Witch hunts influenced by the church were widespread in the 1600's and in Sussex more than 200 died at the stake. Covens were very common around Wiston.
One such coven held their secret meetings in these woods, but the local Lord, Sir Tobias Scott found out about this and wanted them burned at the stake..... One fatal Halloween night in 1607 he decided to take his men into the woods to capture the witches. Unfortunately for him he was spotted by Mother Thatcher, the head witch. She was so outraged that he dare spy on them, she threw a few more ingredients into her cauldron, while the rest of her coven chanted a spell, to turn the Lord and his men to stone. When the Lord heard the chanting and saw an evil spiral of green smoke heading towards him he turned to flee, but he tripped and fell... just as the green smoke caught up with him. His screams could be heard for miles around as his body was turned to stone.
To this day there is still a fallen stone resembling the Skull of Sir Tobias Scott, ill luck will befall anybody who removes it. Only the bravest dare enter these woods at night for fear that the coven has returned.. Do you dare?
This cache will be the most fun to do in the dark, and you will be in danger of forever being known as a wussy wuss if you attempt it in daylight hours.
Follow the footpath until you come to the great Oak tree that looks as if it has seen a ghost, then you need to leave the path and follow your GPS until you reach the spot of the Witches Coven. You may well notice signs of the witches presence in the trees. Sir Tobias Scott will offer up clues to find the main cache which is no more than 50 metres away . A torch will be invaluable at night or a good cachers nose will be needed for those not brave enought to attempt this during the Witching hour. We can not be held responsible for any cachers who are turned to stone while undertaking this task