Nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire, Charlbury is a historic and charming small market town with huge character and a great community atmosphere. The River Evenlode passes through this delightful town and offers an excellent opportunity for calm and serene walks in nature outside the hustle and bustle of large towns and cities in Oxfordshire.
Charlbury is accessible via train through Charlbury station and is operated by Great Western Railway. Charlbury station also provides wheelchairs and ramps for wheelchair users. KIT Mobility Taxis offers wheelchair friendly services across Oxfordshire, including Charlbury, which may be useful as pathways can become quite narrow between the station and town centre (they require 2 hours’ notice for local bookings across Oxfordshire). The Charlbury town centre is less than a 10-minute walk from the station, allowing access to the delightful town centre and all its community spirit and local amenities.
The sense of community is immediately apparent upon arrival into Charlbury town centre, with numerous locally owned businesses forming a feeling of pride and cooperative character. Whilst Charlbury contains mainstream amenities such as a local co-op, here are some of our favourite independent and local businesses that are sure to make your time in Charlbury worthwhile:
The Charlbury Deli and Café – a cosy community hub for coffee, pastries, cakes, and other delightful local produce. Within the deli and café there are billboards with numerous community events and classes for Charlbury residents, and an exhibition which you can explore further inside. As one of the staples of Charlbury, it is worth a visit.
Chloe’s Restaurant – a sustainable independent local restaurant offering seasonal and local produce that is cooked to perfection into delicious meals.
The Bull – a historic pub restaurant (and a hotel!) situated on Sheep Street since the 1500s; the Bull has been the foundation of Charlbury for centuries. If you fancy checking out the historical aspect of Charlbury, the Bull is worth a visit.
As mentioned, Charlbury hosts the fantastic River Evenlode, which provides serene walks alongside the riverbank and excellent photo opportunities! The Charlbury walking trail provides an exceptional map to discover the beauty of the town in a leisurely circular walk.
Charlbury also hosts a local museum, which opens seasonally and will reopen in Easter 2024, providing an in-depth experience of the local history of Charlbury, from the granting of a market charter in 1256 to the growth of the town's farming and gloving industries. The museum is run entirely by courteous volunteers and offers an immersive community-led experience that allows an appreciation of Charlbury’s history, culture, and people.
Charlbury also hosts an impressive number of churches, including the Charlbury Baptist Church, Charlbury Methodist Church, and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Furthermore, the Charlbury parish church of St Mary's is a place for the entire community, and all are welcome to attend services and events. Parts of the church date back to the 12th century, making St Mary’s a perfect place to tick off attending a historical local parish church off your bucket list!
Fun Fact: According to Visit Charlbury, approximately 250,000 passenger journeys are taken every year from Charlbury station, making the station the busiest on the line.
Other things to see and do across the town include:
The Makers' Market
The Old Shed
Rose & Crown
Charlbury Town Football & Sports Club
Charlbury Market
Amarelo Bistro
Check out Visit Chalbury’s website for more information and to find out what’s on when:
For more adventures in Gloucestershire by train, why not try TrainTipper to help plan your adventures?
Written by James Hamilton