Built in AD 80, Dere Street was originally a key supply route from
York to the Firth of Forth and later the main supply road to
Hadrian's Wall. As such, it was lined with forts including those at
Catterick, Piercebridge, Binchester, Lanchester, Ebchester and
Corbridge. The site at Chew Green was an important staging post
used to control military and civillian traffic along Dere Street.
After the Romans, the site was occupied by a medieval settlement,
Gemelspath, which gave its name to the single track road to
the A68. The Roman name for the site is unknown and name "Chew
Green" refers to a later 18th century farmstead and means "End of
the World".
There is good parking at N 55° 22.221 W 002° 19.552 and
the area is easily accessible by following the signed public
footpath that goes past the Roman remains.
As per the guidlines, none of our caches are buried, placed in
animal holes or hidden in dry stone walls. Please email us with
your coordinates if you feel they differ significantly from
ours.
P.S. There was a small
prize for the first person to find this cache; although it's
now gone, you could see if you can find it...