About Witney :-
The town of Witney is believed to have been known a few years back as Wyttannige. As of today there is probably a pretty good shout and hurrah that their is no one around to dispute this apparent known record that was extracted from the Saxon Charter as it was dodging around a circa of AD 969!
The Domesday Book of 1086 a century or so on has today’s Witney recorded down as Witenie. So in saying Witenie orally rather than spelling it is pretty close to where we stand today so I think I will leave it at that!
The town has been famous for its woollen blankets since the Middle ages and the water used then to produce the goods was drawn from the beautiful River Windrush, which still today winds itself through part of the town and this water is believed to be the very special secret to the quality of this particular woollen product produced.
A pleasant walk around the town centre without spotting the shops or the numerous food and drink pit stops should see you find several remnants of the old Witenie and here below are a couple of beauts to start with.
The Buttercross :-
This iconic market cross was built and erected in the late 16th century and has in-scripted within the structure that a certain Gulilimus Blake Armiger of Cogges did this deed in 1683. This date in 1683 is when the cupola was added to the original composition.
In architecture, a cupola is a small, often dome-like, structure perched on top of a building.
In breakfast, an ola positioned within Granola, is a snack food consisting of rolled oats, nuts and honey…….just sayin’.
GBA resided at the epochal Manor Farm in Cogges of which we give a wee little mention to next.
Cogges Farm :-
With close on twenty acres of lovely grounds and farmland this historic farmstead is a super day out for adults and children alike. Cogges farm dates back to the 10th century so its probably older than most of the people on this website right now by about seven years!
The site has a manor house and is surrounded by a Norman moat which is now the location for an authentic playground which is funtastic for children of all ages.
The gaff has a farm shop selling gifts, a cafe which sells local beers, local sourced foodie stuff, ice cream and a whole lot more.
The farm is just a five minute walk from the town centre across the lovely area called ‘Langel Common’ which houses the glistening river Windrush. And in mentioning the river Windrush – did you know that the Pooh Sticks world championships are held on ‘Langel Common’ every June? (Unfortunately, it has now cleared off to South Oxfordshire again much to the dismay of nobody in Witneyshire)
The town itself has grown respectfully and is West Oxfordshire’s leading town with its vast array of businesses and plethora of shops.The town centre is littered with fascinating independent shops that sit defiantly next to famous leading ‘High Street’ names which in turn makes Witney such a strong and vibrant place to work, visit and live.
With the retail therapy done and dusted the town has plenty of places to eat, meet and greet.
It is served by over twenty decent boozers and within several of them some top notch gastro pubs have emerged with visitors/business people from all parts of Oxfordshire and beyond calling in to them on a regular basis.
Cafes are aplenty within the town centre.
With several restaurants from around the globe giving choice for differing palates.
The town benefits from a five screen cinema, The Witney Lakes Resort (Golf course etc), a leisure centre and several small green spaces to chill out on.
For sport luvvers the town is unfortunately short of representation in higher league football as ‘Witney Town FC disbanded and dissolved way back in 2013. However, North Leigh FC some three miles away are now West Oxfordshire’s leading football club competing in the Southern League Premier division south. The Millers play they stuff at Eynsham Park which is located on the Eynsham Hall estate.
As of 2024 Witney Town Fc have emerged once again and have started their journey in the senior Oxon league.
In the ol’ willow and baggy whites the town has two decent cricket teams in Witney Swifts and Witney Mills. Throughout the early summer through to late September the teams play their home Saturday matches at the Leys and Newland respectably.
For Rugby luvvers then look no further than to West Oxfordshire’s leading Rugby team Witney RFC. The Blues play their rugger in the Southern Counties League (North) the seventh tier of English rugby. They play their home games at their Hailey Road home on the outskirts of the town. The club benefits from a fabulous clubhouse and is generally on Guy Fawkes seasonal appearance the leading firework display gurus too!
Witney RFC run a successful women’s team plus lots of junior teams also.
Attractions within a 5 mile radius include :- Cogges Farm :- The Witney Blanket Hall :- The Wychwood Brewery :- Minster Lovell Ruins & Dovecote :- North Leigh Roman Villa ruins :- The Oxford Bus Museum :- St Mary’s Church :- Witney& District Museum :- Bishop’s Palace and of course the Witney Taxi Rank in the famous Market Square which also houses a market on two days of the week (Thurs & Sat) plus the Farmers market on the last Friday of every month.
