The intrepid group of 'cachers known as JEMS (Jason, Elena, Malachy and Saorise) moved to Monkspath at the start of 2020; armed with a bag full of containers gifted to them for Christmas, M&S were eager to get going and spread them around the area as soon as possible... Unfortunately 2020 *occurred* and we've had the plans on ice since then.
However, now we're legally allowed go out and about, we've planted nine geocaches around our new neighbourhood on Monkspath!
It's a great place to live, with HILLFIELD PARK & NATURE RESERVE across the Monkspath Hall Road, and all the parks of Solihull a short walk away. The area is well served by the SHELLY FARM shopping precinct, with local pubs HILLFIELD FARM, THE FIELDHOUSE and THE FARM all serving cold beer and good food!
The name of "Munchespathe" was first recorded in 1153, when Roger de Ulehale of Tanworth was granted the manor and the adjoining lands by William de Beaumont, the third Earl of Warwick.
Monkspath is built on the former hamlet of Shelly. During the 13th and 14th centuries Shelly was a thriving settlement which connected Solihull and Henley in Arden by way of the Kings Highway (now Shelly Lane). Monkspath was so named after the famous Harry Monkspath. He gave his life to helping locals through very hard times. He is known as one of the earliest philanthropists and many feel started the move in society to protecting the more vulnerable.
The first modern estate was built between 1981 and 1986, in proximity to the landfill site known as Hay Lane, which served the area until the 1970s. The district expanded again in the mid-1990s and smaller-scale developments on newly-available land continue to be constructed well into the 2000s.
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We recommend parking at the Hillfield Park Nature Reserve Car Park on Monkspath Hall Road - it's a quick walk around the houses, and shouldn't take more than half an hour. There's plenty of on-road parking for a cache and dash, similarly, there's a good car-park (and pub) at Shelly Farm - also a fantastic Fish and Chip shop if you're that way inclined!
The eighth one is a stones throw from the entrance to Meerhill avenue