Otley and Ilkley
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Otley is a small market town known for its former manufacture of printing presses and as the birthplace of Thomas Chippendale, the famous 18th century cabinet maker. The town is divided into two by the River Wharfe and hosts the country's oldest agricultural show. Otley has a good range of shops and restaurants as well as a new community arts and resource centre the Courthouse. Ilkley is the country's first cold water spa, over time the
well or bath house became known as White Wells. The effect of
the taking of spring water was massive and put Ilkley on the
map. The countryside setting of the town attracted mill owners
and industrialists and their families who were keen to escape the
fumes of neighbouring cities. Gradually, Ilkley became a
thriving commuter town. Today the town is still thriving with over
200 retail outlets.
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