The DruidsStapleWood (DSW) series is a circular route of 69 caches set along a 24km/15 mile route using bridleways, footpaths and roads starting from the car park opposite the Village Hall at Middle Woodford in the picturesque Woodford Valley and visiting the villages of Stapleford and Berwick St James before the climb up to Druid's Lodge, site of the infamous horse racing stables in the early 20th Century, and now the home of a Polo Centre. It should take about 7 hours to complete and there is opportunity to stop for refreshments on the way around with suitable facilities in both Stapleford on the short section of the A36 and Berwick St James.
A shorter series (15kms/9.5 miles) can be completed by leaving the route at cache #21 in Stapleford village and rejoining with the CM #44. Also if you are group caching and have two cars then more options in completing the series are open to you.
All caches are placed to be found and we have included a few different cache type to keep you entertained. To protect the logs from dampness the majority of containers have been double potted therefore you may have to hunt the container for the log. Various container types have been used throughout but you need to BYOP. The D/T rating is applicable to each cache and not the series as a whole. We can confirm that are no stiles to cross but you might encounter a friendly bunch of cows near #38. You will see a lot of horses on the way around but non in the areas you will walk.
If not already found you will have the opportunity to visit these caches on route as well:
Church Micro 1862 - All Saints, Middle Woodford GC2WC0X
Village Hall Series ~362 Berwick St James GC83MKX
Pikey's Pit Stop #6 GC31H84
Cache No 23 is a Wood Geocoin container allowing you to place your wooden coins there for others to admire. Please do not remove any or do any swaps.
Should you find any damp/wet logs we are more than happy for you to replace them to keep the game going until we can get out and replace. Please make a suitable comment in your logs if you do this.
WARNINGS At times there will be wet, muddy and overgrown areas and also during the growing season expect stingers and thorns. There is a short tree climb,#6 - DSW GC5PQT0 (10' up,no equipment required) and you undertake this at your own risk so stay within your abilities. There is a puzzle cache#18 - DSW GC5PQVX which needs to be solved at home prior to taking on the series…..that is of course if you wish to find it! If completing the series in one go you will be required to cross a very busy road twice and transit a relatively busy road at the end of the series to get back to the recommended parking therefore care should be taken especially with children and animals. This is not a completely flat series and in places it is quite exposed so be prepared.
We hope you all enjoy this Series - TheTwoMotts & Wandering Druid.
For those completing the whole series and wish to add a souvenir to their profile page, kindly provided by Simon (THE KOSCIOWS), can obtain the detail from cache No 70 GC5PR1R
Now for the cache detail: This is a quick short offset multi cache to get you onto the correct route. The published cords will take you to “The Glory of God Lych Gate” where you will find a plaque from that you need the following:
A = Number of words on the first line
B = Number of words on the second line
C = Number of words on the third line
D = Number of words on the fourth line
E, F, G and H = Year on the seventh line
The cache can be found at: N 51 07.(A)(B)(H) W001 49.(F)(E)(C)
You are looking for a medium sized clip lock box.
Trailhead as footpath sign is hard to spot: N51 07.509 W001 49.890