Hambleden Hidey-Hole Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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(Note – the final part of this mystery cache is NOT suitable for bikes, buggies or small children due to a very steep hill climb – but worth the effort for everyone else due to the fabulous view from the top
This is a Mystery Cache – co-ordinates given above are for the free car parking)
The village of Hambleden is picture postcard territory. Unspoilt by the ravages of time, Hambleden has been the backdrop for many a famous film, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sleepy Hollow. The village has so much character but for me a visit to the Stag and Hunstman pub is the highlight. I won’t say why – just go visit yourself and you’ll fall in love with the area too.
Take a visit to www.thehambledenestate.com for a more detailed description of this idyllic place.
To help the eager cacher I’ve arranged a tour of village landmarks, this cache asks you to find numbered clues around the village – these will help you compile the final co-ordinates.
In the following, each clue results in a number. You are looking for a single digit for each clue. If the clue results in a number with two digits or more, simply add all the digits together. If the result is still more than a single digit, then repeat the addition until you only have one digit.
Example: Great fire of London=1666 1+6+6+6=19 1+9=10 1+0=1 Answer=1
You might want to jot your single digit answers here for easy reference…
A B C D E F G H J
Our journey begins…
There is a free public car-park at N51.34.331 W0.52.112
Leave the car-park and wander past the Stag and Huntsman Pub (or pop in for a drink or a fantastic meal!). Count the number of hounds on one side of the pub sign. This is clue A.
Continue down the part-cobbled street. What is the number of the house between the old Butchers and the Garage? This is clue B
On the street corner are some direction signs. How far to Frieth? This is clue C
Now wander down to the Memorial near the Church. On the nearby bench is a plaque commemorating the year of Hambleden Parish Council Centenary. In what year? This is clue D
Now cross the street and go to the Village Stores and Post Office. On the opposite side of the street is a bench engraved with WI and two dates. Subtract the smaller year from the larger. This is clue E
To the right of the bench (assuming you are sitting on it facing the Post Office) are two concrete markers against the wall at shin height. What is the FIRST digit (ie leftmost) on the bottom row of numbers (it’s the same for both markers). This is clue F
Now wander back towards the Church and take the left turn. This will take you round past the old Bakery. Continue to the far corner of the Churchyard (N51.34.395 W0.52.249).
How many ‘points’ are there on top of the church gate here. This is clue G
Over the road is a yellow H sign. What is the upper number? (ignore the hand-written number) This is clue H
Now take a walk back through the Churchyard – take the left hand path. Exit the Churchyard – on the other side of the road is the birthplace of James Thomas Bradenell who led the Charge of the Light Brigade. When was he born? This is clue J
Congratulations – you now have all the answers you need to build the final co-ordinates of the cache. Go find it!!!!
Cache can be found at
N51.CG.EHH W000.D1.FJC
A word of warning – once out of the village PLEASE keep to the path marked CHILTERN WAY. The land around here belongs to Hambleden Estates and is private so stick to the marked paths. You are looking for a small film-canister-sized container.
The cache is at the top of a steep hill climb. There is heavy tree cover in summer so GPS a bit erratic but I’ve done my best to get as accurate as possible (Decipher the clue if you want to play safe)
Enjoy the walk.
Starkey444
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba ernpuvat gur jbbqf ng gur gbc bs gur pyvzo, lbh jvyy frr n gnyy qrnq gerr ba yrsg evtug ol gur cngu, jnyx n shegure 60 cnprf. Pnpur vf 20 srrg sebz cngu ba yrsg. Onfr bs gerr