The Olney Pancake Parlour Story

The grade II listed building, built in 1651, has been home to a Bakers, Chinese Restaurant, Florist and most recently the café 'Beans' until the Donaldson family took over in May 2016.

In May 2023 the Donaldsons sold the pancake parlour and three new owners now run the show, keeping the full Pancake Parlour tradition. The Olney Pancake Parlour remains a family affair, run by brother Jamie & Marc and his partner Tom.

On Shrove Tuesday every year the ladies of Olney compete in the world-famous Pancake Race, a tradition dating back to 1445, thought to have begun during the Wars of the Roses. Olney now competes each year with Liberal, Kansas to see which town achieves the quickest time. The Pancake Parlour sits directly opposite the Cowper & Newton Museum, home of William Cowper, who collaborated with John Newton on the Olney Hymns, including 'Amazing Grace'.