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town and civil parish in West Oxfordshire, England
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Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > England > South East England > Oxfordshire > Witney

Witney is a thriving market town in Oxfordshire, just off the A40. Like many towns in the Cotswolds, Witney is known historically for its textiles specifically woolen blankets.

Church Green
High Street

Understand

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Those familiar with the writings of A. A. Milne, in particular Winnie-the-Pooh, might remember the game of "Pooh Sticks" from the book. The game is played on a bridge over a river and competitors drop their sticks in the river (at the same time) and see whose stick emerges downstream first. Childish fun, but these days the town hosts the annual World Pooh Sticks Championship. Organised by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires and raising funds for the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires Charitable Trust Funds, it is held over the River Windrush close to the centre of town. There are both team and individual competitions, though advanced registration is required.

Get in

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By car

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The town lies on the A40 London to Fishguard main road. 12½ miles from Oxford, 30 miles from Cheltenham and 25 miles from Swindon (via the A4095 and A420).

By bus

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The main buses to and from Oxford are the Stagecoach S1 and S2 from Carterton via Witney to Oxford.

S1 (Stagecoach): Carterton → Curbridge → Witney → Eynsham → Botley → Oxford

S2 (Stagecoach): Carterton → Curbridge → Witney → Eynsham → Summertown (Oxford)

Witney is on the route used by the Stagecoach 853 bus from Oxford to Gloucester. The Market Square bus stop is outside Blue Boar Inn to go towards Oxford and the other side of the road towards Gloucester.

853 (Stagecoach): Oxford → Cassington (A40) → Witney → Minster Lovell → Burford → Northleach → Andoversford → Cheltenham → Gloucester

By train

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The town railway station was closed in 1965 and has now been re-developed into an industrial estate.

  • 1 Long Hanborough Railway Station, Station Road, off Main Road, Long Hanborough, OX29 8LA (6 miles NE of town). Probably the nearest railway station to the town but is a small station with limited services. Station operated and services run by Great Western Railway Hanborough railway station (Q2582643) on Wikidata Hanborough railway station on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)
  • 2 Oxford Railway Station, Park End St, Oxford OX1 1HS. Larger and more mainline station with more frequent services. Station operated and services run by Great Western Railway. Oxford railway station (Q1880536) on Wikidata Oxford railway station on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)

By bicycle

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Get around

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Witney town centre is compact and can easily be covered on foot. Even the surrounding housing estates are no more than a brisk 15-minute walk from the town centre.

Holy Trinity Church
Riverside Cottage Riverside House
  • 1 [dead link] World Pooh Sticks Championship, Crown Lane, near Cogges Manor Farm, Church Ln, Witney OX28 3LA (Close to Windrush Leisure Centre), . Regulation Pooh Sticks are provided. Individual entry £2.50, teams £10. (updated May 2017)
  • 2 Forest of Wychwood (9mile Circular Walk). Wychwood (Q8039567) on Wikidata Wychwood on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)
  • 3 Cogges Manor Farm, Church Lane, Witney OX28 3LA, ☏ +44 1993 772602. Daily until early November 10AM-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Historic farmyard, feed the animals, explore the manor house and grounds. Adult £5.90; Child £4.40. Cogges Manor (Q5141103) on Wikidata Cogges Manor Farm on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)
  • Riverside Festival is a free music festival in Charlbury six miles north of Witney. The next is 29-30 July 2023.

Witney's main shopping areas are the appropriately named Woolgate and Marriotts Walk which have many familiar chain stores:

  • 2 The Woolgate Centre, Market Square, OX28 6AP, ☏ +44 1993 778370. M-F: 7:30AM-8PM, Sa: 7:30AM-7PM, Su: 10:30AM-4:30PM. A shopping centre with mostly chain-stores such as Waitrose, Waterstones, WHSmith, Mountain Warehouse, GAME and Holland & Barrett. However there are a few independent shops such as Michael Lyne jewellers and the Truck entertainment store. Offers free parking. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 3 Marriotts Walk, Woodford Way, Welch Way, OX28 6GW, ☏ +44 1993 704262. A shopping area with mostly clothing stores, a large M&S, a few restaurants and a Cineworld cinema. (updated Sep 2018)

Witney like most market towns, also has a handful of independent shops:

  • 4 Church Green Books, 46 Market Square, OX28 6AL, ☏ +44 1993 700822. M-F: 10AM-4PM, Sa-Su: Closed. A small bookshop selling local and second-hand books. (updated Sep 2018)

There are also a large Sainsbury's supermarket in the area:

  • 5 Sainsbury's (Superstore/Supermarket), Witan Way, Witney OX28 4FF, ☏ +44 993 776038. M-F, Sa: 7AM-11PM; Su: 10AM-4PM. ATMs. Cafe (different hours). Pharmacy (updated May 2017)

Cyclists

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Drink

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Witney is home to the Wychwood Brewery, and many of the beers which it produces are available around the town. Priced around £2-3 per pint or bottle.

Sleep

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Witney has a few hotels including a Premier Inn. The Marlborough overlooks the Market Square in the town centre. The Witney Hotel and the Fleece Hotel, a great gastro pub can be found nearby on the beautiful Church Green.

Connect

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  • 1 Post Office, Unit 20 Woolgate Shopping Centre, Market Square, Witney OX28 6AP. M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM; Su 10AM-2PM. (updated May 2017)

Go next

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Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Routes through Witney
Cheltenham ← Burford ←  W  E  → Eynsham → Oxford
Banbury ← Charlbury ← merges with A361 ←  N  SE  → merges with A40


This city travel guide to Witney is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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