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| Otley
is a Yorkshire market town of about 15,000 people, set on the banks
of the River Wharfe. It is an ancient, friendly and picturesque town
with a rich commercial and community life. The town lies in
attractive countryside in 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, and in the past provided much of the stone from
which the town centre was built. Much of the town centre is
eighteenth or nineteenth century or earlier and has Conservation
Area status. Otley has been here from about the mid-Eighth century,
when Otta made his Leah or clearing in the forest. |
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| Since
then Otley has evolved a rich and varied character. Its Parish
Church houses some of the best examples of Anglo-Danish crosses in
the country. Thomas Fairfax, Cromwell's general came from nearby
Denton Hall. Thomas Chippendale, the world-famous furniture maker
was born and learnt his craft in Otley. Turner often stayed nearby,
and used the Chevin as the backdrop for at least one of his famous
pictures (Hannibal crossing the Alps). The Wharfedale Press, which
revolutionised nineteenth century printing, was invented and
manufactured in Otley. And the town hosts the country's oldest
agricultural show. The town continues to be a varied and resourceful
place. |
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| It
is still very much a market town; with a cattle market,
agricultural suppliers, blacksmiths, paper manufacturers, printers,
engineers, lens manufacturers, a busy shopping centre and popular
open markets. There are events throughout the year, the Otley Show
in May, the Carnival in June, the Folk festival in September and the
Victorian Fayre in December to name but a few. The town centre is
renowned for the number and quality of its pubs, and the surrounding
countryside provides ample scope for walking, fishing, riding and
other outdoor sports. |
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