Our Village

Otley lies in the county of Suffolk, around 8 miles to the north of Ipswich and a similar distance north west of Woodbridge. The major arterial routes of the A12 and A14 pass equidistant to the east and west respectively. Suffolk Coastal District Council is the local authority.

The village is surrounded by open countryside, the majority of which is devoted to agriculture. There is a well maintained and extensive footpath network.

The B1079 passes through Otley, firstly as Church Road and then Helmingham Road with Chapel Road running north-east from their junction in the village centre.

The parish is centred on the village, with Otley College included to the south. The western boundary lies primarily along the B1077 through Ashbocking, thereby bringing a small number of properties towards Ashbocking into the parish. The northern limit is defined along various field boundaries, whilst the eastern edge largely follows the Monewden Road.

The majority of the housing stock is distributed along the principal arteries and the associated side roads, and totals some 330 dwellings. Around 70% of the housing is detached, with about 75% of homes having three or more bedrooms. Small-scale developments exist at Spring Park and, more recently, Birds Mere, Pearl Close, Millars Close and St Marys View. Homes range in age from medieval to modern, with two areas of social housing in Newlands and Vine Road.

However, there is little affordable housing in the village for first time buyers and this is reflected in the demography of the village. The population is around 850 inhabitants with a bias towards a more mature age group, 68% of adults being 45 years of age or over.

Otley is fortunate to have an award winning Village Shop and Post Office; a doctors' surgery; the White Hart public house; a good Village Hall, Scout Hut and playing field; a bowls green; and a Primary School with over 50 pupils. An active PTA and Governors support the School. The catchment school for secondary education is Farlingaye High at Woodbridge. Local bus services connect directly with Ipswich, Woodbridge and Framlingham and villages along these routes. A mobile library, fresh fish and frozen food deliveries, milkman and a Fish and Chip van also serve the village.

St Mary's Church and the Baptist Chapel lie within the village and both have active congregations with a strong local ministry team. The Church dates from the 13th century and boasts a rare total immersion font.

There is a strong sense of community and this manifests itself in the many and varied clubs and organisations that are active within the village, including:

• Bowls Club

• Fun for Youth (FFY) • Gardening Club

 • Handbell Ringers • Crafting Club

• Otley Under 5's Pre-School

• Reading Groups • Scouts, Cubs and Beavers

• The Otley Players (TOPS) and Junior TOPS

Otley Community Council administers the day to day running of the Village Hall and playing field, and comprises representatives of many of these village groups.

To the south of the main village lies Otley College, a higher and further education college that is part of the new University Campus Suffolk. It caters for around 5000 students, half by distance learning, in a wide range of subjects.

Amongst the many other businesses can be found a scrapbooking specialist, hairdresser, farms, plant hire and groundworks specialist, and an historic house open to the public.