Olney Town Council

The Olney Centre, High Street, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EF
Tel: 01234 711679 Fax: 01234 241107 Email: pat.slaney@olneytowncouncil.co.uk

Quick Guide to Olney

The small market town of Olney is in the very north of the County of Buckinghamshire and is roughly about 12 miles from Northampton, Wellingborough, Bedford and Milton Keynes.

Olney is administered by Milton Keynes Council. Olney Town Council has an office in The Olney Centre; an old Victorian stone built school at the northern end of the High Street which has been very tastefully converted to form a Community Centre and Library.

Markets, Museums & Country Parks

The town centres around the Market Place and a business general market is held here every Thursday. A Farmers’ Market is held on the first Sunday of each month.

The Cowper Museum is on the southern side of the Market Place. The poet William Cowper lived here from 1769 until 1786 and it was in this house that he wrote much of his poetry and, in conjunction with John Newton, the ex-slave trader, composed the Olney Hymns including “Amazing Grace”. The Museum contains a fine collection of Buckinghamshire lace, which was at one time the main occupation of the townsfolk.

Olney has many eating places specialising in food from different countries as well as some excellent pubs.

There are some very peaceful places to enjoy a little tranquillity, including Cherry Orchard, which is situated 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.

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.