A circular walk with 28 caches of about 6 miles (10 km) around and between two very contrasting villages, Berinsfield and Dorchester-on-Thames. It will take you along well-made public footpaths, residential roads and for a short distance along the busy A4074 which you will need to cross at #21 where there is a pedestrian refuge, please take care crossing, especially with little cachers and GeoHounds.
The route can easily be split in two or more shorter walks.
The walk should be suitable for buggies apart from the one style at #10 which will require lifting the buggy over.
There is plenty of on street parking around both villages but please park considerately.
Berinsfield and Dorchester-on-Thames, though geographically close in South Oxfordshire, offer contrasting village experiences shaped by their differing histories and characters. Berinsfield is a modern, planned village developed in the 1950s, known for its functional layout, community spirit, and emphasis on accessibility and local amenities. In contrast, Dorchester-on-Thames is a picturesque and historic village, dating back to Roman and Saxon times, centred around the magnificent Dorchester Abbey and surrounded by traditional stone cottages and riverside meadows. While Berinsfield serves as a more residential, family-oriented hub with modern facilities and regeneration plans, Dorchester-on-Thames thrives on tourism, heritage, and its charming, timeless atmosphere. Together, they reflect the diverse character of the Oxfordshire countryside - one shaped by contemporary development, the other steeped in centuries of tradition.
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The Church of St Mary & St Berin in Berinsfield was built in 1962, shortly after Berinsfield was designated a separate parish. It was built by volunteers as part of the village's development, making it a relatively recent addition to the landscape. It was designed by the Rev. Harold Best, vicar of Dorchester, and the church itself is a testament to the village's unique history as the first English village built on virgin land in over 200 years.
The church is dedicated to both St. Mary and St. Birinus, reflecting the village's historical connection to the Saxon conversion to Christianity.
At the given co-ords you will find six stained glass windows, starting from left to right, answer the following questions to give you A to F
A= 1st Parish Council meet was ?th April 1964
B= ?th Photo Recon Group
C= Number of hands minus 1
D= Number of people plus 1 (assume sailing boat as zero people)
E= Numeric value of month of dedication minus 1
F= Number of blue diamonds around edge of window divided by 2
The cache is located at - N 51° 39.ABC′ W 1° 10.DEF′
Checksum for all the numbers in the final coordinates is 59
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If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please visit
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html
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