TrOLL FREE Multi-Cache

Adopted by Trixie81 from IBsearching the cache page has needed a significant revamp due to works by the National Trust. The route is the same.

About the Area

The Ashridge Estate is owned by the National Trust and is an area of some 5000 acres of beautiful woods, commons and downlands situated in the Chilterns AONB. There are a wide selection of marked trails to explore.

In 1283 a priory was founded within the estate, following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the priory was surrendered to Henry VIII and it became a private residence of Princess Elizabeth (later to be Elizabeth I). In 1604 the priory and lands passed to the Egerton family and was finally demolished in the mid 18th Century. The Estate was held by the family until 1921 when the lands finally transferred to the NT, whilst the house itself became a college in various forms.

The Bridgewater Monument is a tower rising out of the woods; built in 1823 to the memory of Francis Egerton (3rd Duke of Bridgewater). The “father of inland navigation” commissioned what is widely considered the first ‘true’ canal, the Bridgewater Canal; originally connecting his coal mines in Worsely to Manchester in 1761.

The monument itself is 108 feet/33m high and access to the viewing platform is chargeable for non-NT members (£2.50 in 2018) and subject to opening hours. (NB You don’t need to go to the top for the cache!)

Parking and access is Free of Charge all year although a donation is now asked for , between 6am and 10pm. The NT Visitors Centre and adjacent tea rooms are open all year round* There’s also often an ice cream van floating around the car park.

Whilst you're in the area why not also visit Tim and Jon's 1st Re-stashed (which is an old cache) or Treasure Map Mystery (Puzzle Cache), both are within a short walk's distance. If you fancy a pub afterwards, we’d recommend visiting the nearby picturesque village of Aldbury, where you will find The Greyhound Inn.

The Cache

The above co-ordinates are for a spot by the visitors centre and this is where you start. Parking is adjacent and disabled parking is sign-posted.

The Cache container is a small bison containing a Log book only these days. To find the cache you will need to take a short circular walk around Meadley's Meadow (Map) and collect some numbers along the way. These will give you the co-ordinates for the micro cache location.

Now follow the path around to N51. 48. 389. W000. 35. 529
B = How many Horizontal bars on the gate?
Now follow the path to N51 48.348 W00 35.490 and find the 4 digit number , let F be the 2nd and 4th digit added together

Now follow the path around to N51. 48. 246 W000. 35. 490
D =Number of letters in the item celebrated PLUS ONE ?

Keep on the pathway and go to N51. 48. 248. W000. 35. 654 (Updated 8/5/13 (& again 15/10/18)
G = Total number of signs on the post.

Now go to the Monument (you don't really need the co-ords ) but they are N51. 48. 498. W000. 35. 652
E = How many letters in the first word of the inscription?

Now insert the collected numbers into the following formula and go to these coordinates.

N51. 48. A F G.

W000. 35. B D E.

Since the micro seems to have vanished, you are now looking for an item that'll take you to N51 48.KKJ W000 35.JJH, usefully! Both locations are fairly busy so please be discreet when retrieving the cache. Have fun and good luck!

Further Mobility Information