Katherine’s Cross, in Ampthill Park, was erected in the 18th century, to commemorate the time that Queen Katherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, was kept under ‘house arrest’ at Ampthill Castle in 1533. It’s set on a hill, the site of Ampthill Castle, with a very good view over north Bedfordshire. It was here, at the base of Katherine’s Cross, that the ‘Golden Hare’ was buried as detailed in Kit Williams book ‘Masquerade’
This is an easy cache, placed only some 400 yards from the carpark at N52° 01.968' W000° 30.497'
The terrain is undulating but will be no problem for children or pushchairs, though pushchairs may have to take a somewhat less direct route to the cache. It is not usually muddy though if it’s been raining it may be a bit slippery on the steeper parts.
The cache is a small, rectangular 'Lock and Lock' type container just about big enough for a small travel bug. It contains a few small items, log sheet, a short pencil and the usual ‘stash note’. In view of the somewhat limited space, please restrict your log entries to name, date & time; all your other comments can be put on the website log.
The co-ordinates above will take you to a bronze plaque that has a year engraved at the bottom.
The year = ABBC
To the north, about 3 miles away, there are a number of tall chimneys at the Stewartby Brickworks
The number of chimneys = D
I hate it when the GPSr goes ‘ape’ under the trees so the co-ordinates below will take you to a spot in clear, open ground with an unrestricted view of the sky.
The cache is hidden 15 metres East, North East of this spot.
N52° 02. (A) (A+C) (D+A)'
W000° 30. (C) (A+A+D) (B-A)'
Should you chose to attempt this cache at sunrise (about 05:15) on the 1st May you will be treated to a display of that uniquely English ritual… Morris Dancing. This is performed every year by the gentlemen of "Redbournestoke Morris" and the ladies of "Bedfordshire Lace".
By way of compensation, the local pub will be opening at about 07:00 for beer and breakfast.
The original log 'sheets' were replaced 22/02/2004 as they were getting a bit 'tatty' and there wasn't much space left anyway. They were replaced again 26/02/2005. They can all be viewed HERE.
While you're here, why not have a go at Dan & Pid's "Masquerade" which is hidden close by (they tell me!)
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