The site became a farm because the combination of soil type and frequent flooding made it ideal for agriculture and livestock-rearing. The wealth generated by the farm is reflected in the size of its buildings. In the 1960's the farm was the last remaining working dairy farm supplying milk to the local market in Bristol. It was managed as a traditional farm up until 1971 when the site was purchased by Bristol City Council. Up until 1978 part of the site was used as a tip for domestic waste. Once tipping ended, the site was landscaped and trees were planted. The farm was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2006 in recognition of its importance for wildlife.
The cache
Start at the Whitmore Avenue entrance.
The sign at the entrance - how many acres? AB
What colour is the heron (number of letters) C
Walk down the road to Waypoint 1 - The Farm
What little bird is pictured (number of letters) D
How many butterfly species? E
Take the slightly hidden path right of the sign onto the grass verge into the woods.
Follow the path down through the woods to the broken sign by the river. (Waypoint 2)
Follow the path left along the river to the pond (Waypoint 3)
The jetty is made of a number of same-sized panels (ignoring the RHS extension)
How many planks in a single panel? F
Continue along the river to the lagoon (Waypoint 4)
Between the lagoon and the river there's a shady spot under how many trees? G
Continue along the river to the little copse (Waypoint 5)
One of the trees has a yellow ribbon tied to it with a number on it H
Continue on to Waypoint 6 where you can see the ferry stop on the other side of the river
How many bicycle railings are there behind the ferry steps? I
Continue on to Waypoint 7
Here is the meadow with 2 benches and a little further on, an information board in Beese's carpark
At the information board - what type of newt is pictured (number of letters) J
At the benches in the meadow - what animal is to the left of the spider (number of letters) K
Keep walking through the meadow, over the tiny bridge (Waypoint 8) and right, up the hill to the open space.
At Waypoint 9, how many benches are here at the top of the field? L
Have a seat and calculate the final co-ordinates:
N51 26. (E/K) (CxG) ((A+D)-L)
W02 31. (J+L) (F-B) (I)