Living in Otley

With nearly 14,000 residents, Otley, located just north-west of the City of Leeds is a picturesque market town with cobblestone streets, lying near the River Wharfe and close to The Chevin where families can go on hikes and adventures. If you are considering moving to Otley, there are some important questions you may have about the location. And you’ll find all the answers on this page.

For example, if you’re wondering – is Otley expensive? – you’ll find that the average prices match those of the region and that it is reasonable to live and make a life there. Whether you are looking for a temporary home or permanent accommodation, you can always rely on our estate and letting agents in Otley to help you find the perfect nest. With our rich portfolio of offerings, you can now settle on the right home for your budget to ensure your comfort when you’re living in this market town.

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Is Otley safe to live in?

One of the first questions that many newcomers to the area ask is whether Otley is safe to live in. The answer is “yes”, Otley is safe and it is considered one of the top 10 safest small towns in West Yorkshire. Out of West Yorkshire’s 118 towns, cities and villages, Otley is the 45th safest with 67 crimes per 1,000 people in 2022. This is much lower than West Yorkshire’s average rate of 126 crimes per 1,000 residents.

And speaking of residents, you may be wondering what people live in Otley. In general, there is a much higher rate of homeownership for this town than the national average across the UK, meaning that the area may be considered middle-class. What’s more, is that nearly 71% of the town’s residents are in full-time employment. In addition, around 35% of the population has a tertiary education qualification.

Opening times

When you move to the town, you will also want quick and easy access to the most common opening times of important facilities in the town. As such, the library and post office in Otley’s opening times are as follows:

Otley Library opening times:

Monday: 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 to 17:00
Wednesday: 09:00 – 19:00
Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: Closed

And the Otley post office opening times are as follows:

Monday: 09:00 – 17:30
Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:30
Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:30
Thursday: 09:00 – 17:30
Friday: 09:00 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Sunday: Closed

The city centre of Otley falls within the LS21 postcode in West Yorkshire with different postcodes allocated to different regions, suburbs and neighbourhoods in the town.

Things to do in Otley

Because of its location, situated in a picturesque area, there are quite a few things to do in the area with family or with friends. For example, when it comes to what are the top attractions to visit in Otley, we would be amiss not to mention the Wharfemeadows Park and Chevin Forest Park, in addition to other parks and gardens in the area.

These locations answer the key question: what are the best outdoor activities in the market town? As for what are the most popular things to do in Otley with kids, apart from visiting parks and gardens, you can opt for the exciting Shipley Glen Tramway or visit the Puffin Pottery pottery shop to get your hands dirty and get creative. All these attractions make Otley suitable for families. Below are just some of the top things to do in the area:

Park and garden – Wharfemeadows Park
Park and garden – Chevin Forest Park
Park and garden – Roberts Park
Park and garden – Golden Acre Park
Park and garden – Otley Chevin Forest Park
Arts centre – Salts Mill
Art gallery – Browns Gallery
Historical landmark – The Navvies Memorial
Shopping centre – Kirkgate Arcade
Pottery shop – Puffin Pottery
Tourist attraction – Shipley Glen Tramway

What is Otley famous for?

You may be surprised to find out that one of the things that Otley is famous for is its cycling routes. It’s considered a “cycling mecca” and as such, it has featured in the Tour De France and every Tour De Yorkshire. In addition, every year welcomes the Otley Road Race, which draws crowds of up to 10,000 spectators

Climate

The climate is relatively comparable to the surrounding regions in terms of average temperatures. For example, the months of December, January and February bring in temperature highs of only 7 ° C, with an average of 13 days of rain for each of these months.

Meanwhile, March, April and May see temperatures rise from 9° C, 12° C and 15° C, respectively, with around 10 days of rain per month.

Although June’s temperatures reach a high of around 18° C, July and August hit highs of 20° C, with around nine days of rain.

September, October and November see temperatures plummet from 17° C to 13° C and 9° C, respectively with an average rainfall of around 10 days per month.

Types of properties in Otley

Otley offers new and current residents a range of property options to explore – from flats to detached and semi-detached houses, cottages, terraced properties and more.

Otley house prices

Because of its socio-economic status as a higher-income location than some of the neighbouring areas, Otley’s house prices are subsequently higher as well. The overall average price for properties in the area is £301,895.00. However, the majority of sales were of terraced properties with average prices of £262,625.00. Semi-detached properties generally sell for an average of £313,856.00 and detached properties sell for nearly half a million points at £481,521.00.

Otley rent prices

As for Otley rent prices, you can expect to pay anywhere between £700 and 1,000 for a flat, apartment, cottage or bungalow per calendar month, while the price of semi-detached and detached homes is higher.

Schools and amenities

Among Otley’s schools and amenities, you will find several options including:

The Wharfedale Hospital is Otley and the neighbouring region’s health care provider. Meanwhile, the Police Station caters to the town’s safety, security and public order needs.

Examples of kindergartens and nursery schools include Monkey Puzzle Otley Day Nursery and Pre-school as well as The Little Green Frog Day Care Nursery.

Moving to Otley has never been easier!

Let our experienced and knowledgeable estate and letting agents in Guiseley Leeds North West help you find the next place to call home in Otley. Our team of professionals has rich experience and an even richer portfolio of listings for you to choose from to suit your needs and budget. Simply get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and we’ll help ensure your move to or within Otley is a seamless experience!

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Arrange a free market appraisal

Whether you’re a landlord, you’re looking to sell or you’re just interested in how much your property might be worth, the best way to get an accurate and detailed understanding is through a free one-to-one appraisal with one of our experienced local agents. Request an appraisal with your local office using the form below.