Harwell GeoCache Series
After our recently placed GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) (cache #1-11, 14, 17-19, 30-32, 35), central Didcot (cache #12-13, 15-16, 20-25, 29, 33-34), Harwell Village and Campus (cache #26, 36), and Chilton (cache #27-28), we decide to place a few more caches in other parts of Didcot and surrounding villages, in order to honour local heros, and to reflect our rich local history, stories and heritage. We hope you will enjoy these new caches and may also learn something when you are caching, thank you!
Harwell #37 - Recreation Ground & Community Orchard
The Harwell Recreation Ground is a central area for local villagers (known as "Harwellians") to relax, play sports, have picnics and summer feasts, set off Bonfire night fireworks, and so on. We spent lots of time here watching our GeoKids play in the Jubilee playground and attend Scouts sessions in the nearby Harwell Scouts Hut. Many dog-walkers also use this field every day. Lots of great memories and experiences here.
The Harwell Community Orchard is located in the northwestern corner of the Recreation Ground, and is also open to the public.
There used to be extensive orchards in Harwell Parish. Fruit trees grew well in the Greensand soil, but most orchards had disappeared by the 1990s. This area west of the embankment was added to the Rec. in the 1990s and was for a while used for Rugby but few other formal sports.
In choosing the varieties of trees, some are known to have been grown in the Parish or wider area and there was consideration of pollination partners and whether the apples fruit early, middle or late in the season.
We sometimes visit this beautiful community orchard with GeoKids to enjoy all the different flowers and trees, which are well-maintained here, and showing their unique beauty across different seasons of the year. Diverse types of insects and bugs can also be found inside and outside of this orchard.
Information Source:
https://harwellparish.gov.uk/community-orchard/
About this GeoCache:
At the published coordinates, you will be standing in front of a bench in memory of Koreen. The number of letters in Koreen's surname is A, and Koreen was born in the year of 19BC.
Now please move to Stage 2, where you will be standing in front of a bench presented by Harwell W.I. Look at the bench plaque, the number of letters in the second word on the third line is D.
Finally, please move to Stage 3, where you will be looking for memorial bench for Linda. The number of letters in Linda's middle name is E, and Linda was born in the year of 19FG.
The final coordinates are a short distance away at:
N51 35. ( B + C ) ( G - F ) ( A + B - D )
W001 17. ( G + E - F ) ( A + E ) ( ( E + F ) / E )
The checksum of all the digits in the final coordinates is 62.
This cache is a 15 ml tube on the ground. Please be safe and careful, especially when visiting with GeoKids and/or GeoPets. Please expect muggles at some times of the day. The footpaths towards the waypoints and GZ can be muddy and slippery sometimes.
Please also respect the local residents when searching for the cache. You do not need to cross any fence or enter any private land.
Please also note:
Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully so the cache and log book can survive longer. You might need a tweezer to help retrieve the log paper.
Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns, stinging nettles, and overhead tree branches! Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.
You do not need to enter any private land or cross any fence.
Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!
FTF: Congratulations to Lmw1980 for their FTF on 11 December 2025!