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Pictures of Olney

a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire

Church at Olney, Buckinghamshire

About Olney

Amongst other things the small town of Olney in Buckinghamshire is famous for its hymns - Amazing Grace was one of the so-called Olney Hymns written by the rector John Newton, and William Cowper, the poet. William Cowper came to live in Olney in 1757, he spent the last 20 years of his life here. His house is now The William Cowper Museum.

The history of Olney stretches way back, it was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. It's welcoming town sign gives some hint that you are entering an historic market town and this quickly becomes evident as you gaze around at the town noting the wide High Street, and the friendly atmosphere at the weekly and monthly markets where local produce is sold.

The town is a tranquil place set peacefully beside the River Ouse. The High Street is lined with gracious properties mostly of the 18th century of which many are now listed. There are three good church buildings, the United Reform Church is probably the third church to stand on its spot, it is full of Victorian splendour and was built between 1879-1880. The delightful building housing the Baptist Chapel is in Market Place and St.Peter and St.Paul is believed to have been a foundation of 1018, with the present church, built in an entirely different location to the original, is a magnificent church in the Decorated-Gothic style of the 14th century. Its attractive 185 ft high broach tower soars above the town, making it a landmark spotted from miles around. The church, the meandering river, and the fine multi-arched bridge spanning the Ouse in the distance define the lush rural landscape as you approach the town from the east.

Since 1445, every Pancake Day has seen the town stage its pancake race, but this is no longer a "fun" event for the townsfolk, but a spirited competition between Olney and the good people of Liberal, Kansas, U.S.A as they compete for the fastest time!

Visitors will find this an enjoyable town for either a weekend stay or for a Sunday afternoon visit to explore the wealth of antique shops and craft galleries. Enthusiastic followers of fashion will be delighted at the number of up-market boutiques, in these you are usually greeted by the owner offering friendly service and often, that something a little bit different from what is crammed into the usual High Street stores.

Olney has excellent inns, cafe's, restaurants and friendly hotels. It has lovely leafy lanes for walking, particularly near to the river. Its fine architectural gems blend well with fresh housing development, making it a desirable place to reside.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Olney

Emberton Country Park(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction SW)Pictures
Chicheley Hall(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction S)Pictures
Castle Ashby House(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)Pictures
Salcey Forest(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction W)Pictures
Harrold-Odell Country Park(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
Stevington Country Park(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction E)Pictures
Santa Pod Raceway(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NE)Pictures
Billing Aquadrome(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction NW)Pictures
Irchester Country Park(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction N)Pictures
Sywell Reservoir Country Park(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW)Pictures
Abington Park Museum(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Bletchley Park(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction S)Pictures
Woburn Safari Park(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
Houghton House(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Woburn Abbey(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction S)Pictures

All attractions in Olney
All attractions in Buckinghamshire
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Recommended towns near Olney

Newport Pagnell in the county of Buckinghamshire (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction S)
Visitors here can find plenty to interest them, the town has the world's oldest iron-bridge still in use for motorised traffic.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Milton Keynes in the county of Buckinghamshire (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction S)
Of interest to visitors to the town is Milton Keynes Museum, this preserves the history of the town and its area from the early 19th century through to the present day.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stoke Bruerne in the county of Northamptonshire (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction W)
Lying just south of Northampton this beautiful canal village offers a wealth of interest to any boating enthusiast or any country lover.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stony Stratford in the county of Buckinghamshire (9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bedford in the county of Bedfordshire (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction E)
Bedford is the historic County town of Bedfordshire with a beautiful riverside setting on the great River Ouse. John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's has strong associations with this town.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Northampton in the county of Northamptonshire (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NW)
The landscape of Northampton is dotted with reminders of its illustrious history. Despite the great fire of 1675 when much of...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Elstow in the county of Bedfordshire (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction E)
Elstow's fine Moot Hall is a building of 1500, this is a medieval market hall which is open to the public, it houses a collection illustrating John Bunyan's life and times.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bletchley in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Woburn in the county of Bedfordshire (12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction S)
The picturesque village of Woburn has an mixture of delightful old cottages and the magnificent Woburn Abbey.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ampthill in the county of Bedfordshire (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE)
The lovely town of Ampthill lies sheltered by hills in the sandstone belt of Bedfordshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cardington in the county of Bedfordshire (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction E)
The rural town of Cardington has a double claim to fame
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Willington in the county of Bedfordshire (13.8 miles, 22.1 km, direction E)
Willington lies on the south east outskirts of Bedford, it is most notable for its Dovecote, an oblong structure with nesting...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Clophill in the county of Bedfordshire (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction SE)
A village surrounded by woodlands and famous for the art of straw plaiting used to make straw boater hats. Legend has it that...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Silsoe in the county of Bedfordshire (15.3 miles, 24.7 km, direction SE)
Silsoe is mostly noted for Wrest Park, a mansion in French Chateaux style which was the home of the de Grey family.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Old Warden in the county of Bedfordshire (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction E)
Old Warden is a sleepy Bedfordshire village with pretty honey-coloured thatched cottages and a wealth of other interesting buildings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Buckinghamshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M1 Junction 14(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Wolverton Station(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SW)
M1 Junction 15(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction W)
Milton Keynes Central Station(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction S)
London Luton Airport(23.9 miles, 38.4 km, direction SE)
Cambridge Airport(37.4 miles, 60.2 km, direction E)
Olney to London(51.0 miles, 82.1 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Olney

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Olney center
Swan Revived Hotel(4.8 miles, 7.6 km, direction S)
Harben House(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction S)
The Falcon Hotel(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction N)
Hatton Court Hotel(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction SW)
Holiday Inn Milton Keynes East M1 Junc 14(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction S)
Broughton Hotel(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction S)
Express By Holiday Inn Northampton(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction W)
Queens Head Hotel(8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction E)
The Worlds End(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction NW)
Mercure Parkside Milton Keynes(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction S)
All hotels in Olney


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