Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Otley has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Otley.
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Sights in Otley
Otley is a historic market town situated in West Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Wharfe, and at the 2001 census had a population of 15,372.
The town is in the heart of Wharfedale, on the A660 road which leads north to Harrogate and south to Bradford. Otley’s twin town is Otley, Iowa in the United States. The town is part of the parliamentary constituency of Leeds West.
The town’s origins date back to the 7th century when it was known as Ottanforda, meaning “ford over the Otta”, referring to the ford crossing the River Wharfe. By the late 10th century it was known as Ouetlai.
The market charter was granted by King Henry I, who was born in nearby Nether Poppleton, and the weekly market is still held.
In medieval times Otley was an important stop on the route between York and Leeds. Otley Market Place is home to the Shambles, agrade II listed building and a former meat market which now houses independent shops and cafes.
The town was the scene of the Battle of Otley in 1644, during the English Civil War. Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary commander, defeated the Royalist army under Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
Otley is home to Prince Henry’s Grammar School, one of the oldest schools in England, founded in 1556. The town also has two state comprehensive schools, Otley Academy and Prince Henry’s High School.
The town has a thriving music scene, with a number of venues including the Cold Bath House and the Fleece Inn. Otley is also home to the Otley Folk Festival and the Otley Courthouse Live Music Club.
Otley’s annual carnival is one of the largest in Yorkshire and has been held every June since 1866. The town’s streets are closed to traffic for the day and a parade of floats makes its way through the town.
The town is also home to the Otley Run, a pub crawl which starts at the Courthouse and ends at the Cross Inn, a distance of about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). The run is reputed to be the longest continuous pub crawl in the world.
The town has a number of parks and open spaces, including Ash Close, Dob Park, Manor Square, Otley Park, Sunnyside Park, and Wharfemeadows Park.
There are also a number of historic buildings and sites in the town, including Bramhope Hall, Kirkstall Abbey, Otley Castle, Otley Hall, and Timble Great Hall.
Just outside the town is the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which offers a range of outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and climbing.
History of Otley
Otley is a town in Leeds, England. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town lies on the River Wharfe, and has been a market town since the Middle Ages. The town’s name is derived from a mix of Old English and Old Norse, meaning “upper Brookfarm”.
According to the 2001 census, Otley had a population of 14,668. The town had a population of 15,543 in 2011.
The town is in the Otley and Yeadon ward of Leeds City Council and in the parliamentary constituency of Pudsey, which includes Aireborough, Guiseley and Yeadon.
Otley’s historic buildings include a 13thcentury church, grammar school, almshouses and town hall. The church, St Anne’s, has a Norman nave with Medieval stained glass and carved wooden roof bosses. The grammar school, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, was founded in 1556 by King Philip II of Spain.
Otley Town Hall, a Grade I listed building, was built in 1744 to replace an earlier hall on the site, which had been acquired by the town in 1484.
In the 19th century, the town became a centre for the flax and wool industries, with a number of engines and mills powered by the River Wharfe. The town also had a large brewing industry, with up to eight breweries in operation at peak times.
Otley is twinned with:
Florida, USA;
Nidda, Germany;
SaintChamond, France;
Skipton, England.
Otley is part of the Leeds urban area. In 2012 it was mooted that a suburb of Leeds called Otley should become part of the city, but this was ruled out by the city council.
The town has a long history, dating back to the Bronze Age. It was a important settlement during the Roman era, when it was known as Otleacae. The town was also mentioned in the Domesday Book, and later became a market town and centre for the woollen industry.
During the Industrial Revolution, Otley saw a number of mills and factories powered by the River Wharfe, including flax mills, paper mills, tanneries and breweries. The town was also home to a large number of workers involved in the building of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The 20th century saw Otley’s industries decline, and the town became a commuter town for Leeds and Bradford. However, the town has retained its historic buildings and charm, and in recent years has become a popular tourist destination.
Vacation in Otley
Otley is a town in West Yorkshire, England, on the River Wharfe. Otley is built on seven hills, the highest being Church Hill, which is away from the river. The town has a total population of 15,720. According to the 2001 census, 78% of the population are white, 16% Asian, 3% black and 3% mixed race. The town centre is an attractive mix of old and new architecture, with many wellpreserved Georgian buildings. The town is twinned with Spalt in Bavaria, Germany and Mentor, Ohio in the United States.
Otley’s history dates back to the 12th century, when a Cistercian monastery was founded here. In the 14th century the town flourished as a wooltrading centre. In the 19th century the town became a major centre for the flax and linen industry, and was also known for its manufacture of bricks and tiles. The town’s industry declined in the 20th century, but Otley has remained a popular tourist destination, with its many pubs, cafes and shops.
There are a number of attractions in Otley, including the ruins of the Cistercian monastery, a grammar school founded in 1548, and a Victorian market hall. The town also has a museum, a theatre and a cinema. Otley is a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, with many walks and cycle routes starting from the town.
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