Four Forts Part 2 - Cockroad Wood Castle Traditional Geocache
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Four Forts Part 2 - Cockroad Wood Castle
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Four Forts is a series of caches situated on Pen Ridge, a North - South ridge, running from Alfreds Tower to Penselwood. Each cache is hidden close to the site of a castle or fort. The name of the series is heavily influenced by the amount of horse riding that takes place in the area - if you don't see a horse, you will see evidence of its passing (hoof prints - what else!)
The caches in this series are independant of each other and can be completed in any order. There is information contained in each cache which, when collected, will enable you to complete the bonus cache of Center Bugs. These caches utilise the permissive paths through the Stavordale and Stourhead Estates. An OS Landranger 183 is recommended.
The cache is just outside the site of Cockroad Wood Castle, a motte and baily castle dating from the Norman Invasion. The site contains the earthwork remains of a motte and two baileys; one to the south the other to the north west. The southern bailey appears to have been divided into three smaller enclosures and there is evidence of a slight platform at the junction of these. The land was held by Walter of Douai at the time of the Domesday survey, together with Castle Cary and Bridgwater, both of which later had a castle. By the reign of Henry II the area had become a royal forest. There is a good information board next to the castle with an interpretation of how it would have looked.
Parking for this cache is again at: 51°04.900N 002°21.001W
Recommended Footwear: You could get away with trainers if you don't mind them getting a bit muddy.
You are looking for an ammo box (it may not be the size you are expecting). Don't forget to record the info. found at the bottom of the box - you will need it for Centre Bugs.
This cache can be combined with FF Part 1. After visiting Ballands Castle, walk West to the woods at the bottom of the slope. Go past a lake and then once in the woods, head North. Following permissive footpaths, bridleways and your GPS, you should reach the cache after one kilometer approximately. Return to the car by passing to the left of a newly constructed lake and dam and heading into the village.
If you are heading to the cache directly from the parking, head West out of the village and take the lane signposted to Moldrums Ground Nature Reserve. Walk past the reserve and down to the end of the lane where you will find two gates. Go into the left hand one that leads to the Stavordale Estate and if you are following your GPS, ultimately to the cache. If you pass a newly constructed lake and dam, you are heading in the right direction.
Return to the car by reversing your route.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va gur gbc bs na byq fghzc, oruvaq gur abgvpr obneq.