The parish, which covers an area of about 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi), had a population of 676 at the 2011 United Kingdom census.

[3] Otley Hall, a 15th-century Grade I listed house which was historically the seat of the family of Bartholomew Gosnold, is to the north of the village.

[4] To the south of the village is a motte and bailey castle site; a Roman road crossed the parish towards its southern boundary.

[11] Otley is the birthplace of Roger Osborne who scored the only goal of the game in the 1978 FA Cup Final for Ipswich Town.

[citation needed] It was also for many years, the home of Percy Edwards, famous for his impressions of birds and other animal noises.