Otley Observations

 Wednesday 15th January 2025               Otley Observations

As the title suggests it would be a trip to the old market town of Otley for some of the Lads today, those being John , Derek , Dave , Brian, and Glenn, Mark would be at Otley to meet them as they arrived in the town. They had took a short train journey from Leeds to Menston and then taken a ten minute bus ride into the heart of Otley rather than taking a much longer bus journey from Leeds. 

Arriving a head of schedule a brief cuppa in the bus station cafe was taken while Mark made his appearance at about 11:15. Now with all assembled our walk around the town began. First it was through the narrow lanes and alleys in close proximity to the bus station before we crossed a main road heading for the All Saints Church, close by we found our first observation that of the Navvies Memorial, an elaborate stone structure a smaller version of the Gothic north portal entrance to the Bramhope Railway Tunnel, from here we followed the pathway leading to our next observation that of the grade2 listed terrace houses built on Guycroft. From this point of interest we now made our way through the Waitrose supermarket car park and a slightly uphill climb along Burrass Lane leading onto Birdcage Walk. 

Birdcage Walk runs alongside what used to be the main railway line of bye gone days, it is now a busy link road for commuters etc. Just over half a mile along Birdcage Walk we find a footpath that would take us over this busy road and back in the direction of the town, not before passing an area where the old station platform was situated at the top of Station Road and Queens Road, yet another observation.

Once back in the town we now headed for another point of interest, that of the old Police Station and a glimpse of the old holding cells that were used for the local criminals etc. From here we continued our journey on towards our intended lunchtime venue that of Maypole Fishery to enjoy a well deserved meal.  With  meals consumed and the time approaching 2 pm it was back towards the bus station and take the next bus back in the direction of Menston not before saying farewell to Mark and thanking him for his well informed journey around his home town. It would be a nail biting bus ride back to Menston in order to catch the 14:51 train to Leeds , the five lads making it with just over a minute to spare.

Upon reflection today’s excursion to Otley was both informative and intriguing as well as doing us all good, being out and about with great company.

Cheers Everyone.