Where Was Amazing Grace Written? Plus a 580-Year-Old Pancake Race! | Amazing Olney Walk!

The town where the world's most famous hymn was born 'Amazing Grace" — and where women have been running a pancake race since 1445. We're walking through Olney, a market town in Buckinghamshire that holds two extraordinary claims to fame. This is where John Newton — a former slave ship captain — wrote Amazing Grace in 1772, first performed at St Peter & St Paul's Church on New Year's Day 1773. And this is where, every Shrove Tuesday, local women race 415 yards from the market place to the church door, frying pan in hand, in the world's oldest pancake race — a tradition that began in 1445. Our walk takes us from the Market Place, through the alleyways and independent shops that line the streets around it, past the Cowper & Newton Museum (home of poet William Cowper, Newton's close friend and collaborator on the Olney Hymns), and by the old Armstrong Lace Factory on the High Street — a reminder that Buckinghamshire was once the heart of English lacemaking, a craft brought here by Huguenot refugees in the 16th century. Along the way we explore the cafes, the shopfronts, the hidden corners of this attractive market town, and share the story of how a housewife's dash to church became a tradition that now sees Olney compete annually against the town of Liberal, Kansas — 4,500 miles away. 📱 CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome to Olney 01:31 - Market Square 02:00 - Rose Court 04:25 - Cowper & Newton Museum - Amazing Grace 07:21 - St Peter & St Paul Church - history of the Pancake Race 09:30 - Olney High Street 14:40 - Houses with history 16:53 - Lace making factory 🚶 ABOUT STILL WALKING Relaxed, narrated walks through towns and everyday places. We wander at an unhurried pace, sharing observations, small details, and the character of each place as it unfolds. Easy to watch, easy to listen to. 📍 LOCATION Olney, Buckinghamshire, England Market town on the River Great Ouse North Buckinghamshire, near Milton Keynes Nearest stations: Milton Keynes Central / Bedford #olney #amazinggrace #pancakerace #buckinghamshire #englishvillage #villagewalk #marketown #walkingtour #pancakeday #shrovetuesday #johnnewton #williamcowper #lacemaking #englishcountryside #countrysidewalk #4kwalk #englandwalk #townwalk #uktravel #slowtv This video is a relaxed, narrated walk through a town, exploring streets, shops, and everyday places on foot. The walk is unhurried, with gentle commentary and natural pacing, designed for easy watching and listening. Perfect for armchair exploring, relaxed viewing, or simply enjoying a calm walk along the way. Subscribe for more town walks with us!