WRW #10: Old Stone Bridge Multi
***Please note that the given coordinates are not for the final . . . but for parking at the southern end of the bridge***
This cache and the next 11 in the series are hidden on the Dales Way which starts at the southern end of the bridge and continues for some 135 km (84 miles) across the Yorkshire Dales to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.
The cache, a small camo’ed click ‘n’ lock, is hidden in a tree on the north bank a short distance from this historic (now) footbridge across the river Wharfe.
To reach the cache area: park near the southern end of the bridge @ N 53 55.719 W 1 49.821 or the northern end @ N 53 55.767 W 1 49.828.
The Old Bridge, a two-arch stone bridge, was originally a packhorse bridge built in 1675, close to the ford by which the Roman road to Boroughbridge crossed the River Wharfe. At this location over hundreds of years prior to the construction of the stone bridge (back to Roman times and possibly earlier) there was a succession of wooden bridges all washed away in the periodic flooding of the river. Marks on the bridge show the levels of various floods over the years.
See here for a short video of the December 2015 floods particularly showing the area at the north (Middleton) end of the bridge - the flooded area and river flow volume is impressive.
Step 1: head a little down Dales Way to N 53 55.733 W 1 49.874, the location of a bench in memory of a lady Sinologist who passed away in 201A
Step 2: return to N 53 55.723 W 1 49.843 where there is a stone seat marking the start of the long-distance walk. The number of letter 'A's on the plaque attached to this = B
Step 3: a short distance away is a Dales Way footpath sign at N 53 55.725 W 1 49.838 which states that the distance to its endpoint is C2 miles
Step 4: now move across to N 53 55.730 W 1 49.825, the location of a lamp post with the number D on it
Step 5: cross over the bridge to N 53 55.760 W 1 49.811 where you will note that E stone pillars are supporting the wooden fence on the east side of the bridge.
Step 6: finally move across to N 53 55.758 W 1 49.842 where you will be above the Ilkley Flow Gauging Station for the River Wharfe. The large number in red at the top of the highest measure = F
Note 28/5/24: it seems this number is now very faint, but still visible - if you look closely!
The cache is hidden at: N 53 55.EA(B-1) W 1 49.C(F+4)D
