Fungus hunting at Otley Gallows Hill Nature Reserve

Gallows Hill Nature Reserve, Otley

This super little gem of a nature reserve is a great pushchair friendly walk.

You can also extend the walk and head over to Otley Riverside park!

Where is Otley Gallows Hill Nature Reserve?

Tucked away next to the River Wharfe, on the way out of Otley, you’ll find this gem of a pushchair friendly walk! It has options too!

You can either park at the small nature reserve car park (see location below), or you can park at Wharfeside Park in Otley and walk from there. If you do that, you’ll be able to squeeze in a play at the park, ducks to feed, ice cream and in the summer you can even hire a boat!.

Read on for more about this walk which packs plenty of punch for a little legs wander.

One of the information boards at the Otley Nature Reserve

Walk details for Otley Gallows Hill

Distance: Nature Reserve alone approximately 1 mile. Nature Reserve, park and ducks, approximately 2 miles

Terrain: Easy well maintained pushchair friendly paths. Some may get muddy underfoot, so wellies recommended!

Parking: Either Gallows Hill Nature Reserve car park on Mill Way, or Otley Wharfe Meadows Park on Farnley Lane.

Public Transport: Otley has a regular bus service. The nearest stop is on Farnely lane near Prince Henry’s Grammar School.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Location: Otley

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley.

What 3 Words: Wharfe Meadows Park parking: guitar.readers.plotter Nature Reserve Parking: enjoys.tenses.teachers

Toilets/ Baby Change: At Wharfe Meadows Park

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: At Wharfe Meadows Park, Otley Town Centre is a 10 minute walk.

Walking next to the pond at Otley nature reserve

Directions to Gallows Hill Nature Reserve

  1. The directions are simple, as the route is circular around the nature reserve, and it is dependant on which car park you use. The path follows the edge of the river and encircles two ponds. On the route around there are plenty of stick dens to spot, go hide in…. definitely NOT knock over……

  2. Should you wish to combine this with a trip to the park, then parking is available on Farnley Lane. You need to head in the opposite direction from the park towards the skate park and then later the rugby pitches and exercise equipment. Directly ahead is the bridge. You need to cross that, and then take an immediate left on the path than goes underneath the large pipe.

  3. Follow the path along the edge of the river, to the nature reserve. Loop round, then head back along the way you came back to Wharfe Meadows Park.

  4. You can access the riverside from Wharfe Meadows Park, where you’ll find ducks and also during the Spring/ Summer season, the boats!

Last walked July 2022

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Standing and looking at the River Wharfe

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

🧒 The walk can take you past the park at Otley Riverside, which is a great stop off!

☕ There is a cafe next to Riverside Park that sells coffee, ice cream and light bites!

🦆 Ducks to feed! Remember your duck food!

🌳 Still need something to beat the walking whinges? Then why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

West Burton falls waterfall in winter

Want to find more pushchair friendly walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly pushchair walks in one place?

Then why not head to our pushchair friendly Walks section (you might be surprised by what you find!!)

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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