Historical Treasure Hunting
Geocaching
Are you looking for a new activity to persuade your children to go outside? Or are you looking for a new way to explore the history of your area? Then geocaching might be the answer.
There are millions of caches hidden all over the world, including dozens in Hadleigh and Thundersley, and anyone can use their phone to find them. It doesn’t even cost anything to get started.
Geocaching Adventure Labs are virtual caches that take you on a walk around an area, telling you something about the area and asking you to look for the answers to questions.
Using some of the wonderful information that I found on this website (and others), I have created a series of Adventure Labs in Hadleigh all about James “Cunning” Murrell.
All you have to do is install the free app and you can walk around Hadleigh reading stories about James, and then search for more fascinating adventures further afield. They aren’t all history based (my series in Hadleigh Great Wood is nature themed), but most of them are, and they can help you see things you’ve never noticed before. For more information, go to labs.geocaching.com or search for the app.
If you prefer to find physical treasure, you can look for geocaches, which are containers ranging from tiny magnetic pots the size of your fingertip, to ammo cans, and even a walk-in garage! Frequently they are film pots (who remembers when cameras used film?) and small lunch boxes. Sometimes it is a box in a camouflaged bag, but sometimes it is disguised as a stick or a bird box or anything the owner can think of. The possibilities are endless, but they all have one thing in common – the logsheet inside for you to sign, so don’t forget your pen. The larger ones also have treasure which is great fun for children – the only rule is that you must swap it for something else. Party bag toys are perfect things to take to swap.
For more information, go to geocaching.com
We are very lucky in Hadleigh in that there are many geocaches here with a historical theme – by the Kingsway Cinema, by the Roundhouse and around the castle and country park. To get started, all you have to do is download the Geocaching app and create an account.
You’ll be amazed when you realise how many there are nearby. Some will be in places you visit all the time and some will take you to places you never knew were there, which is for me the best thing about geocaching. There are lots of other variations as well – puzzles that you have to solve at home to find out where the cache is, puzzles to get them open, questions to answer about geology, caches up trees or in tunnels – there’s something for everyone.
Your caching adventure awaits!
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