When Olney the best will do!

Christmas gift giving is a joy, but buying those gifts can be a whole lot more fraught. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a stress of endless queues and watching the parking meter.

A trip to picturesque Olney is a more leisurely way to shop, while also soaking up the rich history of this wonderful town. Famously, during the eighteenth century, Olney was home to poet William Cowper and curate John Newton, who penned the hymn, Amazing Grace.

It’s a fun place too – the origin of the world-famous pancake race.

In the lead up to Christmas, Olney’s historic stone buildings, quirky store fronts and Market Square become a twinkly festive hub. It is the perfect place to shop from a parade of independent suppliers.

My Little Vintage is a must-visit for gifts galore; from handcrafted furniture to home accessories, and it effortlessly blends the new with old – with an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, crockery and glassware, and ‘oodles of other pretty things.’

You’ll want to look your best for those Christmas parties, and Dusk till Dawn has rack after rack of premier occasion wear, with a wide choice of evening attire to wow wherever you are invited.

They’ve brought a little bit of London style to Olney – they do smart dress so that you can dress smart. A selection from the range is also available to hire.

Danish clothing brand Noa Noa designs for ladies, little girls and babies, representing slow fashion at its best, combining Nordic simplicity with bohemian inspiration and vintage prints.

Noa Noa uses natural organic fabrics to create quality, long lasting garments that will light up your wardrobe.

Valeria C Boutique offers affordable, casual ladies clothing – mainly made in Italy – with complimentary gift wrapping for all gifts and jewellery. Bath and body products and greeting cards also have their place, and those behind the store describe it as ‘an emporium of loveliness.’ How nice does that sound?

Whether you are seeking minimal classics or edgy fashion pieces, the beautiful brands at Anorak – including Mads Norgaard, CC Heart, Roka London and Lulu Copenhagen – will have something that is you, and they have the knowledge to help you shop smart.

A stop off at Teapots of Olney will invigorate weary shoppers, with its traditional tea rooms dressed in a vintage style, and a menu including good old fashioned, homemade food – from soup to toasties and jacket potatoes.

Or perhaps you’d rather treat yourself to a cup of loose leaf tea and a delicious sweet treat from their wide selection of cakes.

When it comes to pancakes, can you get a better place to dine on one (or several!) than in the home of the pancake race?

Home for the Olney Pancake Parlour is every bit as special as the plated delights they serve – situated in a Grade II listed building dating back to 1651.

If you are looking for a place to enjoy a little festive treat with your nearest and dearest, Olney Kitchen is the perfect stop-off, with stone baked pizzas, mouth-watering burgers and classic pasta offerings ready to tempt you away from another mince pie!

Olney Kitchen caters for all, with vegan and gluten free dishes also on the menu. For a truly tasty way to celebrate the season of goodwill, let Olney Kitchen cook up a storm! The menu brims with tempting sandwiches, soups and salads, and those pancakes are flippin’ fab. Are you sweet, or savoury?

BOO Jewellery presents ‘a world of jewellery less ordinary,’ with statement pieces and textured jewellery available in silver, gold and platinum. Whether you are looking for a fabulous fashion accessory or want to surprise them with that engagement proposal this yuletide, BOO can help you find the perfect piece.

BOO also stocks jewellery from a small selection of designers who share the same values, ethics and design aspirations as BOO owner and creative, Louise.

KCL Skin & Beauty deliver professional beauty, skin and laser hair removal treatments – treat a loved one, or treat yourself from their wide-range of feel good; peels, facials, nail and beauty and cryotherapy are among the offerings at the store. Feel good with every visit.

In 2023, Leo Antiques & Collectables is celebrating 20 years of trading in Olney, and it is a dream for those seeking period items; from paintings in the 18th century to costume and antique jewellery, clocks and teddies, furniture and bric-a-brac, and much more!

There is also a vintage room with furniture from the 1960s to the 1980s. What will you find?

Whether you want to add fabulous floral creations to your abode, or treat another, KyeLee Flowers can deliver something unique and amazing. The brand says it wants to ‘create floral designs that leave you speechless.’ Pay them a visit and you’ll be ‘blooming’ amazed too!

With plentiful free parking, including on Market Place, festive shopping can be a delight, not a chore with a visit to Olney – the perfect place to get Christmas all wrapped up.