Looking at a map of Great Alne, you can easily make out where the old railway line used to run from Bearley, through Great Alne, towards Alcester.
Not long after the Alcester Railway had opened (September 1876), the railway was jointly vested in the Great Western Railway and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway (July 1878). In July 1883 these two Railways amalgamated and a Land Survey of the Alcester Railway was undertaken. The above plans are from the Great Western Railway Land Survey (dated 1884-1885). The first plan shows Great Alne Station with adjacent level crossing on the west side and sidings on the east side. The second plan shows the nearby Spencer’s Crossing. At Spencer’s Crossing there was a small red brick built cottage built by the railway to house the Level Crossing’s Gate Keeper’s family. (Photos and information from warwickshirerailways.com)
The old station building at Great Alne is now a private residence, as is Spencer's Crossing.
Nearby Coffee Pot Wood, which is managed by The Woodland Trust, was named after the engine which pulled the train, which was affectionately known as the Coffee Pot.
The former railway line now forms the path through Coffee Pot wood. The cache can be found just off the footpath through the wood at a corner bend. The cache has been changed in October 2025 to a camo screw top container, with room for swag or travel bugs etc, although currently only contains a logbook. Please bring your own pen.
NB Please keep dogs on a lead through the woodland.
Many thanks to The Woodland Trust for permission to place this cache.