Witney

Witney is a town (population: 22,765 - 2001 census) in Oxfordshire, 12 miles west of Oxford and just north of the A40 trunk road.

Related Topics:
2001 census - Oxfordshire - Oxford - A40

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The small town has been famous for its blankets since the Middle Ages. The water for the production of these blankets is drawn from the River Windrush which was believed to be the secret of Witney's high quality blankets. At one time there were five blanket factories in the town, but, with the closure of the largest blanket maker Early's a few years ago, the town's blanket industry has completely ceased to exist.

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In recent years, the town has expanded rapidly, but has still retained some of its charms as a market town in the Cotswolds. The market dates back to the middle ages, and the market square, at the top of the High Street, features the town's most distinctive landmark: the Buttercross, so called because people from neighbouring towns would gather there to buy butter and eggs. The building is medieval, but features a clock that was added in 1683. Thursday is the traditional market day, but Saturday also sees a market taking place as well.

Related Topics:
Cotswolds - Medieval - 1683

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The town hall dates from the 17th century, and according to local legend was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, though there is little evidence to support this claim. The church of St. Mary was built in the 13th century. West End, on the road to Hailey, is one of Britain's best preserved streets, and was the inspiration for the song Just an Old Fashioned House in an Old Fashioned Street.

Related Topics:
17th century - Sir Christopher Wren - 13th century

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For many years, Witney had a famous brewery - Clinch and Co which was later taken over by Courage who closed down the brewing operation. However in recent years, on the site of the old brewery, brewing was revived by the establishment of a micro brewery known as the Wychwood Brewery whose most well known beer Hobgoblin is brewed along with other speciality ales.

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Witney has two splended museums - The Cogges Museum housed in the old manor house of Cogges which is dedicated to farming and countryside history and the Witney and District Museum which has many artefacts and documents covering the history of the town.

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Nearby settlements include Abingdon, Bampton, Bicester, Burford, Carterton, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Faringdon, Oxford, Swindon, and Wantage.

Related Topics:
Abingdon - Bampton - Bicester - Burford - Carterton - Charlbury - Chipping Norton - Cirencester - Faringdon - Oxford - Swindon - Wantage

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