Ilkley Tarns #1: Craig Tarn - East Side
The cache, a small camo-taped plastic pot, is hidden beyond the eastern end of this scenic tarn (aka Ilkley Tarn) situated on the lower slopes of Ilkley Moor.
To reach the cache location: park at or near the end of Craiglands Road @ N 53 55.195 W 1 48.817, pass through the gate, head up the steps and follow the trail heading south-west up to the tarn.
Access by baby strollers would be possible from the DalesWay Link starting off Wells Road @ N 53 55.243 W 1 49.336 then branching off left up the paved track to the tarn @ N 53 55.221 W 1 49.308.
The attractive tarn, with its superb view over the town, was developed as an ornamental feature of the town from a moorland pond and bog and was completed in 1874. There used to be a fountain on the central island and during colds winters the tarn was a paradise for ice-skaters.
Although its days as a Victorian hotspot are over, people still visit the tarn to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the area. Above the tarn is wild moorland, and below are some impressive Victorian villas, including some which were famous hydrotherapy establishments (eg. Craiglands House, Troutbeck Hotel and Wells House.
QI: The '47' grid line on Ordnance Survey maps neatly bisects the tarn across the east-west axis.