A journey of just ten miles north of the City of Leeds presents a transformation from a dynamic city to the beautiful and undisturbed countryside of Lower Wharfedale.
Fans of the popular, long running rural soap series "Emmerdale" will no doubt recognise much of the Lower Wharfedale scenery. A great deal of the outdoor film is shot here and Otley is in fact "Hotton" the market town featured in the programme. More recently Otley played host to the much-acclaimed rural police series "Heartbeat".
Steeped in history, Otley has much to interest the visitor. The River Wharfe, running through the town provides an ideal location for anglers, bird-watchers or for relaxing riverside walks. Wharfemeadows Park, beside the river, has attractive gardens, boating facilities, tennis courts, a cafe and children's play areas.
The town retains a host of Victorian, Georgian and still earlier buildings which give it a unique atmosphere. All Saints' Church has an early 14th century tower. There is a Norman doorway, Georgian porch, decorated and perpendicular windows and fragments of 9th - 11th century Anglo Saxon crosses. Thomas Chippendale, renowned furniture maker is one of Otley’s best known sons. His family were joiners by trade and he worked alongside his father and served his apprenticeship in Otley. Joseph Mallord William Turner made his first visit to Otley in 1797 when, aged 22, he was commissioned to paint watercolours of the area. So attracted was he to Otley and the surrounding area, that he returned time and time again.
Otley is justly famous for its market days on Fridays and Saturdays - plus Tuesdays in the summer. The town has held a market since Saxon times, but the recorded history dates from 1222 when King Henry III granted the first Royal Charter. The livestock market takes place on Mondays at Leeds Road Market and on Fridays at Bridge End Auction Mart. All sales are open to the public.
The geological feature - Otley Chevin - dominates the town. More than just a place of outstanding natural beauty, it caters for the rambler, picnickers, horseriders, climbers, dog exercisers and kite flyers or those just looking for a bit of peace and quiet. It offers superb views over Otley and Lower Wharfedale.
Annual events include the Otley Show, a highlight of Otley life. It takes place on the Saturday before Spring Bank holiday. Otley Carnival is a popular event with most of the population of Otley seemingly involved - it takes place on the third weekend of June. In similar vein is the Victorian Fayre which is organised each December, heralds the start of Christmas and raises money for local charities. The locals get into the spirit of things by dressing up in Victorian costume and organising activities for thousands of visitors.
Otley really is at the heart of ‘Rural Leeds’ and makes an ideal day out, whether to explore the countryside or visit the attractive and exquisite shops and tea-rooms. Although Otley has no railway station, the town is easily accessible by bus from Leeds, with regular departures and a journey time of just 45 minutes on the most direct route. There is a train service from Leeds to Menston with a regular bus from Menston station to Otley.
Otley is twinned with Montereau which is about 60km South of Paris, near Fontainbleu.