Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Olney is a historic market town situated on the west bank of the River Great Ouse in the north of Buckinghamshire. The town has Saxon origins, developing from a village into a planned market town in the 13th century. The town still hosts a market each Thursday. Lace-making and shoe-making later became key industries. The Church of St Peter and St Paul (C of E) dates from the 14th century. A calamitous fire in 1854 destroyed many of the older thatched buildings and led to the the distinctive Victorian brick character of much of the town's High Street. The Olney Pancake race, in which local women race from the market place to the church while flipping pancakes, has been held since 1445. The Olney Hymns, first published in 1779, are the combined work of local curate and noted-abolitionist John Newton and his poet friend William Cowper. Amazing Grace was first written in 1772. The Cowper & Newton Museum is located in Cowper's house. The town is within the council area of Milton Keynes.

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Buckinghamshire
Lat, Long: 52.152991,-0.701739
Grid Reference: SP 8892 5131
Civil Parish: Olney CP
Council Area: Milton Keynes CA
Police Area: Thames Valley PA

GBPN ID: 33999
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Olney,_Buckinghamshire_33999

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