Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire is a beautifully preserved collection of Cotswold stone farm buildings set in its own grounds in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

Cogges Manor Farm was once a working farm. It is now a heritage centre with Grade II* Listed 13th-century manor house and 17th-century farm buildings, and over 15 acres of naturally beautiful grounds to explore – walled garden, orchard, islands and moat, and river Windrush walk. It aims to give visitors an insight into farm life, and how the food they eat is husbanded or cultivated.

Cogges Manor Farm has over 1000 years of history – appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first owner of Cogges was Wadard who appears as a Norman knight riding a horse on the Bayeux tapestry. Other previous owners include English Kings, Thomas Pope (the founder of Trinity College Oxford), the Blake family (wealthy wool merchants), and the Mawle family (who owned and lived in the manor until 1968).

In 1974 Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) bought Cogges Manor Farm and converted the house and farmstead into a museum in 1979. It was sympathetically preserved by the OCC in recognition of its beauty, uniqueness and importance to the local community and the many visitors. The Museum closed in 2009 and a newly formed Cogges Heritage Trust secured a lease from the Council and reopened Cogges to visitors in 2011.

Today Cogges is a popular visitor attraction for all the family.

Discover the beautiful Oxfordshire Cotswolds and enjoy a morning or afternoon visiting the historic grounds at Cogges. Stroll through the gardens and discover the trained fruit trees, explore the herb and vegetable garden, go for a River Windrush walk or play a game of croquet on the manor house lawn. Stop for a lunch or cream tea in The Cogges Kitchen – The artisan café is situated in the old milking parlour, or pick up some local beers & ciders, farm eggs and handmade crafts from the Cogges shop.

Children can pick up a pot of vegetables from reception and have fun feeding the animals; explore the natural areas of Cogges and see bats, badger sets and wildlife; and make dens from the loose branches around the islands and moat. There’s also a timber play fort with slides and zip wire, swing basket, climbing frame and wobbly bridge.

Cogges is a popular location for TV and the big screen, with shows from Countryfile to ITV period dramas Downton Abbey or Arthur & George – in Downton Abbey, Cogges was transformed into Yew Tree Farm home to the Drewe family in series 4, 5 & 6. While filming took place on the grounds, some volunteers, sheep and chickens achieved fame when they were picked as extras!

Cogges is closed during the winter except for special events. Visit the Cogges website for opening times and scheduled events.

Cogges provides the perfect backdrop for any party or special event. The stunning 18th-century barns, beautiful Manor House and old milking parlour are full of rustic charm. You and guests of all ages will be welcome to explore the fabulous walled garden and open spaces, providing countless photo opportunities. You can even include the farm animals in your special day. Conveniently located close to Oxford, at the heart of Witney on the edge of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, it is less than a two-hour drive from London.

As well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and historic farmstead, Cogges today is a popular visitor attraction and wedding venue that also hosts many special events, adult learning workshops and school trips, all set against the stunning backdrop of our 13th-century Manor House and Grade II listed 18th-century farm buildings.

The animals
Come and meet the true characters of Cogges – the animals that live on the farm – and talk to our volunteers about how we look after them. ‘Meet the Animals’ sessions are available most weekends and Bank Holidays (subject to availability). The animals help to tell the stories of Cogges through the ages, and give an idea of some of the small scale farming that still takes place in the county and Cotswolds.

Manor House and tours
The Manor House and historic farm buildings are generally open to visitors, including, for the first time in many years, the first floor of the Manor House. Explore each room as you listen to stories of the past or step into Yew Tree Farm of Downton Abbey. Please note: only Assistance Dogs are allowed in the Manor House.

Gardens, grounds and trails
Get some fresh air and explore the 17 acres of grounds and heritage trails that make up the site. The Walled Garden is tended by volunteers, producing vegetables, herbs and fruit, including Espalier apple and quince trees. It once provided the Manor House residents with food, and today, you can try some of the produce in the Cogges Kitchen café or take some home for a small donation.

Cogges Kitchen
Visit for rustic charm, delicious food and drinks and a play area – no farm ticket required. Cogges Kitchen is a beautifully rustic café located in the old milking parlour. Whether you want breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and cake or a good cup of locally roasted coffee, there’s something on the menu for you. The kitchen caters for most dietary requirements – vegan and gluten-free options are available, but do get in touch if you have any questions. They welcome well-behaved dogs on a short lead. You don’t need to buy a ticket to the farm to visit the cafe. Last food orders are half an hour before closing.

