Witney

Extract from Discovering Wychwood by Charles Keighley

'Wita's island'. The river Windrush, which passes through the town, was the south-west boundary of Wychwood Forest at Domesday. Famous since the Middle Ages for its blankets, there is still a blanket mill in Witney. The Blanket Hall, High Street, was built in 1721 for weighing and measuring blankets.

St Mary's Church, 13th century, is spacious with a spectacular tower and spire. Nearby Church Green is the prettiest part of Witney but Corn Street, Market Place, the High Street and Wood Green are all very handsome. Remnants of the Bishop of Winchester's medieval palace lie east of the church.

Cogges, originally a separate community across the river, with 14th-century St Mary's Church, and nowadays Cogges Manor Farm Museum.

South of Witney a water park is being created and a footpath leads from Langel Common 10 km (6 miles) down the Windrush to its junction with the Thames near the Rose Revived public house on the A415 beyond Standlake.

These meadowlands and marshy sites, prone to winter flooding, are valuable bird habitats.

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