useful information 

Information 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. Olney is popular with visitors, with many places to stay, shop, drink and eat. 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 visiting the Olney Town Council Website. More information about Olney can be found at www.olney.co.uk. 
 
Shopping 
Olney has a wide variety of individual shops, antique emporiums and places to eat and drink. Many of these establishments are open on Sundays. Please see individual member pages for opening times. 
 
Markets 
The Market Place is the lively heart of the town, around which many shops and restaurants are located. There is a weekly market here every Thursday and a Farmers’ Market is held on the first Sunday of each month. 
 
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 01234 490377 
 
 
Schools 
Olney is favoured with three excellent and award winning schools and a pre-school. 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 provides the town with secondary education. 
 
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. 
 
Parking 
All parking in Olney is FREE although in some areas there are time restrictions.  
 
Please see individual on street notices for details. 
Useful Links 
Olney Shops Social Media Links 
Phone Numbers 
Designed and created by it'seeze