About
Discover how the wool trade of old influenced the wealth, countryside and architecture of the Cotswolds in this lovely visit to the Witney Blanket Hall.
Built in 1721 by the Company of Blanket Makers, it was the place where every blanket woven in the town came to be weighed and measured for more than a century!
You’ll learn more from your guide over a welcome drink before heading out into Witney to visit many of the important buildings and landmarks relating to the world-famous blanket industry – as well as personal anecdotes about the town.
After a hearty lunch back at the Blanket Hall of homemade pie, mashed potatoes, pease pudding and onion gravy you’ll be able to choose a beautiful British woven woollen throw, Blanket Hall scarf or guide book (depending on the tour option chosen) to take away with you to remind you of your trip to the wonderful town of Witney.
Witney Blanket Hall was built in 1721 by the Company of Blanket Makers. For over 120 years, every blanket woven in the town came to the Hall to be weighed and quality controlled, and upstairs in the Great Room the Company set the Rules for the Trade. After 1845 the New Mills established their own measuring, and the redundant Blanket Hall became variously a Brewery, a Lemonade Factory, Engineering Shop, Office of births marriages and deaths, Dancing School, and latterly, a distinctive gentleman’s house. During most of its history, the Hall is also where many of the town’s Public Meetings took place, the death of kings solemnly commemorated and the birth of princes celebrated with great feasts. In the 18th century, the Hall housed the town’s fire pump. In 2015, the Hall reopened its doors to reveal this illustrious past and offer woollen blankets and throws, coffee pies and assemblies, both commercial and cultural. Visitors are always welcome and are invited to come and find out more about the infamous Witney Blankets.
The Pie Shop offers its famous pies and platters, as well as tea, coffee and cakes. We are licenced so wine and Blanket Hall Beer are always available. Tour of the Blanket Hall usually take place at 2pm but can be arranged at other times by pre-booking. The Hall can also be open outside hours by arrangement. Please email eleanor@blankethall.co.uk for more details.
Booking
Price: Option 1: Tour, Lunch and a woollen throw – £115; Option 2: Tour, Lunch and a Blanket Scarf – £60; Option 3: Tour, Lunch and a Blanket Hall Guide Book - £40
Duration: 3 - 4 hours. Shorter experiences are available, please contact for details.
Capacity: Maximum group size – 16.
Opening: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday – 10am – 4pm. Closed between Christmas and New Year.
Booking: Advance booking required. To book please contact the trade contact below.
Facilities
Language: Guests will need an intermediate level of English to fully appreciate the experience. But we will of course help anyone where possible who does not have good English.
Parking: There is plenty of free parking within Witney, with the closest car park being a 3 minute walk. Visitors can also be dropped-off and picked-up outside the Blanket Hall.
Accessibility: The ground floor of the Blanket Hall is fully accessible for wheelchair users and the first floor can be reached using a small lift (not large enough for a wheelchair). The walk around Witney is mostly on the flat but will involves approx 1.5 hours of walking. We can tailor the walk to suit different levels of mobility.
Special requirements: Footwear needs to be suitable for walking – it is mostly on the roads or good paths. A rain coat and warm layer is advisable.
Trade contact
eleanor@blankethall.co.uk
01993 706408
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
