Reasons to live in Otley

Otley is a beautiful Yorkshire market town with a population of approximately 15,000 people, set on the banks of the River Wharfe. Otley is a friendly and picturesque town with a rich commercial and community life.

The town lies in attractive countryside within Mid-Wharfedale at the centre of the rural triangle between Leeds, Harrogate and Bradford. Immediately to the south of the town rises Otley Chevin, which gives magnificent views over Mid-Wharfedale, fantastic walks and cycling routes and in the past provided much of the stone from which the town centre was built.

Otley makes a very popular and pleasant town with a lovely mix of well-known branded stores and a fantastic array of independently run shops. Supermarkets meet all budgets and include Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Asda. Restaurants include the beautiful Buon Apps located on the banks of the River Wharfe - a family run Italian restaurant that attracts regular visitors from all over Yorkshire, because of its fantastic reputation. Otley is also renowned for is vast array of pubs and bars from the traditional Junction Inn with its stone flagged floors and roaring open fires to the contemporary modern bars such as The North Bar.

Kirkgate Arcade has a selection of independent traders including Beks hardware store - the Aladdin’s cave of DIY and electrical supplies. Otley itself has fantastic independent butchers, bakery’s and a fine selection of independent cafes, coffee and cake houses.

Otley is also renowned as being a cycling mecca and has featured in the Tour De France and every Tour De Yorkshire, as well as holding the Otley Road Race every year which features the best of British competing in town centre races and draws over 10,000 spectators and is the home town of Lizzie (Armistead) Deignan.

Otley is also home to the Otley Show, the oldest agricultural show in the UK again drawing in thousands of spectators each year. There is also the Otley Carnival which is a summer street parade celebration of the town and its residents. In the summer months, visit the town and have a row on the Boats and walk the stunning Otley Chevin and Chevin Forest!

There are plenty of great local sports including Otley Rugby Club who play in the national leagues, Otley Cricket Club, current title holders of the Aire Wharfe League title and Otley Town football club who play in the West Yorkshire league.

Highly regarded primary schools and the outstanding Prince Henry's Grammar School are found within the town itself.

Looking to move to Otley? Read our Guide to Otley and view the current properties available in Otley.