There are 9 caches in the Brine series. This one is a drive by.
Middlewich lies on the confluence of three rivers - the Dane,
the Croco, and the Wheelock. Most importantly for the history of
salt making, it also lies on the site of a prehistoric brine
spring.
Following the Roman invasion, Middlewich was named Salinae ('salt
Pans') on account of the salt deposits around it, as it was one of
their major sites of salt production.
During this time the Romans built a fort at Harbutts Field
(SJ70216696), to the north of the town and recent excavations to
the south of the fort have found evidence of further Roman activity
including a well and part of a preserved Roman road.
Salt manufacture has remained the principal industry for the
past 2,000 years.
Salt making is mentioned in the Doomsday book, and by the 13th
century there were approximately 100 "wich houses" (“wich”or"wych"
being the Saxon word for salt) packed around the towns two brine
pits.
By 1908 there were nine industrial scale salt manufacturers in the
town, with a number of open pan salt works close to the Canal,
however salt manufacture in Middlewich is now concentrated in one
manufacturer, British Salt, who sell under the name Saxa, and also
through third parties e.g. supermarket own brands.
Salt produced by British Salt in Middlewich has 57% of the UK
market for salt used in cooking.
From the cache location you can see the salt mountain.
For more info on Middlewich’s salty history visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_salt_in_Middlewich