Tree cover might be a problem at the final
location, as may nettles & brambles depending on the time of
year. Stay on the path(s) until you get to within a couple of
metres of the hiding place.
Recommended parking is at the waypoint below,
there is alternate parking at the other side of the fort - either
will do for this cache.
Make your way to waypoint STAGE1 (N 50° 51.323 W 001° 04.159
SU6560606620),
where you need to find a micro with the final cache location. NOTE
you do not need to cross the fence to find the the micro, crossing
the fence would be EXTREMELY dangerous due to the steep drop into
the outer ditch of the fort.
When you have the co-ordinates for the final
cache location I recommend that you keep going in your original
direction, rather than doubling back on yourself (this applies
whichever direction you approach from - it is a circular walk after
all!). Eventually you turn North, and descend the slope away from
the Fort. Once you've found the cache (or failed to find it!) keep
going in the same direction and you can make your way back to your
car without retracing your steps.
Pinto (TBNAN5) and Shaley (TBNC1V) the travel
bugs, started a Travel Bug race from here, as the two ponies
they're named after are part of the riding school in the fort.
A bit of background info on the place you're
visiting:
Fort Widley is one of the chain of “Palmerston
Forts” which were constructed towards the end of the 19th Century
to protect Portsmouth from a land attack by the French, they became
known as Palmerston's Follies after it became clear that the French
had no ambitions to invade. During this walk you'll get some idea
of the challenge that would have faced them if they did try to take
Portsmouth from the land side.
Having parked your car if you look due South
you'll see what the fort was put here to defend – Portsmouth. In
the distance you should be able to make out the Spinnaker tower,
which is easily the tallest feature in the area, this tower is at
Gunwharf Quays, now a shopping area but originally the Eastern end
of the naval dockyards where the ships of Nelson's day were sent to
have their armaments fitted. The main dockyard is just to the West
of the tower.
On the way to the first location you will have
several views over the fence into the outer ditch, which is 40-50
feet deep and just as wide, you can also see the gun ports in the
Caponiers that would have made any infantry assault suicidal. When
you arrive at the first location and you're searching for the
micro, if you look across the ditch you should be able to make out
the earth ramparts which are protecting a firing step, where there
would be dozens of riflemen taking pot shots at you if you were
attempting to attack. Also across the ditch, and slightly to the
right is a concealed mortar battery.
When descending the slope, going North, you will
see a number of horses in the fields, these belong to the riding
stables, perhaps Pinto and Shaley will be among them, or try
calling for Myer, Tia, Dollar, Molly, Cassie, Folly, Flo, Po,
Ollie, Domino, Queenie, Roma, Rolfie, Hettie, Bruce, Sprite, Polo,
Jasper or William. Note that the signs warning against entering the
fields apply to the fields only, and not to the track which runs
beside them which is part of the trail.
On a fine day you will have good views to the
North, Fort Widley was built to defend against an attack from this
direction. If you look back up the slope to the Fort and imagine
the skyline bristling with heavy guns, while at the same time the
fort is hidden from view and protected from artillery barrage by
the hill itself. Also consider that this vista would be within
range of the guns of Fort Purbrook to the East and Fort Southwick
to the West, you can see that an attack from the North would be a
dangerous affair. Luckily the forts never saw active service,
although they were used during the 1st and 2nd world wars for
various milletary installations. Many of the Forts were connected
by underground tunnels during the 2nd world war, and Fort Widley
housed a cold war bunker during the '50s and '60s.
If you'd like to see inside the fort you can
book a tour of Fort Widley though this page:
(visit link)
Alternatively if you go a few miles along the top of Portsdown Hill
you'll find Fort Nelson at N 050°51.6246 W 001°8.31
SU6073007120
which is the home of the Royal Armouries Artillery collection,
entry is free and they have lots of information and history about
the Palmerston Forts, as well as a large collection of guns of all
shapes and sizes, see here for more info:
(visit link)
