade at the top of the buildings. All 528 carving are unique and these form the basis for the logging of this cache.
To log this virtual cache, you will need to complete the following task:
- Before you arrive at the Circus, you will need to print the image below and take it with you, or be able to view it on a mobile device whilst there.
- When you arrive at the Circus, you will need to locate the six carvings which can be found within the frieze that runs around the entire Circus, just above the doorways.
- Record the house numbers to which each of these six carvings belong.
- Message or email us the six house numbers in order to log your 'find'
- Photographs are always welcome, but not a logging requirment
This cache has replaced the previous 'mystery' cache of the same name that we placed in 2009 and archived in 2020. This had 690 logged finds and 143 favourite points. We hope that this virtual cache wll be just as enjoyable!
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.