Olney

Olney is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, England. At the 2011 Census, it had a population of around 6,500 people. It lies on the River Great Ouse, very close to the borders of Buckinghamshire with Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and equidistant from Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes. It is accessed by the M1 at Junction 14 ), with the closest passenger rail service at Wolverton distant), and Milton Keynes Central and Bedford railway stations distant). It is a popular tourist destination, perhaps best known for the Olney Pancake Race[1] and for the Olney Hymns by William Cowper and John Newton.

First mentioned as Ollanege in 932, the town has a history as a lace-making centre. According to the Domesday Book the place, later called Olnei, was held in 1086 AD by Geoffrey de Montbray, Bishop of Coutances, as its overlord.

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