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About Wallingford
From its setting on the banks of the River Thames, Wallingford is a market town ideal for spending a day exploring its mix old and new or for spending several days on a short break to explore the surrounding countryside. You might arrive on foot, by car, bus, boat, cycle or heritage train but you will always find the 'Wallingford Welcome' to greet you.
The Market Place with its 17th century Town Hall still hosts many markets, including the Charter Market every Friday – a tradition since the granting of the Town Charter in 1155 - and the weekly Local Producers Market every Saturday morning. Independent traders offer a colourful variety of products and antique shops give a browsing flavour of past times.
King Alfred's Saxon earthen fortifications still surround the town on three sides – the largest and best surviving example of their kind – and the huge mounds of the great Royal castle, demolished by Oliver Cromwell but once dominating the middle Thames Valley, are a reminder of the many Queens, Princes and even Kings who lived and visited Wallingford. William the Conqueror crossed the river here with his army in 1066 and ordered the building of the castle, Queen Matilda and King Stephen fought for control of the kingdom in the 12th century and it was here in 1646, that the Royalists made almost their last stand in the Civil War.
The modern ‘Queen of Crime', Dame Agatha Christie, lived on the outskirts of the town for forty years and is buried in the neighbouring village of Cholsey. Many of her renowned books were written here in the peace of her home. There are more grisly links with crime through Midsomer Murders, the TV series of worldwide renown: Wallingford was the original ‘Causton', home of DCI Barnaby.
Claims to Fame:
Best example of surviving Saxon Fortified town in England
Royal Saxon and Medieval stronghold with a very rich history from King Alfred in the 9th century to the Civil War in the 17th century
Home of Judge Blackstone in the 18th century whose Commentaries on the Laws of England influenced the Constitution and Legal System of the newly founded United States of America
Home of Agatha Christie, world famous crime writer
Location as ‘Causton' in Midsomer Murders TV series
Wallingford Parish Church Choir voted Britain's favourite choir by listeners of Classic FM in 2011
Five things to do in Wallingford:
- Investigate the town's colourful history at Wallingford Museum, full of unexpected gems
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Visit the Town Information Centre under the Town Hall to pick up leaflets on walks in the town or just outside the town, or borrow an audio version of the self-guided historical tour to discover the hidden secrets of the town's narrow back-streets.
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Check the latest entertainment at the Corn Exchange theatre/cinema (featured in Midsomer Murders)
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Enjoy some retail therapy in the town's wide variety of independent shops and keep up your strength in one of the numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and hostelries - there's something to suit all tastes and pockets
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For rest and relaxation, visit the Riverside Park swimming pool or walk in the tranquil Castle Gardens among the ancient ruins, watching the flight of the Red Kites overhead, or simply stroll down a quiet stretch of the Thames Path, observing the boats, birds and wildlife
From its setting on the banks of the River Thames, Wallingford is a market town ideal for spending a day exploring its mix old and new or for spending several days on a short break to explore the surrounding countryside. You might arrive on foot, by car, bus, boat, cycle or heritage train but you will always find the 'Wallingford Welcome' to greet you.
The Market Place with its 17th century Town Hall still hosts many markets, including the Charter Market every Friday – a tradition since the granting of the Town Charter in 1155 - and the weekly Local Producers Market every Saturday morning. Independent traders offer a colourful variety of products and antique shops give a browsing flavour of past times.
King Alfred's Saxon earthen fortifications still surround the town on three sides – the largest and best surviving example of their kind – and the huge mounds of the great Royal castle, demolished by Oliver Cromwell but once dominating the middle Thames Valley, are a reminder of the many Queens, Princes and even Kings who lived and visited Wallingford. William the Conqueror crossed the river here with his army in 1066 and ordered the building of the castle, Queen Matilda and King Stephen fought for control of the kingdom in the 12th century and it was here in 1646, that the Royalists made almost their last stand in the Civil War.
The modern ‘Queen of Crime', Dame Agatha Christie, lived on the outskirts of the town for forty years and is buried in the neighbouring village of Cholsey. Many of her renowned books were written here in the peace of her home. There are more grisly links with crime through Midsomer Murders, the TV series of worldwide renown: Wallingford was the original ‘Causton', home of DCI Barnaby.
Royal Saxon and Medieval stronghold with a very rich history from King Alfred in the 9th century to the Civil War in the 17th century
Home of Judge Blackstone in the 18th century whose Commentaries on the Laws of England influenced the Constitution and Legal System of the newly founded United States of America
Home of Agatha Christie, world famous crime writer
Location as ‘Causton' in Midsomer Murders TV series
Wallingford Parish Church Choir voted Britain's favourite choir by listeners of Classic FM in 2011
Three things to do near Wallingford:
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Dorchester Abbey: Saxon bishopric of St Birinus, 12th century abbey.
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Wittenham Clumps: Enjoy panoramic views over the Oxfordshire countryside and explore the earthworks of the ancient hill fort on Castle Hill.
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Nuffield Place: 1930's home of William Morris, Lord Nuffield. One of the UK's greatest philanthropists (National Trust).
What’s on in Wallingford:
Browse the Wallingford events on the Southern Oxfordshire What's On Events Calendar or on the Wallingford community website.
Market Place
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 0EG
Tel: 01491 826972
wallingfordtic@btconnect.com
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