Welcome to Wantage
Wantage in Oxfordshire is a lovely small market town in the Vale of White Horse, and has a good range of shops and services, including plenty of places to eat and drink. Links with the past are very strong too and Wantage is a great place to visit to enjoy this historic part of England.
Whether you are a visitor, or a resident, we hope this website will help you get the most out of our lovely town. If you'd like to get in touch - please click here.
Shopping in Wantage
A shopping trip to Wantage is fun! The shops are close together, you can park outside of Sainsbury's or by the Civic Hall and the square itself is full of delightful, independent shops, pubs and cafes. For example, try visiting The India Shop, Top Hatters Gift Boutique, Geoffrey Bailey Shoes or Jason's Flowers. Need a break? Pop into the King Alfred's Head, Petit Pain or just round the corner, there's Madison's Tea Rooms and The Vale and Downland Museum cafe.
Market Square
Wantage was shaped by its importance as a market town and remains at the heart of Wantage even today. There are numerous inviting pubs and places to eat, plenty of interesting shops, annual fairs, markets on Saturday and Wednesday, Farmer's Markets, French Markets and features tghe amazing Dickensian Evening held every December.
food and drink
Wantage has a range of pubs, restaurants and take-aways - catering for all tastes! Not just in the square, but all around Wantage, Grove and nearby villages.
King Alfred the Great
Wantage is thought to be the birthplace of King Alfred the Great, and that a royal residence existed here 849AD. The Doomsday Book records Wantage being owned by William the Conquerer, and later through the reigns of Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. The statue of King Alfred in the square was presented to the town in 1877 and the face looks an awful lot like Lord Wantage (he commissioned the statue and was the model!).
The Arts
Wantage has a fine reputation for the arts - music, dances and poetry - and this is celebrated each year with an Arts Festival during the Summer. John Betjeman lived in The Mead, Wantage (by Letcombe Brook) for many years and wrote poetry about Wantage. Thomas Hardy's "Jude the Obscure" was set in nearby Letcombe Bassett where "Arabella’s Cottage" can still be seen. In the novel Alfredston is Wantage. There are numerous thriving music and dance groups, including the Icknield Way Morris Men and The Vale Islanders.
steeped in History
Where do we start? Birthplace of King Alfred, 13th century Parish Church, home to the first steam tram in Britain, nearby ancient White Horse Hill, Ridgeway Path (National Trail), Uffington Castle and Wayland's Smithy. The town itself is full of beautiful historic buildings and is a delight to visit. The Vale and Downland Museum is the ideal starting point from which to explore the town and surrounding area. More Wantage history here.
Walking, cycling and horse riding
Wantage is a perfect centre from which to explore the beautiful countryside of the Berkshire Downs - particularly The Ridgeway. You can stay overnight in Wantage or one of the villages, or at The Court Hill Centre, located on the Ridgeway itself. There are historic walks around the town too - pop into The Vale and Downland Museum to ask.
Villages
Wantage is surrounded by beautiful rural Oxfordshire villages - each has its own character, being delightful to visit. Why not go for stroll and and visit one of the numerous village pubs and restaurants. |
