Millennium Green Multi
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden on the upper edge of these lovely and popular gardens set in a fine location between the town to the north and the Rombald's Moors to the south.
It was hidden in recognition of Santos L Helper's cache GC1KJQP The Find of the Milennium which was hidden on 8/1/09 and archived (thereby allowing the placing of this cache) on 18/9/20 after over 10 years and 8 months . . . and an amazing 611 finds, making it the most found cache in Ilkley.
For more info on this historic and iconic location, see my nearby GC8D0A4 Ilkley Historical Multi #4: South - Darwin Gardens cache.
Parking is available kerbside at or near Step 1 or in the main car park nearby.
Step 1: at the published coordinates N 53 55.170 W 1 49.442 is an information board with a map of the gardens. The number of picnic tables shown on this (in 2 locations) or the number of footbridges over the beck = A
Step 2: head for the nearby footbridge @ N 53 55.170 W 1 49.452 where you will see a small plaque. In the centre of this is an object/emblem which is also the name of the company which supported the viewpoint & seating area. The number of letters in this name = B
26/5/22 Update: the plaque has disappeared following footbridge renovations so use B=5
Step 3: from here walk a short distance west to a lovely weeping willow tree @ N 53 55.161 W 1 49.489 under which you will find a small memorial plaque. Using the dates provided, calculate how many years old Laura Ann was when she passed away. The sum of these two figures = C
Step 4: now move back to the grassy area @ N 53 55.174 W 1 49.463 where you will see another small plaque to the memory of Jack Bloor. At the bottom of this is a 6 digit number. The number of 6s in this number = D
Step 5: close by @ N 53 55.175 W 1 49.457 you will see a large decorative plaque for the Darwin Gardens Trust featuring a man chilling out seated on a low wall taking in the scenery, with dates and 5 names. Mr Bailey has an unusual name, the number of Gs in which =E
Step 6: for the final step, stretch your legs a little as you walk down and across to N 53 55.201 W 1 49.414 the location of a fine carved sculpture looking out with its single 'eye' over the maze's inscribed individual stones.
On the western side of this is a circular carved inscription of a saying starting 'Strait The Gate . . .'. The total number of words in this inscription = F
The cache is hidden at:
N 53 55.(D-E)(F-4)(B-5) W 1 49.(B-1)(C-A)E
QI: during your caching activities in the area you may notice a large chunky stone building on the moor side of Wells Road. This is the Pump House, a water pumping station built in 1848, which belonged to Yorkshire Water who got permission to convert it into a dwelling.
After the developer did this it was sold in 2008 and in the 12 years since it has had two major makeovers applying contemporary design to stunning effect.