The Magnificent Market Town of Witney, Oxfordshire

Town information- The magnificent market townBlenheim Palace with it's beautiful paintings and
of Witney, Oxfordshire, founded in AD 969, liesporcelain collections fill the State Rooms, once
on the banks of the River Windrush in thehome to the Duke of Marlborough as well as
south-east region of England in the sovereignbirthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in 1874, also
state of the United Kingdom with an estimatedlocated in the region. The Museums and Palace are
population of 22,765 inhabitants. Records indicateabsolute must-see's for any history lover.
the area was originally a Roman settlement withFarmer Markets- Witney holds its market day in
evidence of its existence dating as far back asthe Market Place ever 3rd Wednesday of the
the Iron Ages. The Doomesday survey alsomonth, with farmers supplying an endless range
refers to the region with it's two grinding cornof top quality, fresh products including fruit,
mills and one cloth mill established in 1277. Localsveggies, meat, fish and eggs, not to mention
made their living for centuries from the boomingdelicious local delicacies, cakes and pastries. The
blanket manufacturing industry with manufacturingmarket is organised by the Thamas Valley
unfortunately grinding to an abrupt halt in 2002Farmers' Market Co-Operative, supporting local
when the main blanket mill was closed down.growth and development.
Pieces of history- Coggess Manor Farm as well asShopping- You will find a variety of exquisite
Witney and District Museums are rich in townshops on the longest street in the towns' centre,
history with wonderful document and artefactCorn Street as well as Witney High Street,
exhibitions. Especially the Coggess Museum isincluding large International retailers as well as local
great tribute to the Witney Blanket Market.shops and food outlets.