This cache is one of a small series placed within the grounds of Acorn Bank Gardens, with the kind permission of the National Trust. As such, please note that it is only accessible during estate opening hours, and at the time of writing subject to further access restrictions due to COVID pandemic precautions. Access to these caches is free to NT members, but entrance and parking charges will apply to visit the grounds. Dogs must be kept on leads in the grounds, and please be aware of deep and fast running water in the grounds.
Gypsum has been extracted from this area since around the 1790's, and indeed there is still a large mine operating, producing plasterboard products, at nearby Kirkby Thore. The earliest works were open quarries, but as time when on, the Boazman family (owners of Acorn Bank at the time) opened a drift mine here in 1923. At first, a rope pulley system to haul the trucks from the mine ran half a mile down to the second waterwheel in the mill, but this was soon superceded by a diesel motor in the engine shed down by the road. After a series of amalgamations, the drift mine closed down and was sealed in the late 1930s
This is a small cache, too small for swaps or trackables. Please bring your own pen and rehide carefully