This is the first cache in a series set by the Friends of Crofton and Sparrow Woods (FOCSW), with the help of “BigT & lil’j”, that takes you on the Crofton Woods Circular Trail. There are a mix of 11 caches.
Crofton Woods is a remnant of a much larger area and includes mature oak forest with hazel coppice, as well as areas of secondary woodland and woodland pasture. Crofton Woods is owned in part by the London Borough of Bromley and covers about 77 hectares. It was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1989 notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so please respect it when you walk through and do the caches. There are a number of information boards at the entrances to the woods where you can learn more about the flora and fauna.
Within the woods are public footpaths, including part of the London Loop, as well as the Circular Trail and other paths. In winter and after heavy rain, because of the underlying geology of London Clay, some of the paths get very muddy and require sturdy boots. The Trail may be accessed in a number of places, but cache CSW1 is near to a car park in Petts Wood Recreation Ground which adjoins the Woods.
You are looking for a magnetic bison. Stealth may be required if allotments are busy.
Permission for cache placement in the SSSI has been obtained from Natural England and the Senior Ranger and Site manager.