Living in Otley

Your guide to moving to Otley

Why Otley is a good place to live

Just 10 miles from Leeds, Otley is a charming market town in Lower Wharfedale that offers a desirable mix of city and countryside life. The town is brimming with rich historical charm, including century-old cobbled streets and traditional markets. Located amidst natural splendour, Otley is prized for access to the great outdoors, providing opportunities for hiking, cycling, and just relaxing in scenic areas such as the expansive Chevin Forest Park. From its award-winning pork pies to historic pubs, living in Otley also means savouring a delightful culinary journey, with its independent shops presenting a range of unique gifts, art, and jewelry, and its good range of pubs, cafes, and restaurants adding vibrancy to local life.

What's Otley famous for?

Nestled in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, Otley is famous for its rich history and strong connection to cycling. Known as the birthplace of renowned furniture maker Thomas Chippendale, the town takes pride in its shared past with this iconic figure. More remarkably, Otley is revered as a cycling mecca, being the hometown of Olympic road race silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead and regularly hosting celebrated cycling events such as the Tour De France and Tour De Yorkshire. Furthermore, the town's participation in history was highlighted by the use of its quarries for building the Palace of Westminster. Its charm and unique character have also made it a favourite location for TV programmes such as Emmerdale and The Chase.

Things to do in Otley

With a plethora of activities on offer, there's always something to do in Otley. You can explore the cobbled streets and charming independent shops, discover antiques, and relax at traditional pubs and cafes. More adventurous visitors can hike in the Chevin Forest Park or cycle on the tracks used by the Tour De France and Tour De Yorkshire. For nature lovers or those looking for a tranquil spot, the banks of the River Wharfe provide a perfect location. You could also visit historical landmarks such as the Otley Courthouse or immerse yourself in the local arts scene at the Black Sheep Folk Festival. No matter what interests you, moving to Otley ensures a diverse and exciting lifestyle.

We have used a bespoke generative AI model to help us research and create our area guides. All of our content is reviewed, and edited where needed, by our trusted team of Zoopla content editors.