Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Witney, Oxfordshire

A pedestrian-friendly market town, Witney is situated in verdant countryside between the eastern edge of the Cotswolds and the River Thames.

Since the Medieval era, Witney has been renowned for its woollen blankets, crafted using water sourced from the River Windrush, which was believed to contribute to their superior quality.

Although the blanket industry has significantly declined, the 18th-century Blanket Hall, where blankets were measured and weighed, has recently reopened. Additionally, the local museum showcases exhibits that commemorate this historic trade.

Wychwood, recognized as the United Kingdom’s largest organic brewer, operates in Witney. The town hosts a market twice weekly and boasts a vibrant High Street filled with reputable chain stores as well as independent businesses.

1. Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges is a remarkable piece of rural heritage, originating in the 13th century, and consists of farm buildings, a manor house, a walled garden, and an orchard.

This site was used as a filming location for the period drama Downton Abbey, serving as a heritage attraction that appeals to individuals of all ages.

Children will enjoy interacting with pygmy goats, Shetland ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs, and Oxford sandy and black pigs.

Many of these animals can be interacted with during the “meet the animals” sessions held on weekends.

The grounds cover 15 acres, featuring a walled garden and an orchard cultivating various fruit types, including Moorpark apricot, Cox, Blenheim orange, and Morello cherry.

The Cogges Kitchen serves locally roasted coffee and homemade scones, utilizing ingredients sourced from the walled garden. The Manor House regularly opens for tours, primarily dating from the 16th century while exhibiting some remnants of its 13th-century origins in the kitchen, hall, and dairy.

2. Witney High Street

Many of Witney’s amenities and notable landmarks are located along the lengthy High Street, which is flanked by buildings constructed from Cotswold stone.

Commencing at the southern end is the Butter Cross, positioned opposite an 18th-century Town Hall.

This Classical structure features an arcade supported by Tuscan columns.

The Victorian Corn Exchange, dating from 1863, frequently hosts exhibitions and live music events. More details will follow regarding the 18th-century Blanket Hall in the subsequent section.

A picturesque row of lime trees decorates the west side of the street, while a mix of well-known UK high street chains and numerous locally-owned shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants compete for attention.

3. The Witney Blanket Hall

Established in 1721, Witney’s Company of Blanket Makers inaugurated the Blanket Hall to oversee the blanket manufacturing sector.

For the ensuing 120 years, every blanket crafted in Witney was required to be presented at this location for assessment and weighing.

In the Great Room on the upper floor, the Company convened to establish the trade regulations.

Following the establishment of independent mills in 1845 that utilized their own standards, the Blanket Hall became obsolete. Subsequently, it served various functions, ranging from a brewery to a wedding venue, lemonadery, and an opulent private residence.

In 2015, the Blanket Hall reopened as a museum that chronicles Witney’s connection with blankets and the individuals involved in this industry.

Visitors can tour the Blanket Hall and purchase authentic woollen blankets while enjoying a café and pie shop, complemented by a pleasant garden that descends toward the river.

4. Minster Lovell Hall

Constructed in the 1430s by one of the wealthiest individuals of the time, William, Baron of Lovell and Holand, this manor house is situated by the River Windrush.

Minster Lovell Hall originally surrounded a square on three sides and featured a tower at its south-west corner.

Among the notable guests in the 15th century was Richard III; however, following his defeat at the Battle of Bosworth, the manor was confiscated by the crown and subsequently transferred to the uncle of Henry VII, later becoming the property of Henry VIII’s grooms of the stool (essentially toilet attendants). The extensive Grade I ruins are maintained by English Heritage and consist of the partially intact hall, the corner tower, and a nearby dovecote, all amidst a scenic riverside backdrop.

5. St Mary’s Church

A designated Grade I monument, St Mary’s Church has Norman origins and incorporates elements from various Medieval English architectural styles, including Norman Romanesque and 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic.

The oldest sections include the north aisle and the north porch.

The north porch, which dates back to the 12th century, features a distinctive Romanesque round arch and foliate capitals on its jambs.

During the 13th century, the tower, spire, transepts, and chancel were renovated in the Early English style, with the side chapels added approximately a century later.

The magnificent Perpendicular west window was crafted in the 15th century.

Within the south chapel, visitors will encounter a tomb chest for one Richard Wennan (d. 1501) and his two wives, complemented by 14th-century effigies of a man and woman in the north transept. The north-west chapel also houses an effigy of a clergyman, equally dating from the 14th century.

6. Witney and District Museum

Open from Wednesday to Saturday between April and October, this local museum is entirely operated by dedicated volunteers, providing valuable insights into the history of Witney and its neighboring areas.

Visitors can explore the town’s trademark industries such as blanket-making, glove-making, and brewing.

The museum features a functioning loom, an impressive collection of local handcrafted toys, and engaging reconstructions of a Victorian classroom and a 1950s kitchen, all utilizing authentic furniture and props.

A variety of artefacts is on display, including fossils, Roman items from the North Leigh Villa (covered below), and Medieval objects excavated from Witney’s Bishop’s Palace and Minster Lovell Hall.

The tourist information center is located in the same building, and the adjacent café provides a perfect opportunity to conclude a visit.

7. Witney Butter Cross

An enduring landmark situated in Market Square, Witney’s Butter Cross is a Grade II* market shelter erected at the turn of the 17th century.

This structure features a timber frame supported by 13 round ashlar limestone pillars.