September sees the famous Witney Feast Funfair begin the Autumn season with its white knuckle rides, children’s rides and side stalls but it is worth looking up the origin of the feast’s original beginning’s as this feast goes back hundreds of years. The feast resides on Witney’s largest park ‘The Leys’.
The town has a population of around 30,000 and has been growing quite rapidly and is today a very much sought after place to live, work and raise a family.
Not surprisingly the town has two very talented secondary schools plus a number of excellent primary schools and is served by two other nearby independent schools.
With a growing population the town has a broad selection of excellent health centres, several dental practices and a community hospital that has a minor injury clinic within.
The town benefits from great transport links including DMS taxis to get you to all of the places mentioned in a clean, air conditioned, comfortable and well maintained vehicle as well as a very structured bus link to the city of Oxford.
As of yet the town is still bereft of a railway station and Dr Beeching’s removal of the towns station in the 1960’s still rankles with many but a short taxi journey to either Long Hanborough Railway Station (approx 15 minutes- towards Oxford/London Paddington) or Charlbury Railway Station (20 minutes – towards Oxford/London Paddington) or Oxford Parkway Railway Station (25 minutes – towards Oxford/London Marylebone) or Oxford City Railway Station (25/35 minutes* – towards London Paddington) will short out any chaff from the weeds.
Outside of Witney and again by jumping into a licensed taxi (Hello…is that DMS taxis) a myriad of beautiful West Oxfordshire villages await.
Below is a small selection of chosen villages and towns to visit. DMS apologises profusely to any I’ve not mentioned!
Bladon :- Home of the resting place of the Churchill family noticeably Sir Winston Churchill. (15/20 minutes from Witney).
At the time of writing Bladon’s only pub ‘the White House’ (which Winny did have a sherbet or two in) has recently been refurbished and is now open serving lunches and a decent selection of ales and spirits.
Woodstock :- Home of Blenheim Palace (Winston Churchill was born at the palace in 1874) and the lovely small town of Woodstock with its fascinating blend of town pubs, independent shops, the Oxfordshire Museum and hotels. (20 minutes from Witney)
Bampton :- A quintessential town definitely worth a visit if you are a fan of the period drama ‘Downton Abbey’ which has seen many a scene shot in the church part of the town. (15/20 minutes from Witney)
Burford :- The gateway to the Cotswolds. Another must see classic quintessential gem. (15/20 minutes from Witney) NB The view from the top of the hill is a definite photo highlight!
The town of Witney and its surrounding areas have been used in many film and drama productions such as ITV’s ‘Downton Abbey’ which was filmed on location at Cogges Farm (Witney) and in the Cotswold village of Bampton.
Gulliver’s Travels starring Jack Black was also filmed within Cogges Farm with scenes also shot at Blenheim.
The palace has been used in lots of film scenes including the recent Transformers 5 and the BFG. Other notable movies include Cinderella, Rogue Nation, Spectre and Mission Impossible.
Stage and film director, producer and screenwriter Sir Sam Mendes has strong links with Woodstock as well as being the director of two blockbusting 007 films, Skyfall in 2012 and Spectre in 2015. No doubt whilst directing Spectre at BP he knew of a great place for a cup of cha.
Other places of interest nearby include :-
Old Minster (with its wonderful idyllic ruins) :- (10 minutes from Witney) Chipping Norton :- (30 minutes from Witney) Charlbury :- (15/20 minutes from Witney) Swinbrook (Pub) :- (15 minutes from Witney) Astall Leigh :- (15 minutes from Witney) Cotswold Wildlife Park :- (30 minutes from Witney) Radcot :- (25 minutes from Witney) Clanfield :- (20 minutes from Witney) Crocodiles of the World :- (20 minutes from Witney) Shipton u Wychwood :- (25 minutes from Witney) Chadlington :- (20 minutes from Witney) with Kingham/Churchill and Sarsden worth a visit too with their lovely country pubs and fabulous West Oxfordshire pathways.
Nudging over the border westwards into Gloucestershire a visit to Bibury (30 minutes from Witney) is a must with the villages between Aldsworth, Bibers and the roman town of Cirencester another on the must do hit list!
And if you like water then the town of Lechlade on Thames (30 minutes from Witney) is another nearby Gloucestershire favourite to visit with its famous inland port, boats and faux pas captains hats.
Now if it rains…we have an umbrella.
West Oxfordshire, a part of southern England that never fails to surprise the masses that still believe in Father Christmas.
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
DMS taxis of Witney 