Chevin Forest Park is an area near Otley managed by Leeds Council. Chevin is linked to Welsh ‘Cefn’ or ridge.

White House Cafe

• In the middle of the main part of the Chevin there is a lunchtime cafe 10 am-2 pm but it is CLOSED AT WEEKENDS AND WHEN YOU WANT TO USE IT! SO ARE THE LOOS! I did say it was run by the council.
• There are birdbox cameras set up around the estate so cafe vistors can have their own Springwatch.
• You can walk to the cafe in 20 minutes or so from Surprise View, Johnny Lane or East Chevin car park.A bit longer uphill from Otley town

Surprise View

• From the top of the Chevin in the Royalty car park (the pub, not where the Queen parks) you can look down on Yeadon airport with planes landing and taking off not necessarily in that order.
• Park at the official car park opposite the pub and walk towards the ridge you will get a ‘Surprise View’ of the Wharfe Valley and the north.
• At Easter there is a large wooden cross errected on the summit after it is hauled up from Otley in the valley below.

Walking

• There are Chevin ranger guided walks between April and September and from June 26th 2010 for one week there is Otley Walking Festival
• The Chevin is used for Orienteering and Geocaching. Geocaching started in America and starts with an interesting item hidden in a box that other must find with or without GPS. (Sounds like a riot!).
• Chevin Forest Trail details
• If you are not quite up for walking there is a rural pursuit vehicle capable of carrying a wheelchair. There are also mobility scooters

Other Attractions

• A ‘Geology trail’ is due to be completed this summer.
• Sculpture in wood are scattered in the woods if you can see them for the Himalayan Balsam weeds.
• Danefield estate is attached and has Rock climbing, more walking and other pursuits
• The trees of Chevin forest are important for both resident and migratory birds, including the woodcock, goldcrest and redstart.

Bits according to Wikipedia
The famous painting ‘Snow Storm: Hannibal and His Army Crossing the Alps’ by J. M. W. Turner which hangs in the Tate Gallery, is reputed to have been inspired by a view of the Chevin with a stormy background sky. Turner used to stay in Yorkshire with his friend Walter Fawkes at Farnley Hall on the opposite side of the valley to the Chevin.
Johnny lane runs from Station road Otley (don’t bother looking for the train it was Beechinged) up past the White House to above the treeline.

For other interesting geological features read