Thruscross is the uppermost of four reservoirs situated in the beautiful Washburn Valley. Located in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this reservoir is surrounded by woodland offering views down the valley.
The name Thruscross derives from the name of the Norse God Thor. The Cross part of the name may have been added after the Viking settlers converted to Christianity.
Before the reservoir was completed in 1966, almost all of the village of West End had to be demolished before being flooded. Much nostalgic interest was created during the dry summers of 1989 and 1990 when the water levels fell so far that the foundations of the village re-appeared.
The Washburn Valley and Nidderdale were important for textile manufacturing, from Norman times until the 1850's. The availability of raw materials and reliable supplies of soft water caused the industry to grow in importance.
The cache is only a small walk 2-3 minutes, from a suitable parking place on the roadside, down a public footpath, so those requiring a longer walk, I recommend parking in the Yorkshire Water main car park (no fee to pay at time of publishing). The cache site is approx ½ mile (although its down-hill on the way back !)
The area around the cache is wide and open and suitable for picnics, with especially good views up and down the reservoir, and the dam.
At the cache site, please do not move any items, as they are used in the clue !