Background

The Woolgate Centre, Witney

Witney’s friendly open-air shopping hub, blending high-street brands, local services and Cotswold charm in the heart of town.

4.2

The Woolgate Centre is Witney’s friendly, open-air shopping hub in the heart of this historic Oxfordshire market town. Anchored by Waitrose, Next and H&M, it combines high-street favourites with local services, cafés and a relaxed Cotswold atmosphere. With free short-stay parking, step-free access and a tree-lined pedestrian layout, it’s a practical and pleasant place to shop, grab coffee or run errands while exploring Witney’s independent High Street and Market Square just steps away.

A brief summary to The Woolgate Centre

  • Market Square, Witney, OX28 6AP, GB
  • +441993778370
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 7:30 am-8 pm
  • Tuesday 7:30 am-8 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am-8 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am-8 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 7:30 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 10:30 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on a weekday morning or early afternoon to avoid the busiest shopping times, especially around lunchtime and late afternoon when the centre and car parks are most crowded.
  • Combine your trip with a stroll along Witney’s High Street and Market Square to discover independent shops, cafés and the historic Corn Exchange just steps from The Woolgate Centre.
  • Check individual store opening times, as some smaller shops and services may close earlier than the centre’s overall hours, particularly on Sundays and late evenings.
widget icon

Getting There

  • By car

    From Oxford, follow the A40 west for about 12 miles into Witney; The Woolgate Centre is clearly signposted in the town centre. Free short-stay parking is available in several nearby multi-storey and surface car parks, with Blue Badge bays close to the centre.

  • By bus

    Regular S1 and S2 buses run from Oxford city centre and Oxford railway station to Witney town centre, stopping within a few minutes’ walk of The Woolgate Centre; journey time is around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

  • On foot

    From Witney railway station, it’s a 15–20 minute walk along level, well-signposted routes into the town centre; from the High Street or Market Square, The Woolgate Centre is just a few minutes’ walk away.

The Woolgate Centre location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

Unlock the Best of The Woolgate Centre

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about The Woolgate Centre

A Cotswold Market-Town Heart

Nestled in the centre of Witney, The Woolgate Centre forms the modern retail core of this traditional Oxfordshire market town. Built in the late 1980s, it was designed to serve the town’s growing population while preserving Witney’s character as a working Cotswold market town. The centre links the historic Market Square with the wider High Street, creating a convenient, pedestrian-friendly zone where locals and visitors alike can shop, meet and run everyday errands. Its open-air layout, with wide walkways and Cotswold-style stonework, feels more like a village square than a conventional mall, blending practicality with a distinctly English small-town charm.

Shopping and Daily Essentials

Inside The Woolgate Centre, a mix of national chains and essential services makes it a one-stop destination for daily needs. Anchor stores include Waitrose for groceries, Next for clothing and homewares, and H&M for fashion, alongside Superdrug for health and beauty, Specsavers for eyewear and H. Samuel for jewellery. Practical services such as WHSmith with Post Office, Halifax for banking, Timpson for shoe repairs and keys, and Vision Express for opticians are all within easy reach. For tech and communications, Vodafone and O2 offer mobile phones and accessories, while specialty shops like Holland & Barrett, Waterstones, and various gift and card stores cater to more specific tastes.

Cafés, Food and Relaxation

The centre is well equipped for refreshment, with several popular cafés and food outlets. Costa Coffee and Caffè Nero provide reliable coffee, pastries and light meals, ideal for a quick break or a relaxed catch-up. For fast, casual dining, Subway offers sandwiches and salads, while Greggs serves up bakery favourites and breakfast options. These spots are popular with shoppers, workers and families, and their outdoor seating areas add to the centre’s relaxed, sociable atmosphere. The presence of a supermarket and multiple cafés also makes The Woolgate a convenient base for a longer visit to Witney, whether for a full day of shopping or as a stopover while exploring the wider Cotswolds.

Practicalities and Local Life

The Woolgate Centre is designed for ease of access and convenience. It features step-free, level access throughout, making it suitable for pushchairs, mobility aids and older visitors. Public toilets and family facilities are available nearby, and the surrounding car parks offer generous free parking for several hours, with designated Blue Badge bays. Opening hours are generous on weekdays and Saturdays, with a shorter Sunday schedule that aligns with typical town-centre trading. Because it sits at the junction of the Market Square and the High Street, it’s easy to combine a visit here with browsing Witney’s independent boutiques, cafés, the historic Corn Exchange and the weekly charter market, creating a full day out in a compact, walkable area.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near The Woolgate Centre

Popular Hotels near The Woolgate Centre

Select Currency