About Olney

Our charming and historic market town is in the very north of Buckinghamshire; roughly 12 miles from Northampton, Wellingborough, Bedford and Milton Keynes (directions are here). Olney is popular with visitors, with many places to stay, drink and eat. You can link here to Visit Olney.com. Details of popular events in Olney such as the world famous Olney pancake race and our vibrant Dickens of a Christmas event are available by clicking here.  

Markets

The Market Place is the lively heart of the town, around which many shops and restaurants are located (see the Olney Chamber of Trade). There is a weekly market here every Thursday. A Farmers’ Market is held on the first Sunday of each month. For more information please click here. 
 

 Parks

There are some very peaceful places to enjoy a little tranquillity, including Cherry Orchard, by the Cemetery. The River Ouse to the south and east of the town has water meadows bounded by Clifton hills and this creates a large area of attractive landscape, where you can walk and picnic.

The Recreation Gound in East Street is a popular place for leisure time and has a children's play area. Emberton Park to the south of the town was created in the 1960’s from disused gravel pits. There is a caravan and camping park as well as a sailing club located within the park. The lakes provide fishing and there are two children’s playgrounds. 

 
Museum

Olney is famous for its connection to the poet William Cowper and John Newton, the ex-slave trader, who together composed the Olney Hymns including “Amazing Grace”.

The Cowper and Newton Museum, on the southern side of the Market Place, is located in the house where Cowper lived from 1769 until 1786. It was here that he wrote much of his poetry.

The Museum also contains a fine collection of Buckinghamshire lace, which was at one time the main occupation of the townsfolk. For more on the museum please click here.
 

Doctors

Cobbs Garden Surgery in West Street is the main medical centre. The Surgery telephone number is 08444778612. Click here to link to its website for opening hours or for information on the district Nurses and midwives who also operate from the Surgery.

Schools

Olney is favoured with three excellent and award winning schools and a pre-school (click on each to link to its website). Olney Pre-School is located at the The Olney Centre. Olney Infants School takes children until year 2 when they can move to Olney Middle School. Ousedale School, Olney Campus prvoides secondary education at a new facility.

Sports and Recreation 

The Recreation Gound in East Street is the main centre for outdoor sports, including tennis, bowls, cricket, rugby and football. It is administered by Olney Town Council and representatives from the clubs that use the facility.

For information and contact details of the clubs, please click here. We are currently updating our list of other clubs in Olney.

Please contact the Town Clerk's office for more information 
(see contact details left).