Geocaching for families

Visitors finding a geocache box at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire — Visitors finding a geocache box | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Geocaching is like a treasure hunt for the digital generation, where you can enjoy the freedom of being outside and exploring new places. More and more people are discovering how much fun it is, and all you need is a handheld GPS and a sense of adventure.

What is a geocache?

A geocache or ‘cache’ is a small waterproof treasure box hidden outdoors. Geocachers seek out these hidden goodies guided by a GPS-enabled device, which uses coordinates, or ‘waypoints’ downloaded from the geocaching.com website. Alternatively, you can use a free geocaching app, if you prefer.

So once you’ve found the treasure box, what will you find inside? The satisfaction of finding the box is a reward in itself, and most caches have a logbook for you to leave a message in. You’ll also often find an array of trinkets that people have left to swap. If you take a treasure out of the box, you should leave another in its place, so come prepared.

Whether on the side of a windswept mountain or on an expanse of beach, there are geocaches hidden across the UK, including hundreds on land we look after. Many of our places have GPS devices available for you to try geocaching for free.

Get started with geocaching

You'll need a GPS device (or smartphone) – don't forget batteries
Find a cache near you on geocaching.com (you’ll need to sign up)
Choose a cache and enter the co-ordinates into your GPS
Follow your GPS towards the location, then use your wits to find the exact spot
Fill in the logbook and return the cache to its hiding place
Log your find on opencache.uk and pick your next one!

A woman and two children walking down a path towards the camera — A family hunting for their next geocache | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Where to go geocaching

Acorn Bank, Lake District: Within the 180 acres of woodland and parkland at Acorn Bank, you'll find a wide variety of trees along the woodland paths, hidden views – and six geocaches to discover.Try geocaching at Acorn Bank
Bembridge and Culver Downs, Isle of Wight: Call upon your best detective skills and use them to track down the geocaches that are hidden up on Bembridge and Culver Downs at the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight.Try geocaching at Bembridge and Culver Downs
Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire: There are geocaches hidden away along two separate trails that lead around the rocks, and through the moorland and woodland of Brimham Rocks. One is for novices and the other is for those who like a bit of a challenge.Try geocaching at Brimham Rocks
Cadover Bridge, Devon: Savour the far-reaching views of Dartmoor and beyond on the rugged moors near Cadover Bridge. As well as geocaching while you're on Dartmoor, you could try letterboxing – a classic moorland activity.Try geocaching at Cadover Bridge
Clent Hills, Birmingham: There are four caches hidden around the Clent Hills countryside haven in the heart of the busy Midlands, with miles of footpaths, bridleways and trails offering panoramic views over the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders.Try geocaching at Clent Hills
Durham Coast, County Durham: What will you uncover as you're searching for geocaches among the rare flora and fauna on the Durham coastline, and at Blast Beach, the restored site of a former colliery? Be careful not to disturb any wildlife.Try geocaching on the Durham Coast
Flatford, Suffolk: Spend an invigorating afternoon beside the beautiful River Stour, pinpointing the correct coordinates to help you track down the Flatford Mill geocaches. Don't forget to bring trinkets to leave in the boxes when you find them. Equipment is available for taster sessions, but must be booked in advance.Try geocaching at Flatford
Fowey Estuary, Cornwall: Challenge yourself to find all the geo-treasures hidden along dramatic stretches of the South West Coast Path that weave through woodlands and around creeks on both sides of the Fowey Estuary.Try geocaching at Fowey Estuary

Children geocaching on Marsden Moor Estate, West Yorkshire. One holds a device, with a stream flowing in the background between rocks and grass — Children geocaching using the specialist equipment available | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Godrevy, Cornwall: Explore miles of beach and clifftop walking routes across Godevry's wild heathlands to track down the geocaches secreted in this quiet corner of Cornwall.Try geocaching at Godrevy
Golden Cap, Dorset: Enjoy spectacular views in all directions from Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast, as you focus on using the co-ordinates to help you find all the geocaches tucked away here.Try geocaching at Golden Cap
Hatfield Forest, Essex: Hatfield is the best surviving example of a medieval royal hunting forest, and home to 14 hidden geocaches. They're available to find between April and October.Try geocaching at Hatfield Forest
Lansallos, Cornwall: See how many geocaches you can find on the quiet stretch of Cornish coastline at Lansallos, which is only a stone's throw from the popular fishing village of Looe.Try geocaching at Lansallos
Mount Stewart, County Down: Discover the biggest cluster of geocaches in Northern Ireland – more than 40 in total – at Mount Stewart. Some are fairly straightforward to find, while you'll need to solve some puzzles to uncover others.Try geocaching at Mount Stewart
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight: Take in panoramic sea views as you track down the geocaches on the open downland and sheer chalk cliffs at the Needles Headland and Tennyson Down. There’s even one hidden among the exhibits at the Old Battery.Try geocaching at The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Penshaw Monument, Tyne & Wear: Get your thinking cap on and solve the puzzles that'll lead you right to a special geocache hidden at the striking Penshaw Monument in the North East.Try geocaching at Penshaw Monument
Polperro, Looe and Whitsand Bay, Cornwall: A great way to explore what Polperro, Looe and Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall have to offer – from great surfing beaches to idyllic fishing villages – is to solve the clues and find the hidden geocaches.Try geocaching at Polperro, Looe and Whitsand Bay
Wray Castle, Cumbria: Go geocaching through the woodland in the grounds of mock-Gothic Wray Castle by Lake Windermere. You're on the hunt for eight medium-sized caches, and the search finishes with a puzzle for you to solve.Try geocaching at Wray Castle

Children exploring the pond in the Italian Garden at Mount Stewart

Enjoy some family fun

Looking for places the whole family will enjoy? Discover family-friendly cycling trails, places to get closer to nature and historic buildings where you can learn about the past.

Plan your visit