Adventure play
Children can have fun climbing the adventure play fort, built where the original house once stood. Have a go on the zip wire and try a range of purpose-built outdoor play equipment.

Cogges is open daily from 9.30am to 4.00pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. Cogges is closed during the winter except for special events. Visit the Cogges website for opening times and scheduled events.

Annual season tickets for 2024
If you are likely to visit more than a couple of times a year, an annual season ticket is great value.
Adult – £28.50
Child (3 to 16 years) – £19.00
Child (under 3 years) – Free
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £87.00
Family+ (2 adults + up to 3 children) £97.00 – transferable between parents & grandparents
Childminder – £47.50 (1 Adult plus any 3 children, weekdays only)

Tickets are non-transferable, except Family+ tickets.

Season ticket cards must be presented on arrival for each visit – replacements are available at a charge of £5.00 per card. ID may be requested to validate your membership at the point of entry at any time.

Buy annual season tickets

Day Tickets 2024
Adult – £9.90/£9.00
Child – £6.60/£6.00 for children aged 3 to 16 years. Free for under 3s.
Family – £32.00/£29.00 for 2 Adults + up to 3 Children aged 3 to 16 years

*Gift Aid / Non Gift Aid

Standard Day Tickets can be upgraded to a Season Ticket on the day of your visit or within one week (be sure to retain your receipt). If you’re unable to visit on the date you have booked, your ticket will remain valid.

Buy day tickets

By car
From the A40, head for the Cogges car park and follow the brown Cogges signs (with a cart symbol) to Cogges Hill Road. Do not drive down Church Lane, as it’s a ’no through’ road with no parking. There is a short walk from the car park – either follow the path over the wooden bridge and across the field or the footpath to the entrance via Church Lane.

Please note: The main address and postcode (Cogges Manor Farm, Church Lane, Witney OX28 3LA) will take you to the disabled car park next to the Cogges entrance in Church Lane. Blue badge holders, please call 01993 772602 for assistance or advice.

By bus
There are good bus services to Witney from all directions – Oxford, Eynsham, Chipping Norton, Cheltenham, Burford and Abingdon.
S1, S2/H2 & S7 bus routes from Oxford and Cheltenham stop at the top of Church Lane, a 3- to 5-minute walk to the entrance. From other Cotswold towns, take a bus to Market Square in the centre of Witney, and a 10-minute walk. Visit www.stagecoachbus.com for more information and timetables.

By train
The closest railway station is Hanborough. You’ll need to catch the 233 bus to the centre of Witney and walk, or get a taxi direct. Charlbury and Shipton-Under-Wychwood are also taxi or bus rides away.

By bike or on foot
Leave your car at home, it’s good for the environment and good for your health. Cogges is no more than a 10-minute walk from Witney town centre (off Witan Way/Farm Mill or Avenue Two/Station Lane), down a footpath/cycle track with lovely nature views of the River Windrush, lake and meadows.

Accessible parking
There is on site Blue Badge parking and drop off from Church Lane in front of the entrance (OX28 3LA). Otherwise, the main car park is off Cogges Hill Road at OX28 3FR. Access to the farm from the main car park is either via a grass path across a bridge and meadow or via the alternative tarmac path around the perimeter.

Toilet facilities and baby changing
Accessible toilets are available in the block in the disabled car park (with accessible ramp), which services the café, and in the toilet block next to the farmyard (no ramp needed). Baby changing facilities are available in all toilets on site.

Cafe and gift shop
The café and gift shop are accessible by wheelchair and push chair. Space is available for buggy parking outside the cafe, and high chairs are available. Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the café.

The Manor House
The ground floor of the Manor House is accessible by wheelchair and standard, single pushchairs/buggies. Wheelchair access to the Manor House is via the porched doorway to the North of the building. Routes and doorways are narrow, so ramps are short and steep and require a narrow wheelchair (max width 610mm/24inches).

Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are permitted in all parts of the site. Please keep them on a short lead at all times. Note that ducks and poultry are free-roaming onsite.