INWT #11: Myddelton Lodge
This is the 11th of a 13-cache series which takes you on a 4.3km trail around some of the lovely countryside between Middleton and Austby immediately to the northwest of Ilkley above the north bank of the Wharfe. Allowing for an easy pace, stopping for caches | to admire the view | spot birds the trail should take you about 3 hours or so.
See GC8Q381 Ilkley NorthWest Trail #1: Intro & Start for background info on the trail and parking waypoints. See Gallery for a map of the trail showing parking spots and approximate cache locations.
The cache, a small camo-taped screw-capped plastic pot, is hidden in a small copse across the road from this historic lodge, variously also spelled Middleton Lodge or Myddleton Lodge.
To reach the cache location:
If doing the series in sequence: from #10 pass through the woodland gate and head left (east) along the lane. At the junction, cross over the road and pick up the trail passing diagonally to the right (SW) between the houses leading to a small copse of mature trees where the cache is hidden.
If doing as a one-off Park 'n' Grab: park @ P2 in the small lay-by adjacent to the cache location.
The Lodge in Print . . .
From the Telegraph and Argus of 24/1/11:
One of Ilkley’s most historic buildings was back on sale with a reduced price of nearly £2.5 million.
The Grade I listed Myddelton Lodge, north of the River Wharfe, dates back to 1260 and was home for centuries to one of the town’s most famous families, the Middletons (see link below).
The lodge has 6 bedrooms, 4 reception rooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and a library on almost 6 acres of land. It had been on sale in 2010 for about £3 million, but failed to sell.
The Middleton family who used to live there owned the whole of Ilkley effectively, or the land that became Ilkley. Its history is very much entwined with the town.
It was purchased as a spiritual retreat in 1922 and later sold to the Diocese of Leeds, which put the property on the market 11 years ago with a guide price of £750,000. Neglected in the 1990s, it was later restored by Mark and Janet Sayer, who won a conservation award from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
From the Telegraph & Argus 26/5/2007:
Myddleton Lodge was named winner in the Building Conservation category. Constructed by the Myddleton family in the 16th century, the iconic building served as a Catholic retreat for centuries before falling into disrepair in the late 20th century. Extensive restoration work was carried out on the grade I listed building to conserve the internal and external fabric of the building - repairing decades of damage caused by the likes of dry rot and crumbling masonry'. It was then put on the market for £2.85m.
From the Ilkley Gazette in 1882:
By the kindness of Mr W Middelton the Bradford Historical and Antiquarian Society was enabled to visit Middelton Lodge in Ilkley. The party were shown different objects of interest in the grounds. Among these were three stones for grinding corn, an altar which had been taken out of the Wharfe and supposed to be of Saxon origin, dedicated to Verbeia, the Goddess of the Wharfe.
From Myddelton Lodge and Myddelton Grange by James M Hagerty:
' From the 16th-19th century, the Middeltons of Myddelton Lodge sustained the Catholic faith in and around Ilkley. The Middeltons were recusants which meant that they held to their faith in spite of hostile legislation and cruel repression.
Often in danger of death and at great financial cost, the Middeltons led and supported the Catholic community in Wharfedale during penal times. Benedictine chaplains resided at the Lodge and a chapel and school were provided. After Catholic Emancipation in 1829 the Middeltons continued to support local Catholics and in 1879 endowed the Church of the Sacred Heart.
The Cross and Passion Fathers restored a Catholic presence at the Lodge in 1922 when it became St. Paul's Retreat. Until 1985 it was a seminary, a monastery and a retreat house. The Passionists also ministered to the parish of the English Martyrs in Addingham. The Sisters of the Cross and Passion had begun their ministry in Ilkley in 1899.
The story of the Lodge continued with its opening as a pastoral centre by the Diocese of Leeds and now the 
nearby Myddelton Grange continues the Catholic tradition . . .'
See here for a definitive, detailed and fascinating history of the Middleton family and of the Lodge. See here (pp8-12) for a comprehensive account of the history of Middleton including the Middleton family.