Olney offers a range of reasons to visit: the Church of St Peter and Paul, the history of lace-making and the annual Pancake Race. Together, they raise questions about local history, culture and the best time to visit.

The church and stories about Cowper and Newton

St Peter and Paul is a Grade I listed 14th-century church. An unusual architectural feature is its openwork spire, a form typical of Northamptonshire. The church is historically connected with John Newton and William Cowper. John Newton is buried in the churchyard.

The Cowper & Newton Museum also explores this local history. It has a room dedicated to John Newton’s life in Olney as curate of St Peter and Paul. The museum’s historic house contains numerous personal artefacts and objects. William Cowper lived at Orchard Side House from 1768 to 1786.

Lace-making and other cultural topics

The Lacemakers Room opened in August 2021. Information panels, lace on display and lacemaking tools tell the story of the lace-makers in Olney and the surrounding villages. The subject reaches far back into the town’s history: from the late 16th century to the late 19th century, Olney was a lace-making town. Plants introduced to the United Kingdom before 1800 grow in the museum’s Flower Garden.

Another local detail is the Lace & Grace sculpture. It stands outside the Olney Community Centre on Winterbottom Way. There is more than one way to explore Olney’s cultural history: church connections, the museum’s stories and the history of a local craft sit side by side.

The Pancake Race and events throughout the year

The Olney Pancake Race takes place annually on Shrove Tuesday; St Peter and Paul is its venue. The tradition dates back to 1445. Since 1950, Olney has competed in an international Pancake Race against the women of Liberal, Kansas, in the United States. A long-standing local tradition and an international contest come together in this event.

The Cherry Fair is also one of Olney’s spring events and takes place near St Peter and Paul. The Farmers Market offers locally produced goods and is held on the first Sunday of each month. If you want to plan your trip around an event or the market, check the dates in advance.

The Heritage Trail and other local details

The Olney High Street Heritage Trail takes around 45 to 60 minutes to complete on foot. It starts in the market square, more specifically on the pavement outside the Cherry Tree Restaurant, formerly known as Westlands. A self-guided walk also starts in the market square, outside the Cowper & Newton Museum. These details give you specific ways to include a walk in your day’s plans.

The Recreation Fields lead to the river and include a children’s playground. So, alongside the cultural attractions, there is also a local area associated with the river and a playground to choose from. Which of these interests matters to you may help determine when to visit and how long to stay.

If you are looking for a hotel in Olney, you could start by considering whether a particular event or the town’s history should be the focus of your trip. The event dates are relevant for the Pancake Race and the Cherry Fair; for the Heritage Trail, the estimated walking time of 45 to 60 minutes provides a practical guide for planning your day. Check the dates before your trip if the market or events are important to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Broughton, Cold Brayfield, Willen, Woolstone, Stony Stratford, Bletchley, Kingston, Sherington.

For the broader travel overview: Milton Keynes.