Stourhead Estate Multi-Cache
Hedgehunters: Archiving this cache to make way for our Stourhead series...thanks for all those who have visited.
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This scenic multistage cache involves a round trip of just under 5km through open parkland, woodland and the picturesque village of Stourton; taking in Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion and Park Hill Camp, an Iron Age hillfort. The cache comprises three stages through a variety of terrain types with one steep climb and some areas which may be muddy at certain times of year.
This multicache takes you around parts of the magnificent Stourhead Estate, much of which has been managed by the National Trust since 1946. Note: there is no need to purchase entry tickets for any part of this cache which follows designated footpaths and rights of way throughout.
Park at the free NT car park at N51º 06.293 W002º19.013. Leave the car park and head west (left) down the road about 100 metres, turning right through the large main gate leading to the house. Don’t be put off by entry charges on the gate, these apply only to the house and formal gardens. Continue on past the front of the house then bear left, following the metalled path signposted to Alfred’s Tower. Head to the Obelisk at N51º 06.573 W002º 19.531. Below the plaque, near ground level, the lightning rod has a two digit number stamped on it (the number nearest the ground). This number is XY. The first half (northing) of the final cache coordinates is N51 06.(X-Y+3) (X-3) (Y-4).
Now continue to a gate at N51º 06.629 W002º 19.710 and cross the stile on your left into the woods. Follow the path down through the trees and on between the two lakes at the bottom. Bear right at the next fork and continue up through the woods. At the top catch your breath and bear right, following the path to a stile at N51º 06.660 W002º 20.230. Rather than crossing the stile into the hillfort, follow the path along the fenceline to your left until you come to N51º 06.636 W002º 20.286 where you will find a National Trust Information Board. Now answer the following questions:
How tall are Soay sheep in cm? (answer = A B to C D)
How tall are foxgloves in cm ? (answer = E F to G H I)
Now you can calculate the westing for the final cache using the following formula:
W002º [A-I] [F-G]. [B-C] [D-F] [A+I].
Before you head off, do visit the interior of the hillfort which is very well preserved and worth a look!
Once you’ve found the cache, continue on the way you were heading. Take a right at the end of the wide track and follow the main track through the trees – don’t be tempted to turn left off this track, despite the many opportunities to do so! When you come to the stile by the gate, follow the path which skirts the woods and lake taking you back to the road. The waterfall and lakes are some of the many features created by Henry Hoare II in the 1740s at Stourhead. Following their creation he became known as Henry the Magnificent, and with good cause!
From here head left under the bridge, stopping at the Spread Eagle for refreshments (recommended) before returning to your car, satisfied at having completed such a fine circular walk and taken in a cache to boot!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnpur - oruvaq snyyra gerr yrff guna 2 zrgerf sebz fbhgu fvqr bs cngu, va sebag bs n flpnzber.
Treasures
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