A cache by eaglewantswild Message this owner

Hidden : 3/22/2026

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Newbury GeoCache Series

After our recently placed GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) (cache #1-11, 14, 17-19, 30-32, 35, 38, 60-61, 80-81, 84, 104-106), Didcot (cache #12-13, 15-16, 20-25, 29, 33-34, 41-42, 44-45, 47-48, 53, 59, 62-63, 66-67, 69-79, 82-83, 90-103, 107-112, 117-119, 121-129, 137-141), Harwell (cache #26, 36-37, 43, 46, 54-55, 58, 68), Chilton (cache #27-28, 85), Sutton Courtenay (cache #39, 64-65), Milton (cache #40, 49-52, 56-57), Upton (cache #86-87), Long Wittenham (cache #88-89), Hagbournes (cache #114-116), Kingsgrove (cache #120, 130-132), Compton (cache #133-134) and Appleford (cache #135-136), 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 new when you are caching, thank you!

Newbury #142 - St Mary's Church (Officially Known as Church Micro 15729...Newbury - St Mary's)

About St Mary's Church, Shaw

Address: Church Road, Newbury, Berkshire, England, RG14 2DS

This is the Church of England parish of St Mary’s Shaw cum Donnington – just to the north and east of Newbury.

The striking Grade II listed Norman Revival church of St Mary's stands at the end of a quiet cul de sac on the north shore of the River Lambourn, opposite the Berkshire market town of Newbury. Immediately beside the church is the exquisite Elizabethan mansion of Shaw House, built by the Dolman family in 1581.

Memorials to generations of Dolmans lie both inside and outside the church, along with memorials to subsequent owners of Shaw House including the Andrews family. The 3rd Duchess of Chandos is also buried here.

St Mary's was built in 1840 after Joseph Hansom, the vicar, had been on a holiday to the Isle of Wight, where he was inspired by a neo-Norman church. when he returned to Shaw he tore down the existing church, which may have stood since the late Saxon period, and erected the striking building we see today.

Although the church is nominally influenced by Norman style, it certainly has an Italianate influence as well.

The nave is in 12th-century style, while the chancel was built in 13th-century style by architect William Butterfield in 1878. The material is a mix of flint and ashlar dressed with stone, beneath a slate roof.

An account of the old church on the site mentions a rounded Saxon tower at the west end. This was destroyed by gunpowder to make way for the new church, and no trace can be found today.

Though the building is Victorian, some interesting features of the older church have been retained, including a 13th-century font with a rounded bowl.

The church is often open daylight hours, and if it is not then a key can be obtained from the modern church offices tucked away behind the main building.

About this Multi-cache:

At the published coordinates, you will be standing in front of the church's lynch gate. Please look up and you will find a string of words carved on the semi-circle arch, which is in memory of a person. The number of letters in this person's 1st first name is A.

Then please enter the lynch gate, and look up again. Please find a date carved high on the wood, which is March 29th, 18BC

Now please move to Stage 2, where you will find a grave for Joyce with an angel statute on it. Joyce was born on 22nd May 19DE.

Then please move to Stage 3, where you will find a grave for Roger and Lizzie. Both of them were born in the year of 19FG.

Finally, please find the grave for Samuel and Mary at Stage 4. Samuel passed away in the year of 18HJ, and Mary passed away at the age of KL.

The final coordinates are a short distance away at:

N51 ( B - C ) ( C - A + D ) . ( F + C - A ) ( B - D + E ) ( C + A - G )

W001 ( H / A ) ( B - L ) . ( G - H ) ( G * H / A ) ( K + E )

You may check your answer via the following GeoCheck:

The checksum of all the digits in the final coordinates is 55.

Please also note:

Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully so the cache and log book can survive longer.

Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns and stinging nettles. Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.

You do not need to cross any fence or enter any private land.

Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!

FTF: Congratulations to firstyferrets for their FTF on 23 March 2026!