This article describes the recent discovery of a millstone in the riverbed at Otley's Wharfeside Mills. This fascinating find is a timely reminder of the long term history at the former site of both the manorial mill and the later Garnetts.
Future for the Past
Visions of the future from vaults of the past - what prophecy did the 1895 'Seer who Sees' foretell for the Otley of 1995?
Otley, Wharfeside Mills & Weir
Recent destruction of part of the weir flushed away significant archaeological evidence. The archaeological wood revealed is now either silted up in the riverbank, washed away, or removed by persons unknown. The authors here reveal their research and illustrate the surviving timbers.
The Otley Local History Bulletin
The OLHB is a periodic report on local history relating to Otley in West Yorkshire. All entries are based on extensive private research files of the contributors.
Otley Allotments
Many of the town's allotments are derived from the Smallholding and Allotments Act of 1908. More were created during compulsory purchase under DORA in the First World War. This article summarises their historical development.
Inns: signs and symbols
This article gives context and background to the signs and symbols adorning the pubs of Otley. When read in conjuction with 'Inns and Intrigues' a full picture of our pub landscape may be observed.
Inns and intrigues
A favourite Otley past-time was counting the pubs, lost or surviving in the town. This article gives outline details of nearly 44 known to have existed, but points out the peculiar documentary silence over earlier medieval inns, maltsters and ale-wives.
Archbishops abroad
Otley owes much of its existence and infrastructure to the Archbishops of York. Their episcopal lives affected and reflected the fate of the town. This article details some of those Ebor 'Great Lives'.
Mt. Pisgah: ‘the promis’d land’
This article reveals the biblical inspiration and printers engineers reality of Mount Pisgah on Church Hill in Otley. It details the historical background of this elevated terrace, described in wonder as a 'town up in the air' when first built.
Sense of place: behind the facade
Part 3 of our Sense of Place series takes a closer look at the yards of Otley. It reveals familiar Otley families earning a crust or tanning a hide from Bay Horse passage to White Swan yard.
Sense of place: landscapes to nicknames
Part 2 of our Sense of Place series explores the urban placenames in greater depth. Old town tracks, cross streets, name changes, great lives and ultimately nicknames all provide source material for the streets, yards, ginnels and roads of Otley.
Sense of place: celtic to medieval
Part 1 of this exploration of local place names outlines their early origin and transferred title. It sets the scene and paints a broad brush view of the topic. Caution is urged when navigating this complex subject.
Edmund Walker and the language of politics
Edmund now joins William and Albert in our Walker family trilogy. The language of local politics takes insult and hyperbole to heights unimaginable to modern politicians. Even if it was libellous, at least Edmund could form and finish a coherent sentence.
Albert Walker, the ‘Whistling Commercial’
Albert Walker joins our pantheon of Otley characters, with a 3 octave range and an extraordinary life of whistling.
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