This cache is part of a series planted for
the cache bash on 5th April 2003.
A short walk from the parking along a path created by the
Victorians called Big View Ride which seems to have been created to
celebrate Queen Victoria's visit to the forest:
Following disputes between landowners (who enclosed land)
and commoners (who had grazing and cutting rights) the Epping
Forest Act was passed in 1878. The Forest was saved by the
Corporation of London from illegal enclosure. Epping Forest ceased
to be a Royal Forest and the Crown's right to deer and venison was
terminated. Pollarding was no longer allowed although grazing
rights continued.This Act laid down a stipulation that the
Conservators (ie the Corporation of London) shall at all times keep
Epping Forest unenclosed and unbuilt on as an open space for the
recreation and enjoyment of the people. When Queen Victoria visited
Chingford on 6 May 1882 she declared "It gives me the greatest
satisfaction to dedicate this beautiful Forest to the use and
enjoyment of my people for all time" and it thus became "The
People's Forest". The Corporation of London still own and manage
Epping Forest in strict conformity with the Epping Forest Act
without any money for its upkeep coming from local rates or
taxes.
From the cache site you should just be able to make out the
spire of Waltham Abbey but you can't miss the M25. The cache is a
large Ammo box.
Please check out the
G.A.G.B and
G:UK web sites. They offer
support for all Geocachers in the UK.
Why not visit Chris's Gallery of
Epping
Forest photography