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

  • Himalayan Balsam Bashing: July 2025 - This summer we are running some extra Friends of Chevin Forest volunteer led task sessions to tackle the Himalayan Balsam growing across the site. Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species that grows quickly and shades out other ground vegetation; by...more
  • Dawn Chorus 2025 - Join the Friends of Chevin Forest on Saturday 3rd May 2025 for a dawn chorus walk, led by the Bradford Ornithological Group. Meeting at 9 am at The White House, we’ll head on a circular walk that includes grasslands, woodlands...more
  • Friends of Chevin Forest AGM 2025 - Join us for the Friends of Chevin Forest Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 8th April 2025. We’ll meet upstairs in the Black Horse, Otley from 7.30 – 9:00 pm. After discussing our annual reports and electing officers for the...more
  • Guided Tree ID Walk - Discover the rich diversity of Leeds’ urban forest on our Guided Tree ID Walk on Saturday 22nd March! Join us for an enlightening journey through Chevin Forest, where Leeds City Council’s Woodland Creation Ranger will introduce you to the fascinating...more