Witney - Witney

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

Church Green
High Street

Understand

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

By car

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

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

By train

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

Get around

51°47′2″N 1°28′59″W
Map of Witney

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.

See

Holy Trinity Church
Riverside Cottage Riverside House

Do

  • 1 Forest of Wychwood (9mile Circular Walk). Wychwood (Q8039567) on Wikidata Wychwood on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)
  • 2 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 Farm (Q5141103) on Wikidata Cogges Manor Farm on Wikipedia (updated May 2017)

Buy

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 Rapture 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

Eat

Drink

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

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.

  • 1 Oxford Witney Hotel, Ducklington Lane, ☏ 44 1993 779777, fax: 44 1993 703467, ✉. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. This 87-room hotel of the Four Pillars chain is on the outskirts of town, just off the A40/A415 roundabout. It offers modern 4 star rooms and a good on-site spa and pool. £90-185. 
  • 2 The Old Coutyard Hotel (Hotel, Restaurant & Bar), 39/43 Bridge St, Witney OX28 1DA, ☏ 44 1993 703228. (updated May 2017)
  • 3 The Beeches (B&B), 6 Puck Lane, Witney OX28 6LD, ☏ 44 1993 771389, ✉. Check-in: 4-6PM, check-out: by 11AM. No children under 10 or pets. King or twin room £90 (discounts for longer stays). (updated May 2017)
  • 4 The Laurels (B&B), 53 Burford Rd, Witney OX28 6DR, ☏ 44 1993 702193, ✉. Single £40; Double/twin £55. (updated May 2017)
  • 5 Crofters (Guesthouse), 29 Oxford Hill, Witney OX28 3JU, ☏ 44 1993 778165, ✉. Check-in: 4-6PM. (updated May 2017)
  • 6 Artist Residence, Station Rd, South Leigh OX29 6XN, ☏ 44 1993 656220. Remarkable quirky small hotel in the countryside 3 miles from Witney, scores highly for decor, service and dining. B&B double £150. (updated Jun 2020)

Connect

  • 2 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

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Routes through Witney
Cheltenham ← Burford ← W UK road A40.svg E → Eynsham → Oxford
Banbury ← Charlbury ← merges with A361 ← N UK road B4022.svg 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 .