LONDON residents are being urged to crack a ‘near impossible’ riddle about the county to earn the coveted title of ‘London’s Best Riddle Code Breaker’.

Created by riddle and code breaker enthusiast, Nathan Timblin, is a series of mind-boggling riddles that together reveal the location of a secret destination in London. The riddles were created by Nathan earlier this year to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of the late Alan Turing (23 June 1912) this summer. Turing is a famous British mathematician, computer scientist and Nazi code breaker.

The first person to crack the code and submit the correct answer for the secret London location to Nathan at his place of work, Cofton Holidays, will be awarded the coveted title of ‘London’s Best Riddle Code Breaker’, alongside an award.

Nathan at Cofton Holidays said: “My mates at Cofton call me the ‘Master Riddler’ as I’m always challenging them to solve riddles that I make up on my lunch break. We heard that it would have been Turing’s 110th birthday this summer had he still been with us, and as my colleagues are yet to successfully solve any of my riddles, they’ve challenged me to open it up to the public to see just how difficult they are to crack. My boss Chris bets that no one will be able to solve them, so he’s promised to give away a free week’s stay in our best lodge during peak season.”

As well as being awarded the title of ‘London’s Best Riddle Code Breaker’, the first person to correctly submit the secret London location will also get a gift hamper – and everyone who submits the correct location will be entered into a nationwide ballot to win a one week stay at Cofton Holidays, the London holiday park where Nathan works. The one-week stay will be in a luxury dog-friendly lodge with a hot tub for up to four people (and two dogs) during peak summer season next year.

In total, there are five riddles to crack, the answers to which collectively reveal a secret location in London. The first riddle has already been made public (below) and the four other riddles will be released on the Cofton Holidays website each Monday.

These are the five London riddles:

Riddle 1:

There is an element within me,
That’s gentle or strong, can whip a tree.
I am invisible to the naked eye,
But listen closely, hear me sigh,
Devastation I may bring,
You use me with your feathered wing,
What am I?

Riddle 2:

I am an extension of your home,
Or a public space, I might feature a gnome!
Enjoyed by many in private or not,
Sunbathe in me when it’s hot,
Award winning, or sculptured and natural too,
There is one out there that’s close to you!
What am I?

Riddle 3:

I am in weather but you must join with me for bread,
In kitchens worldwide on counters I’m spread!
Grind me down fine, have you got my measure?
Toast, cake or chicken wings, enjoy me at your leisure!
Chickpea or chestnut I can be but did you know that?
Too much of me could make you get fat!
What am I?

Riddle 4:

My destination is far away,
With seas of blue where palm trees sway,
For my name is an island set,
Our history we will never forget,
A cultural hub, delicious food,
And where Victoria does conclude!
What am I?

Riddle 5:

I’m not totally square but this is my root,
Guess me and you’ll be astute!
This is my date, my birth you see,
The last one working I will be!
42.614551505325

The person who takes the best photo of themselves in the correct London destination and posts it publicly on social media will also be given £250 to spend at Cofton Holidays.

Nathan is also urging fellow local code breakers to do London proud by solving riddles about nine other areas of the county to compete for the national title of ‘Great Britain’s Best Riddle Breaker’. To secure this title, entrants must be the first to crack ‘near impossible’ riddles about London, Cornwall, Devon, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Liverpool, Bristol and Bath.