The small Baroque cupola atop the structure is a later addition from 1683, which incorporates a clock, sundial, and a medallion inscribed with, “Erected 1683 by Gulilmus Blake Armiger of Cogges.”

8. Wychwood Brewery

Producing 50,000 barrels (8,200,000 liters) of cask ale annually, Wychwood Brewery stands as the largest producer of organic ales in the country.

The brewery is particularly recognized for its Hobgoblin brown ale, which, similar to the rest of its offerings, draws inspiration from the folklore of the ancient Wychwood Forest, once prevalent in the landscape north and west of Witney.

Guided tours of the Witney headquarters are highly recommended.

These tours last two hours and encompass a comprehensive view of processes ranging from raw ingredients to the final product.

Visitors will witness the large copper mash tuns and learn about the double drop brewing method employed for Brakspear’s ale, which Wychwood acquired in 2002. At the conclusion of the tour, participants have the opportunity to sample either a Hobgoblin or a selection of Wychwood and Brakspear brews.

9. Crocodiles of the World

This distinctive zoo, founded in 2011 by conservationist Shaun Foggett, has thrived and relocated to its current site in Brize Norton in 2014 due to expansion.

Crocodiles of the World houses over 150 crocodiles from 17 species (out of a total of 24), making it the only zoo in the UK dedicated to crocodiles.

Visitors will encounter formidable saltwater crocodiles, in addition to more obscure species like the endangered Siamese and Cuban crocodiles, tomistoma, slender-snouted crocodile, Cuvier’s caiman, black caiman, and broad-snouted caiman.

The zoo also features various mammals, including meerkats, Asian short-clawed otters, and rare cotton-topped tamarins, along with multiple species of monitor lizards, snakes, tortoises, and a small collection of exotic birds.

10. North Leigh Roman Villa

Located in the Evenlode Valley, visitors can explore the remnants of a Roman courtyard villa that dates back to around the early 2nd century AD, although the site has older, Iron Age origins.

The villa underwent its initial excavation in the 1810s, followed by further excavation in 1910, and an aerial survey in 1943 identified an unseen west wing.

By the 4th century, this residence was opulent, containing 60 rooms on three sides of the courtyard, including four baths, 11 rooms heated by hypocaust, and 16 adorned with mosaics.

One of these mosaics, dating to the 3rd century and believed to have adorned the dining room, is preserved in situ and protected by a shed with glass.

11. Oxford Bus Museum

This museum chronicles 200 years of transportation history in Oxfordshire, showcasing everything from a rudimentary hobby-horse bicycle to a collection of 40 historical buses and coaches.

Visitors will also find a preserved horse-drawn tram, along with various public transport memorabilia such as ticket machines, bus stops, uniforms, posters, and timetables, complemented by an exhibition of monochromatic photographs.

More than half of the museum’s buses and coaches were operated by City of Oxford Motor Services, showcasing a range from a 1913 Commer WP3 to a 1999 Dennis Trident.

Since 2004, it has also hosted the Morris Museum, which narrates the story of this local manufacturer, featuring 11 Morris cars and one van.

Additionally, the Morris Museum houses the Faulkner Collection, which displays 40 bicycles primarily from the 19th century, including the Singleton English velocipede and the Penny Farthing.

12. Witney Lake and Country Park (Ducklington Lake)

Located just across the A40, less than a mile from the town center, a lake, wet meadow, and grazing land encompass over 70 acres.

This lake was formed through gravel extraction and is notably deep, with steep drops and no muddy edges or beaches.

A path skirted by picnic tables and benches has been recently improved, providing a pleasant stroll around the lake.

This area is a sanctuary for birdlife, where one might observe kingfishers and swifts during summer, alongside snipes and lapwings in the winter months, while great crested grebes are present year-round.

13. Bishop’s Palace

East of St Mary’s Church, within the grounds of Mount House, lies the remnants of a once-grand manor house that belonged to the Bishop of Winchester.

An archaeological excavation has unearthed a series of buildings surrounding a courtyard, encircled by a moat.

These remnants are sheltered by a canopy and may demand a bit of imaginative interpretation, as the original structures were dismantled in the mid-18th century.

However, it may inspire visitors to reflect on the famous historical figures who once visited this location, notably King John around 1209. New garderobes were even constructed in preparation for his visit!

14. Witney Lakes Resort

Located on the western outskirts of Witney, this upscale leisure destination offers a variety of activities, whether you’re interested in a spa day or playing a round of golf.

The facility features an 18-hole par-71 championship golf course set in scenic terrain.

With challenging doglegs, long drives, and technical par 3s, players will need to employ every club and skill available.

It is advisable to check the website for discounted green fees (One Ball, £22 on weekdays and £26 on weekends). The spa at Witney Lakes offers an extensive range of treatments, from various types of massages to facials, wraps, manicures, waxing, and tanning.

15. Woolgate Centre

Situated on Market Square in Witney’s conservation area, this shopping center is intelligently designed to harmonize with the local architecture, employing Cotswold stone and traditional construction styles.

Visitors will discover well-known retailers such as Waitrose, Waterstones, H&M, Next, Game, and Holland & Barrett, alongside a selection of independent shops, fostering a sense of collaboration with the town center.

For socializing and refreshments, branches of Costa Coffee and Starbucks are available, as well as a variety of pubs, cafes, and restaurants located just across the High Street (including The Eagle Vaults, The Blue Boar, Ye Olde Cross Keys, Como Lounge, and Bill’s Witney).