Otley Woodcock Walk

Otley Woodcock Walk is a “poetry trail” celebrating the iconic woodcock, a bird synonymous with Otley and the town’s history.

The poem, entitled ‘Roding’ is written by official Town Poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard with guidance and sound recordings by Richard Marsh and stone sculpture by Shane Green; it highlights the responsibility of shared land ownership and taking care of species, such as the woodcock, which are threatened by our actions.

The trail can be used by walking groups and creative writing groups of all ages and an accompanying fact sheet with ecology and poetic notes and prompts is available here.

If you download the free Echoes Explore App (available at this link) the words of the four stanzas come to life as you walk along the route at four different locations (starting from Johnny Lane it is approx. 1 mile up towards the White House and back down the tarmac track).

Special thanks to Otley Town Council for including this project in the Town Poet scheme and to Leeds City Council Outer North West Community Committee for funding the sculpture.