Ilkley Lido Multi
The cache, a small black-taped screw-topped plastic pot, is hidden in an small oak tree by the side of a small trail not far from the public footpath running through the lido from Denton Road towards Middleton Woods.
*** Please look out for muggles as you carry out your caching operations and ensure the cache is safely & securely replaced in the correct location - thanks! ***
To find the cache:
Step 1: after parking at a convenient spot in the large free car park outside the lido entrance, head for N 53 55.914 W 1 49.251 to the right of this where you will see a large yellow life-saving box on the wall. Looking at the right-hand side of the keypad, the 5th number down = A.
Steps 2 & 3: now move across to N 53 55.925 W 1 49.273 the location of a source of intense illumination. The number of floodlights providing this = B
Turn around at the same location and note that the number of benches overlooking the bowling green = C
Step 4: continue a short distance to N 53 55.929 W 1 49.338 where you will find another metal lamp post. The alphanumeric value of the 1st (or 3rd) letter of the 6-letter name of the maker of this = D
Step 5: move on to N 53 55.950 W 1 49.268 where you will be standing in front of secured green metal gates. The date at the top of the faded sign attached to the gate = 20E0
Step 6: finally walk over to the 'canine cooperation' sign at N 53 55.964 W 1 49.240. On the back of this is a small square plastic sticker with a word in green ink (known to many geocachers) repeated F times around the sides.
The cache can be found at:
N 53 55.(Bx3)(C+E)(F-C) W 1 49.(D+1)A(B+C)
One of only 127 Lidos remaining in England, and now a listed Grade II building, Ilkley Lido opened in May 1935 as part of the King George V Silver Jubilee celebrations.
It is set in a scenic, parkland location between two cricket ovals and various tennis courts. Across the road lies the ground of Ilkley Rugby Club. It also has a 1970s indoor pool.
Designed by Frank Skinner, Ilkley's District Borough Surveyor, the buildings around the pool are designed in a vernacular style, rather than Art Deco or Moderne, while the pool itself, 46m across at its widest point, is an unusual sliced mushroom-shape, which allowed water polo to be played in the deeper, rectangular end. The fact that the pool is not square also adds to its architectural interest and rarity. The original aerator is still in use in the centre of the pool - whereas most aerators elsewhere have been decommissioned or fenced
off from public access.
It has remained open since then from May - September each year and attracted up to 150,000 visits annually - of course the figure varies greatly depending on the weather. On a hot summer's day it may have up to 4,000 visitors, and has been voted one of the top 10 lidos in the country.
The water temperature is from around 14C rising to 22C degrees at its peak. It has a large shallow area for children and beginners, which also benefits from the heat of the sun. The deep area is suitable for water polo. There used to be a standard (14’ 6″) diving board and a small baby chute but they were removed to comply with current health and safety legislation.
It was built to the prevailing Amateur Swimming Association (now Swim England) standards of the time and is one of the largest unheated pools in the country.
The water handling and treatment system, including a large riveted sand filtration vessel is substantially as originally installed. The 'rare example of a still unscreened fountain' that was an integral part of the original filtration system is still in place. The water is filtered, sterilized and returned to the Pool continuously, with all the water being treated every six hours.
Another noteworthy feature on site is the lido café, which has glazed concertina doors which open onto an elevated sun terrace. When opened in August 1935, the 100-seater café was run by Taylor's of Harrogate. This building remains unchanged externally.
In August 1966, it was used as the venue for one of the heats of the popular 'It's a Knockout' TV competition contested by teams from Ilkley and Otley (who won 15-3).