People in lockdown can now take a virtual walk around historic Otley town centre and its surrounding countryside through Google Earth

People yearning for a day out in Yorkshire's countryside can now do so from the comfort of their own home after a town's tourist board digitised its walking trails through Google Earth.
View from Otley ChevinView from Otley Chevin
View from Otley Chevin

Otley can now be visited virtually in attempts to prevent people from breaking lockdown restrictions and travelling out of their own areas to sample its surrounding countryside, it has been revealed.

With Covid-19 infections showing no sign of abating just yet, those living in urban areas longing for the great outdoors will have to make do with the next best thing for now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The market town's tourist board has launched a campaign to bring in cyber visitors, making it possible for would-be tourists to "fly" over its attractive cobbled streets and down its ginnels (that's alleyways, to those not from Yorkshire) and even climb 282m up Otley Chevin without leaving your armchair.

Otley town centreOtley town centre
Otley town centre

The four main walking trails around the town have been made accessible on Google Earth, and virtual visitors can also wander around beautiful Wharfedale Park by the River Wharfe, and see the statue of the town’s most famous son, cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale.

The routes which have been digitised are Otley's history trail around the town’s most historic sites, including the Norman-era All Saints Parish Church, its shopping trail around its independent shops, a riverside walk around beautiful River Wharfe locations, including Wharfemeadows Park, and the 'Best of Otley' – featuring highlights from the three other trails condensed into one easy-to-follow map.

Chair of Otley’s trade and tourism committee councillor Paul Carter said: “There is no substitute for visiting Otley in person, but while movement around the country remains restricted, we feel the new website section is the best way to allow future visitors to get a flavour of the town before they can sample what we have to offer when lockdown ends.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We look forward to welcoming visitors to the revamped Visit Otley site over the coming weeks and months, and in person when the situation allows.”

Otley town centreOtley town centre
Otley town centre

Links to the four Google Earth trails – which are ordinarily available as foldable paper maps during non-Covid times – can be found on the town’s tourism website Visit Otley (visitotley.co.uk) under a new section labelled 'Make A Digital Day Of It'.

The new section also features links to online courses and events taking place in the town, allowing fans of local musicians such as the Otley Ukulele Orchestra to still catch their performances or for people to take in concerts such as the Online Otley Music Festival.

Chair of Otley Business Improvement District Thomas Hatley said: “It proves that Otley is very much open for online business, even if not yet open for visitors outside of our local region.”

Related topics: