SideTracked - Hampstead
SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveler, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website.
Hampstead Tube Station
Hampstead is a London Underground station in North London, England. It is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, between Golders Green and Belsize Park stations. The branch's northernmost subterranean station, it is on the boundary between fare Zone 2 and 3.
Just like its neighbour (Belsize Park), the structure was also designed by architect Leslie Green. You will be able to easily recognise its familiar ox-blood faience facade and the round arched windows.
It was opened on 22 June 1907 by the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway. It remained largely untouched until the late 1980s when the lifts were replaced and a new ticketing system installed.
Curious fact #1
Because Hampstead is on a steep hill, the station's platforms are the deepest on the London Underground network, at 58.5 metres (192 ft) below ground level; and it has the deepest lift shaft on the Underground, at 55 metres (180 ft).
Curious fact #2
As it is at the junction of Heath Street and Hampstead High Street, the name Heath Street was proposed before opening, and the original tiled signs on the platform walls still read Heath Street.
Curious fact #3
The place between its two gates is known as Bob’s Corner, in memory of Robert Brady, a newspaper vendor who had worked there for 30 years.
Curious fact #4
It has 320 steps on the emergency staircase, which take at least five minutes to walk up. It is rumoured the supervisor at the station keeps a log of the ‘fastest times’ people take to come up all the stairs.
Curious fact #5
Its high-speed lifts, originally manufactured by Otis, were modernised by the Wadsworth Lift Company, and again in 2014 by Accord.
About the Cache
As it is a multi cache, you will not find anything hidden in the initial coordinates. The location marked on your map indicates where you will find the information you need to discover the cache's final destination.
You’ll start your journey in front of the Hampstead Tube Station. No information is found inside the station, allowing the puzzle to be solved even if the station is closed.
To crack this puzzle you will need to answer the following questions in the published coordinates:
- Outside the entrance you can see a golden sign, in memory of Robert Brady (Curious fact #3). The number of words in the last line of this sign is A.
- Outside the entrance you can see a small silver London Underground Limited sign. Its address is 55 ?. The numbers of letters in the street name is B.
- Have a wonder up Holly Hill (without needing to cross the road), look for the Ton Weight Limit sign for lorries = X,Y Ton. C = X - Y.
- Across the street you can see the clock tower, which belonged to the old fire station. There is a black sign saying the building was built in 18D3.
- Outside the station there is a board showing witch trains depart from Hampstead. Above this board, there is a yellow sign with black letters. The number of letters on this sign is = E.
- Outside, near the station exit, you can see the night tube and London overground map. The number of night services operating on Fridays and Saturdays night = F.
The final location where our cache is located is:
N51 33.ABC W000 10.DEF
Check sum for all the digits in the final coordinates = 43.
After solving the puzzle, you’ll be looking for a magnetic cache.
About Hampstead_Twins
We are Hampstead locals and have recently discovered GeoCaching activity. As we are delighted with the place where we live and with the stories we find in every corner of this locality, we decided to share some curious facts about our neighbourhood and encourage GeoCaching activity in the region. We hope you enjoy.
If you found any errors, had any ideas for improvement while doing the route or even just want to talk with us and encourage more caches like this one, feel free to send us a message. We will respond to everyone as soon as possible. Let’s get in touch.
What’s Next?
Did you like what you saw here? If you haven't already, how about keep enjoying your time in Hampstead and try to find another cache? Look for ‘Homestead’ cache and have fun!