See cache CSW1 for details of this series.
The above coordinates take you off the Circular Trail to an old water trough within part of the woods known as Crofton Heath. The detailed history behind the trough is unknown to us, although it is shown as on a track on 19th Century maps, and historic aerial photos show that at least up to the 1940s this part of the woods was still open fields and probably farmed – see also information for cache CSW8. Interestingly, the Crofton Village sign includes an image of strawberries, highlighting the area’s former importance for fruit growing.
The woods also include the remains of a former smallpox hospital built in 1907. However, it was rarely used and closed in 1956 – the building has long been demolished and nature is doing its best to reclaim the site.
The cache is small.
Permission for cache placement in the SSSI has been obtained from Natural England and the Senior Ranger and Site manager.