Witney Blanket Hall

From the 18th century onwards, the Blanket Hall was home to the company producing Witney blankets, eventually supplying customers right across the world. It now operates as a museum preserving that industrial heritage.

The exhibits walk you through how blanket-making became the economic foundation of Witney, showing the actual looms, manufacturing processes, and the workers who spent their days here. What makes the space special is that it retains its character as a genuine working factory rather than a carefully curated display — you get an honest sense of what daily life felt like for the weavers and factory workers operating these machines.

You won't need hours to see everything here, but the museum offers genuine insight into a side of the Cotswolds that doesn't often come up in conversation. Most visitors encounter country house collections, so this museum stands out as something different and compelling. The staff really know their subject and are keen to share Witney's story with you.

The town itself is a busy market town about 12 miles west of Oxford, with an active high street for shopping and several solid options for food and drinks. If you're drawn to textile history or interested in how working towns have evolved over centuries, this museum deserves a visit.