Hapton Castle Traditional Geocache
Royal Oak: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Regards
Royal Oak
Volunteer UK Reviewer
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching.com Help Center
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Situated at the bottom of Castle Clough, Hapton.
My fourth cache is located near to the supposed site of Hapton Castle, which was said to be ruinous in the early 1700s. Little remains of the castle now apart from some masonry in the bed of Castle Clough, the rest was taken away by the Towneley family. Hapton is reputed to be the first location in England to have electric street lighting.
Car Parking (a recognised picnic spot) can be found at N 53° 46.415, W 002° 19.566, this can be reached either from a road near the Hapton Inn, or from Accrington off Burnley Road (A579)- well signposted.
Now to the cache - it is at the bottom of a pleasant, if muddy, Castle Clough trail, a millenium woods project. I've located the cache at the bottom of a loop to make an enjoyable 1.2 mile circular walk.
You are advised to take the top path, on a clear day there are magnificent views of Longridge Fell and Pendle Hill. Then loop back along the bed of Castle Clough - there is a footpath but at times it is a little indistinct. Wellies are recommended as the clough has to be crossed several times on the way back. Take care on the way there - the path is some 30-40m above the bed of the clough in parts and with only occasional fencing. Oh, and did I say it was muddy? Well it is muddy even on a dry day.
PLEASE NOTE, SEVERAL CACHERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE CO-ORDS BEING OUT. I LAST VERIFIED IN MAY 2014 WHEN I REPLACED THE CACHE. MY GARMIN WAS ACCURATE, MY ANDROID PHONE WAS SOME 30 FEET OUT. THE TREE COVER AND DEPTH OF THE GORGE IS TO BLAME SO I STAND BY MY COORDS!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n pyrsg bs n ebpx bhgpebc ba gur onfr bs gur inyyrl.