John Rylands Library - Manchester Multi-cache

Enriqueta Rylands’ neo-Gothic splendour was designed as a lasting memorial to her husband. Building plans were drafted in just one week, but it took a further ten years before the official public opening. This extended timescale reflected Enriqueta’s commitment and attention to detail in creating not only a fitting monument (one that recognised John’s contribution to the City), but also a building of true grandeur.

One of the finest libraries in the world, The John Rylands Library has been acclaimed as a leading example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe. Four elements combine to complement each other to dramatic effect in the neoGothic building. Cumbrian sandstone, known as Shawk, which ranges in colour from soft grey to rose pink; the best Polish oak, from the region of Gdansk; white moulded plasterwork; and bronze cast in the Art Nouveau style for light fittings, unique radiator grilles and other metalwork.

Although it is easy to wax lyrical and at length about the building itself, as impressive as its architecture are its collections: the rare printed texts that include preserved papyrus fragments, the letters of local author Elizabeth Gaskell and an original Gutenberg Bible. Part of The University of Manchester, over 250,000 items are stored here – spanning five millennia – alongside a further one million manuscripts and the archives of local families of note, including the letters and documents of the Earls of Stamford (of nearby Dunham Massey fame).

Visitor opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am to 5pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed

Notes: The library is free to enter, but the latest allowed entry to the Library is at 4.45pm.
Photography is allowed within The John Rylands Library, except in the exhibition galleries. You must not use flash or tripods anywhere in the building.
No dogs are permitted in the Library except assistance dogs.

To find this cache look for the statues overlooking the Reading Room and starting with John Bunyan in the North West corner, number the statues 1 to 20 working clockwise around the room.

Cache is hidden at...

N53 Martin Luther, Johann Gutenberg, William Shakespeare minus Isaac Newton, John Milton, Thales of Miletus minus John Milton
W002 Francis Bacon, John Wycliffe, Francis Bacon minus Isaac Newton, Homer

Do not include the white marble statues of Mr and Mrs Rylands in your calculations, although extra kudos awarded for photos of entertaining poses with them - but do it quietly! You are in a library after all !

The cache is a short walk from the Library and contains an unactivated trackable tag for the first to find.