This is my first geocache, created as part of a local school Y7 house competition.
The Grangelands and Rifle Butts Nature Reserve sits along the Chilterns stretch of the Ridgeway and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). I have walked with my family through this area of the Ridgeway for 8 years and it’s one of my favourite spots, especially in the Summertime.
The Grangelands were ploughed during World War II when there was a crop shortage, but the landscape wasn’t successful for growing crops and reverted back to grassland.
The Rifle Butts, also known as the Old Kimble Rifle Range, was originally a training ground for the British Armed Forces during the 1940’s through to the 1970’s and you can still see the marks in the steep and hilly bank.
Now the Grangelands and Rifle Butts Nature Reserve is managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)* and exhibits vast banks of wild orchids and is home to many butterfly species such as the ‘Chalk-hill Blue’ - native to the Chilterns, glow-worms, and my favourite - the largest European land snail species called to ‘Roman’ snail. You can find their huge, empty shells scattered across the grassy plain of the nature reserve.
Whilst you can walk within the nature reserve livestock are often grazing, so dogs must be kept on leads. Also, to protect this special area, the micro cache is hidden outside the gated area along the signposted footpath.
There is a parking layby the opposite side of the road to Great Kimble Church, from there you can take the footpath up the steady moderate climb towards Pulpit Hill Fort and onto the Ridgeway footpath.
*Cache placed with kind permission of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).