The Fairy Stones at Fairy Dale (Yorks Wolds) Traditional Geocache
The Eccythumps: Cache is missing
The Fairy Stones at Fairy Dale (Yorks Wolds)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The small Eccythumps managed this dale, but you should be aware that one section is designated as dangerously steep – see the map photographed below, so just avoid it. We were wrong to think this valley would be a doddle, a lack of path and high grass hiding mole hills and rabbit burrows means you should have good boots. Shorts are definitely not recommended. The OS map for this area is Explorer 300.
************ The location of this cache has now moved after the last one disappeared during march 2006. Hopefully better hidden ************
This is a typical looking dale of the Yorkshire Wolds, consisting of chalk grassland and a classic steep sided ‘dry’ valley. Fairy Dale is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), there are also two Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS), a disused railway line including an entrance to an old rail tunnel, the faint remains of pre-historic hill fortifications, and it’s very own legend. Which is not bad for a site less than one mile long and a quarter mile wide.
The dale has had no public footpath, but thanks to the recent Countryside Rights of Way Act most of the dale is now open area access land to the public for the first time. The Ramblers Association have spent some effort to ensure this.
The Fairy Stones are tantalisingly close to the road at the North end but the only access is to the south, a walk of about 950 metres. There is a place to park here by the single track road. There is only one entrance in or out of the site, dogs are allowed (with a lead in spring).
The first RIGS you will see is Burdale quarry to the South East of the site which has important chalk and marl strata. Unfortunately this land was disallowed as part of the open access area following objections from the local "estate".
After the tunnel and pond, notice the gate to your left allowing access upwards.
The Fairy Stones are found on a ridge on the North West of the site. According to local legend the Fairy Stones will show you a vision of your true love, but you must be present by the stones at midnight for your vision to come to you!
The Fairy Stones are the second RIGS. They consist of chalk ‘breccia’ and appear completely incongruous to their smooth sided chalk valley surroundings.
Once you start back on your descent please retrace your steps to avoid the dangerous steep sided area.
The dale is a SINC due to its species rich chalk grassland and because of the quarry which is noted for bee orchids and butterflies.
According to some accounts the upper flanks of the valley on the Eastern side also show traces of ancient hillside fortifications, although I must admit I could not see them!
The southern end of the site once held the Driffield to Malton railway which disappeared in to the mile long Burdale tunnel about half way up this dale, reappearing by the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy to the North. The line was closed in 1958. The tunnel is now a home to bats.
The village of Thixendale two miles west has a shop or two, and a pub with food, they have a website: www.thixendale.co.uk
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va gur pnivgl haqrearngu pbirerq bire ol fgbar