Witney is a fairly small town in Oxfordshire, just north of the A40 west of Oxford.

The small town has been famous for its blankets since the Middle Ages. The water for the production of these blankets is drawn from the River Windrush which was believed to be the secret of Witney's high quality blankets. However, with the closure of Early's a few years ago, the town's blanket industry has completely ceased to exist.

In recent years, the town has expanded rapidly, but has still retained some of its charms as a market town in the Cotswolds. The market dates back to the middle ages, and the market square, at the top of the High Street, features the town's most distinctive landmark: the Buttercross, so called because people from neighbouring towns would gather there to buy butter and eggs. The building is mediaeval, but features a clock that was added in 1683.

The town hall dates from the 17th century, and according to local legend was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, though there is little evidence to support this claim. The church of St. Mary was built in the 13th century. West End, on the Charlbury Road, is one of Britain's best preserved streets, and was the inspiration for the song Just an Old Fashioned House in an Old Fashioned Street.

Nearby settlements include Abingdon, Bicester, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Faringdon, Oxford, Swindon, and Wantage.

See also

• David Cameron Conservative MP representing Witney in Parliament
• Andrew Logan, artist, born & raised in Witney.