Otley

Otley is a working market town in the Wharfe valley, built around a broad market place that still gives it the feel of a proper town centre rather than a chocolate-box village. What sets it apart is the Chevin, the wooded ridge that rises straight up out of the town, giving Otley a sense of being tucked between hills and river without having to travel anywhere to find them.

Otley itself rewards wandering. The market place, the old streets running off it, and the surrounding countryside make it a good town for a slow day out on foot. For something a bit different, the Otley Spy Mission Treasure Trail turns a walk around town into a proper activity, sending you hunting for clues through streets you might otherwise just pass through.

Where Otley genuinely stands out is in the sheer number of places to eat. With over fifty restaurants and cafes listed, the choice runs from relaxed daytime spots like Buttercups, Cafe Cafe and Cafe Twenty One to the more traditional Chippendale Tea Room, useful for a proper pot of tea after a walk up the Chevin. Coast To Country Cafe and Bloomfield Square add further options for a casual bite, Buon Apps River Lounge & Italian Restaurant brings an evening-out feel with its Italian menu, and there's a Costa Coffee too for anyone wanting a familiar coffee stop between errands.

Between the market town centre, the woodland on its doorstep, and a genuinely large spread of cafes and restaurants to choose from, Otley works well as either a day trip from elsewhere in Yorkshire or a base for a short stay in the Wharfe valley.