Walk to Gallow Hill

Walk from Otley Bus Station with Rob.

Join Rob for a 5 mile circular walk from the centre of Otley calling on Gallows Hill. Gallows Hill Nature Reserve occupies a strip of land on the south side of the River Wharfe east of Otley. It is signed to the left off Pool Road, just after the cemetery on the way out of Otley. It consists of areas of trees, scrub and nettle beds with a pond, providing a variety of habitats important to birds, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies. History of the site, it gets its name from its use as a site of execution as far back as Anglo-Saxon times. During the reign of Henry I (1100-1135) the Archbishop of York had the power to execute thieves caught in the Manor of Otley. The last execution took place in 1614. Much of the area is situated on the old Sewage works sludge beds. Otley Town Council purchased the land from Yorkshire Water Authority in 1987/8. There was considerable investment to remove toxic materials followed by a programme of development including construction of a pond, and tree and hedging planting.  On the route back we will cross the Pool Road and walk up a gently sloping farm drive to cross a couple of sheep fields to the route of the old Arthington to Otley Railway line.  This will take us to the Cambridge Housing estate and Otley Bus station. We are spoilt for choice for cafes and pubs in Otley and will decide en route.  Buses back to Leeds are half hourly.

Rob intends to catch an  X84 bus timetabled to leave  Leeds at 10.30 am.  and will be  joining the bus in Headingley around 10.49 and arriving in Otley at 11.14  in good time for a cup of coffee. Please note that due to chaotic works going on in central Leeds the X84/X85 does not start from the bus station. According to the information from Metro the X84 and X85 buses now start their route on Albion Street (opposite St John Centre). The online timetable says that they leave from Stand J3 but last time he was  at that bus stop there was a paper notice stating that from 28th September they will start from Stand L1 (a bit further up the road, just beyond the junction with Great George Street). You may have to check both stops. They’re only 100 yards apart.There is one later X84 bus that should get you there just in time, leaving Leeds (Albion Street) at 11.05 and arriving in Otley at 11.52.  There is usually ample car parking to be found near the bus station. There are public toilets behind the bus station (30p) or in the Wetherspoons pub, the Bowling Green, which should  be open. Please bring suitable walking gear, water and a packed lunch. “Autumn” would seem to be a suitable theme for optional poems/songs/readings.

Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.  For any further information please contact Rob on 0113 216 4492.

Gallows Hill Nature Reserve, Otley.