You are standing in a historic place. The view of the Thames from Richmond Hill has been celebrated by monarchs, poets, artists and common folk for hundreds of years.
When Henry VII built his new palace at Richmond at the end of the 15th century, a track along this hilltop terrace led from the town to the royal hunting grounds, now Richmond Park. The king's party would rest at this spot, with its view of the Windsor Castle Round Tower over ten miles away to the west. Elizabeth I preferred Richmond to all of her other palaces. She too enjoyed deer-hunting and horse-riding until her death here in 1603. During the 17th century, houses begin to appear as people sought to take advantage of the extensive views. On the banks of the River Thames below, one of the country's finest Jacobean buildings, Ham House, was completed in 1610.
The area around you largely took on its present appearance in Georgian England as wealthy Londoners and aristocrats with royal connections developed and enclosed the land. Below and to your right, the Duke of Montagu built Buccleuch House close to the Thames. To your right on the top of the hill, the Earl of Shelburne built Lansdowne House. The Terrace Walk, where you are standing now, was laid out as a promenade for fashionable members of society. To your left, Sir Joshua Reynolds built Wick House as his retreat from London. Although not noted for his landscapes, he painted the view here, as did JMW Turner some forty years later, in 1815.
By the late 19th century, the grand houses were demolished as Richmond expanded. Alongside the river, Buccleuch Gardens were created. On the upper slopes, the more formal Terrace Gardens were laid out. Immediately in front of you, however, the Terrace Field was retained as a sloping meadow to serve as a reminder of Richmond's rural past.
Two Quite Interesting Facts
William Byrd II, a lawyer and tobacco planter, was moved by the view because it reminded him of a similar prospect of the James River near his home in America. In 1737, he founded a new city there and named it Richmond. Today, it is the capital of Virginia.
The view from Richmond Hill is the only one in England to be legally protected by its own Act of Parliament. The Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act 1902 protects the view from Richmond Hill from development in order to preserve it in perpetuity for public enjoyment.
In order to claim this Virtual cache, first examine the viewing binoculars at the posted coordinates and then visit the information boards a few metres away. There, you need to find white numbers in dark red squares that provide the key to the photographs displayed.
Binoculars - What is the manufacturer name?
Numbers on Boards - What equals Windsor Castle minus Ham House minus Richmond Park?
Task 1 - Combine the two answers, one word and one number, into a single phrase (eg Betamax 7) and send this to me via the message centre or email using the links at the top of the cache page.
Task 2 - Please take the usual selfie, photo of your GPS device or photo of a label with your caching name. Your photo must show the view of the River Thames in the background. Include this photo in your log but do not send it to me.
Your log may be deleted without warning if both tasks are not completed.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
Congratulations to Franketc for FTF!