4th December Otley
Ramblers Members will get priority booking from 2nd October. Then non-members later in October and finally people who have not taken part in a Coach Ramble in 2022 will be able to book from November
VICTORIAN FAYRE, NOON TO 6:00pm
Coach parking and free information leaflets already arranged for our festive Coach Ramble.
OTLEY has its origins as a town in Saxon times, its name coming from Othe, Otho or Otta, a personal name, and the Old English for a wood clearing … but its history dates much further back.
The Wharfedale Valley was carved with the melting of Ice Age glaciers that left behind the dramatic landscapes that surround the town today. Otley’s position in the Lower Wharfe valley in the Yorkshire Dales means it is perfectly placed for all sorts of fun opportunities in the great outdoors: walking in the Chevin forest above Otley, along the river or on a longer trail.
Otley was one of the first nationally accredited Walkers are Welcome towns when it received the designation in 2009. Thanks to the varied landscapes around the town, it is perfect for walkers with different interests and fitness levels. Visitors can take leisurely strolls by the river to challenging hikes over the Chevin or across the wider Wharfedale Valley. The local Walkers are Welcome group has developed and published a number of walks which start and finish in Otley. These include Otley Four Walks (3-6 miles); Otley Four More Walks (6-9 miles). More information on The Great Outdoors.
There is plenty of History and Heritage to discover and information HERE. From Emmerdale to Heartbeat…Otley is quite the movie star with many famous TV shows and films being filmed on the cobbled streets of the quaint West Yorkshire market town. You can visit the LOCATIONS.
From artisan ales to prize-winning pies…check HERE. And, of course, walking and cake go hand in hand, so make sure to check out some of the wonderful cafes and tearooms, pick up some fish ‘n’ chips, or even visit one of the fabulous pubs for lunch. See BUY IN OTLEY for local businesses.
Full details of the walks available will appear here shortly
B Walk Leader: Tony Culverhouse 10 miles Moderate
First Off – We leave the coach in Ilkley and walk-up Wells Road on to Ilkley Moor (Baht ‘at) towards the Millennium Way (there are many Ways and long-distance routes in the Wharfdale area) then we loop around to Burley-in-Wharfdale which is set amongst some delightful countryside. From here continue on our way to Askwith village which lies north-west of Otley. We then take the final stage of our ramble towards the River Wharf and into Otley to enjoy the Victorian Fayre.
C Walk Leader: Graham Wrigglesworth 7-8 miles Easy to Moderate
We leave Otley on the Pool road, where we take East Busk Lane to walk on the old railway track towards Pool, leaving the old line we continue to Pool through fields to our lunch stop at Pool. After lunch we leave Pool crossing the Wharf and head up through the fields to Leathley (noted for its Alms houses and church). Following the road back to Leathley bridge, a left turn takes us to the River Wharf which we follow back to Otley passing through Wharf Meadows Park allowing time to admire Otley's weir before recrossing the Wharf back to Otley town centre.
D Walk Leader: Michael Counter 6 miles Moderate
We alight the coach in Otley and using a street route arrive at the disused railway line which is followed for half a mile. We now leave the old line and following field paths to reach Caley New Hall and then it’s on to Pool Bank. After crossing the Leeds Road our route now uses the Ebor Way to walk steadily up through Chevin Forest Park. The East Chevin Road is crossed, and we continue gradually to climb towards Surprise View on The Chevin. The views from this point are a panorama of the Wharfedale valley with Otley nestling below. Our final journey is to follow good paths but steep back down into Otley.
This walk does involve a steady climb up to the top of The Chevin 925ft, but the route is gradual.
As this is a Festive trip we will leave at 5:30pm so we can enjoy the Fayre.
PICKUP TIMES AND POINTS
BLACKBURN Coach
08:00 Darwen: Boots Duckworth St
08:05 Darwen: Lynwood Avenue
08:10 Ewood: Empire Theatre
08:15 Blackburn: Penny Street
08:20 Oswaldtwistle: Black Dog
08:30 Oswaldtwistle: The Civic Theatre
08:35 Accrington: Whalley Rd, Kwik Fit4
08:40 Accrington: Victoria Hospital
08:50 Rishton: The Roebuck
08:50 Gt Harwood: LYNDON HOUSE
08:55 Whalley: King Street
09:00 Clitheroe: York Street
09:20 Barnoldswick & Meetup Point
BURNLEY Coach
08:02 Padiham: Town Hall
08:05 Padiham: Whitegates
08:10 Burnley: Tim Bobbin
08:15 Burnley: Bus Station
08:20 Burnley: Brennand Street
08:30 Brierfield: Town Hall
08:35 Nelson: Bus Station
08:35 Nelson: Walton Lane/Leeds Rd
08:40 Barrowford: Heritage Centre
08:45 Colne: Alkincoates
08:50 Colne: Library
08:50 Colne: Bus Station
09:00 Barnoldswick pickup & Meetup Point
09:20 Barnoldswick & Meetup Point