Welcome

Otley Chevin Forest Park is on the ridge on the south side of Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, overlooking the market town of Otley and is a designated nature reserve comprising 700 acres of woodland, crags and open heathland. It is locally referred to as ‘Otley Chevin’ or ‘The Chevin’.

The park’s north-facing escarpment rises steeply to a height of 282m (925ft) above sea level at Surprise View and offers extensive views of the Wharfe valley.

A variety of historical features remain enabling a picture of the evolution of this landscape that is the result of many thousands of years of interaction between people and nature.

The Chevin has a number of footpaths and bridlepaths, rock outcrops and ponds all of which provide opportunities for activities for all ages.

Friends of Chevin Forest Park

The Friends of Chevin Forest are a group of volunteers who care about Chevin Forest Park (known locally as The Chevin) and we work in partnership with Leeds City Council’s Parks & Countryside service, who own and manage the land. Our aims are to increase your enjoyment of Chevin Forest Park and to help you understand more about the landscape, it’s history and natural features.

This website has been kindly supported by  Otley Town Council and Bondgate Bakery.

News & Events

  • Treasure Hunt - Join Friends of Chevin Forest for a treasure hunt as part of the Otley Walking Festival 2024! This is a family walk, exploring the woodland for treasures. Children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. No booking required. Meet...more
  • Dawn Chorus - Join Friends of Chevin Forest on Sat 20th April for a dawn chorus walk with the Bradford Ornithologists. Meeting at 8 am at The White House, we’ll head on a circular walk that includes grasslands, woodlands and heathlands. We’ll be...more
  • Friends of Chevin Forest AGM 2024 - Join us for the Friends of Chevin Forest Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 16th April 2024. We’ll meet upstairs in the Black Horse, Otley from 8 – 9:30 pm. After discussing our annual reports and electing officers for the...more
  • Chevin Forest Task Days 2024 - Join the Friends of Chevin Forest for our task days, usually on the first Sunday of each month! Our tasks include hedge laying, seed collection, boardwalk construction, tree guard collection, footpath repairs, orchard maintenance and scrub clearance. This work is...more