GCTEBP Osterley Park (Traditional Cache) in United Kingdom created by Adimension

This cache has been archived.

Adimension: Friday 13th! 07.30 - It is with regret that I feel I have to archive this cache. I finally got a chance to visit early this morning and found that, as I suspected, they have closed off free access to the whole South West area of the park. The Great Meadow and woods are now classed as part of the Garden and can only be visited Wed-Sun 11am-5pm for an entry fee of £3 (free to NT members). It’s still definitely worth a look because this is my favourite bit of the park. Its rural feel and great views of the house were what prompted me to try bringing people here, so it doesn’t surprise me that the NT have decided to charge entry.

The box was still safe and dry after a year in the open. I always intended it to be a very easy find, but judging from the log book it was accidentally found by an alarming number of people who stopped to rest on its hiding place. I must hide my next one a little better. [:D]

I have all the bugs and will move them on asap. I will develop the photos from the cache camera and publish them via the forums in a little while.

Thanks go to the ever helpful wardens and management at the park as well of course to all those who took the time to find the box. All the best. Simon

GCTEBP ▼

A cache by Adimension Message this owner

Hidden : 2/13/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

An easy cache set in the grounds of Osterley Park a National Trust property in West London.

The first manor house here was built in the 1570’s for Sir Thomas Gresham the founder of the Royal Exchange and financial advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. After many years the house fell into disrepair and the estate was eventually acquired by Sir Francis Child of the Child banking family. In 1761 the Child family commissioned the architect Robert Adam to update the house and he transformed it into the structure you can still see today. If you have the time, a good look around the house is thoroughly recommended.

Osterley was first opened to the public in 1939 by the 9th Earl of Jersey who went on to ensure it’s continued maintenance by giving the House and the central core of the park to the National Trust in 1949. Unfortunately in the 1960’s the estate was cut in two by the building of the M4 and all of the land north of the motorway is currently private property. The noise from the M4 and the Heathrow flight paths is the only blight on what is otherwise a very peaceful and rural oasis in our increasingly busy area.

The published opening times of the grounds are 9am until 7:30pm or dusk if earlier, but realistically the gates are opened during daylight hours often from about 6:30am.

Facilities include an excellent tea room, a gift shop, information point and a farm shop selling produce grown on the estate. Toilets are at N51 29.423 W0 21.095. Opening times for all of the above as well as the house and galleries should be checked on the National Trust website before you set off. Opening times can be limited especially during the cooler months. Dogs are welcome in the park, but must be on a lead except in the designated off-lead area. This is especially important in the cache location as livestock are sometimes put out to graze in the area.

Osterley underground on the Piccadilly line is less than half a mile away and the park is linked to the London Cycle Network. There is car parking at N51 29.320 W0 20.897 for £3.50 (free for NT members) or if you don’t mind a slightly longer walk you can park for free East of the main gate in Jersey Road or north of the park at N51 29.626 W0 21.320. The park has good, generally well surfaced paths, but to reach the cache you will have to cross terrain that can be uneven and possibly muddy after rain. A kissing gate en route to the cache could pose a significant problem to a wheelchair user.

The cache is a 2.4l tab-lock plastic box painted in earthy colours. The management at the park and the wardens are fully aware of the cache and its location so if they spot you feel free to explain what you’re doing there. Please remember to sign the log and feel free to take a self portrait with the camera. I'll publish the shots once the camera is full. Original contents included: