Charlbury

Set in the Evenlode Valley in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, the market town of Charlbury grew from a small clearing in the Wychwood Forest to a prosperous market town, due largely to its reputation as a glove making centre during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Surrounded by the Wychwood Forest and encircled by the Oxfordshire Way, this Quaker town is full of fascination and wonder, combining rural charm with bustling town life. The railway station, serving the London to Worcester mainline, and a regular bus service to Oxford make Charlbury a popular and accessible location for visitors wanting a deliciously satisfying taste of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

There are a number of places for food and drink in Charlbury, a small museum, and a number of specialist independent shops.  In Sheep Street you can find the Charlbury Deli and Cafe, owned and run by the local community.

There is a busy calendar of events in Charlbury including an annual Street Fair and Beer Festival.

Cornbury Park, on the edge of the town, was originally one of the royal hunting lodges for the Wychwood Forest. The present house, mainly 16th and 17th century, is not open to the public but hosts a number of public events including the Wilderness Festival.

A number of downloads are available:
Charlbury Visitor Guide (pdf 884k)
A public transport leaflet (pdf 214k) showing local bus services and giving the phone numbers of local taxis
Charlbury Circular Walk 1 (pdf 166kk)
Charlbury Circular Walk 2 (pdf 190k)
Chipping Norton-Witney (pdf 159k), a 30 mile circular bike ride
Charlbury and the Secret Forest (pdf 1.04Mb), a 17 mile horse or mountain bike ride that circles the remains of the ancient Wychwood Forest
Cotswold Line Explorer - Charlbury (pdf 146k), a 16 mile linear bike ride to Kingham railway station

Useful links:
Charlbury website