Witney - Blanket coverage

The thriving heart of West Oxfordshire, Witney is a town on a steady upward trajectory.

It is characterised by charming Cotswold Stone buildings, a picturesque church green and bustling High Street.

And its free parking, good selection of clothing outlets and selection of good cafes gives the
town a claim to being one of the county’s best shopping destinations.

Historically it was renowned for its blankets, owing to wide-open landscapes, perfect for grazing sheep, good road connections and a fast-flowing river – the Windrush – that powered the fulling mills for cloth.

At its peak, in the 1930s, some 700,000 blankets were being produced by the town each year, an impressive fifth of the national output.

But a decline that started in the 1970s, as duvets became the new norm, ended when the last mill closed in 2002.

These days, Witney’s modern claim to fame is its MP, Prime Minister David Cameron.

But along with the nearby town, Carterton, it is also the fastest growing place in West Oxfordshire, with a population of about 28,000 and counting.

The last census carried out also revealed it has seen a big growth in professional occupations and services, echoing national trends across the UK.

The town’s many attractive qualities continue to make it a popular location for visitors and property hunters alike.

SHOPPING

For Witney’s core offer of shoe shops, book shops, hardware stores, small businesses, antiques, charity shops and the market (on Thursday and Saturdays), look no further than High Street.

The main backbone of the town, it stretches north from the Buttercross and Church Green to the Plough pub. There is also a selection of big-hitting chains – including a large Waitrose store and a Next – down Wesley Walk.

Halfway up High Street, down Welch Way, the newer Marriotts Walk development can also boast an M&S, Debenhams, New Look, Fat Face and others. At the bottom of Church Green, just southeast of St Mary’s Church, is a large Sainsbury’s store, the biggest supermarket in town. There are also more shops to be found along Corn Street.

FOOD AND DRINK

A strong offering of pubs will leave you spoilt for choice if you’re looking for somewhere to grab a quick pint.

Though Witney tends to lean towards the gastro pub scene, with venues such as The Fleece in Church Green and The Horseshoes in Corn Street, there are also more traditional pubs such as the Cross Keys and the Eagle Vaults in High Street and the Angel in Church Green where you can watch the football.

For a cheap drink and bite to eat, the local JD Wetherspoons – named The Company of Weavers, for the town’s blanket heritage – can also not be ignored.

Both Marriotts Walk and Wesley Walk offer well-known café chains such as Costa, Caffe Nero and Starbucks, but independent coffee shops such as the relatively new Coffeesmith can also be found near Market Square.

New and upcoming places to eat include the bar and grill at Fat Lil’s and the Como Lounge Bar, but there is also a Greggs the Bakers and a Subway in Welch Way, as well as Indian, Thai and Italian restaurants.

In the evenings, what Witney lacks in nightlife – the only late night bars are Nortons, off Langdale Gate, and Fat Lil’s in Corn Street – it makes up for in its pubs, which come with a cosy atmosphere.

ENTERTAINMENT

A five-screen Cineworld in Marriotts Walk arguably forms the centerpiece of Witney’s limited entertainment offering, but Fat Lil’s also hosts regular live shows of music and comedy.

For history buffs, the Witney and District Museum, at the north end of High Street, offers an intriguing look at the town’s history, particularly of its association with the blanket trade.

And out of the town centre to the east is Cogges Manor Farm, a 13th-century manor house with 17th-century farm buildings that will delight families with young children.

Bishop’s Palace is also worth a visit, the 12th-century residency of the Bishop of Winchester – to whom Witney owes its origins. There are also plenty of green spaces to kick back in during the summer.

Church Green is the most central spot and often the most popular, while the Leys – just south of St
Mary’s Church, is bigger and used frequently for sports, including mini-golf.

For an alternative picnic location, try the green outside the Holy Trinity Church at the north end of town.