Places to Visit

  • Wallingford Museum's Judy Dewey has written two self-guided walks around Historic Wallingford. They have both been published by The Wallingford Partnership in the form of (1) a brief leaflet with a map which you can download for free as a PDF and (2) as a series of audio files that you can also download for free to your personal MP3 player or equivalent audio device. The full script of the audio tour is also available to download. Follow this link to a webpage with details of all versions: http://www.wallingfordtown.com/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=6996audio
  • The Cholsey & Wallingford Railway operates heritage diesel and occasionally steam trains on the Wallingford 'Bunk' line at certain weekends and Bank Holidays. For details of their timetable and special attractions, go to http://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/
  • Not far from Wallingford is the internationally famous Pendon Museum where they aim to recapture, in detailed and colourful miniature, scenes showing the beauty of the English countryside as it used to be in the years around 1930. You can watch a fascinating collection of model trains go by on the Dartmoor Scene, or spend hours taking in the detail of the model village in the Vale Scene. For details and some stunning photos, visit their website at http://www.pendonmuseum.com/index.jsp
  • Another nearby attraction is the Little Wittenham Nature Reserve, owned by the  Earth Trust. The Trust promotes conservation through exemplary land management, education and land science and owns the Wittenham Clumps and other lovely woodland walks. For their self-guided walks see:-    http://www.earthtrust.org.uk/Explore/EarthTrustWalks/LittleWittenhamWalks.aspx    The Earth Trust also has special events throughout the year, which details can be found at can be found at:-  http://www.earthtrust.org.uk/Explore/WhatsOn.aspx
  • Completing the quintet of historical attractions within a few miles of Wallingford is the Dorchester Abbey Museum. The Museum has displays in the Abbey, notably the newly opened Cloister Gallery, and in the Old School in the adjoining Abbey Guest House. The Cloister Gallery display, described as the best of its kind in the country, tells the story of the Abbey through an interpreted collection of carved and moulded medieval stonework. The displays and artefacts in the Abbey Guest House pick out special features of the village of Dorchester-on-Thames and its environs, both past and present. The Abbey itself is also well worth a visit. Follow this link for further details: http://www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk/museum.htm
  • The official tourism site for South Oxfordshire is Visit South Oxfordshire. It explains how to get here, where to stay and what's on offer once you are here, from what's on and what to see and do, to great places to visit and where to eat and drink. The website is at  http://www.southernoxfordshire.com/
  • Discover the amazing opportunities on your doorstep with the Thames Valley Museums website!  With over 70 Museums in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire there is an amazing concentration of history, heritage and culture for you to enjoy. See http://thamesvalleymuseums.org/
  • There's a wealth of information about more than 3,000 Museums, Galleries and Heritage sites in the UK at Culture 24 on http://www.culture24.org.uk/home
  • Another useful website for planning visits locally and further afield is Britain's What's On Events Guide at http://www.wherecanwego.com

Other Useful Links

  • Wallingford Town Council's website has information about the historic town of Wallingford and its facilities, including places to visit in and around the town, clubs, organisations and societies together with reports of what the town council is doing - visit  http://www.wallingfordtown.co.uk.  To see the self-guided 'Walk Around Wallingford's History' click here; other walks around Wallingford click here; and for walks of the surrounding area click here
  • The Oxfordshire Family History Society was founded in 1976 to encourage and promote the study of Family History. The Society caters for those with Oxfordshire or North Berkshire ancestry as well as those who live locally but with ancestors from elsewhere. Members and visitors are welcome at all meetings which are usually held at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, Oxford, on the fourth Monday in the month - visit http://www.ofhs.org.uk 
  • For all family history researchers living in Berkshire and for those researching Berkshire ancestors, see Berkshire Family History Society at - http://www.berksfhs.org.uk
  • Oxfordshire Buildings Record (OBR) aims to advance education and promote research on the buildings of Oxfordshire by encouraging the recording of buildings and to create and manage a publicly accessible repository of records relating to such buildings. Visit  www.obr.org.uk 
    OBR also publish a newsletter four times a year - The Oxon Recorder.
  • The Henley-on-Thames Archaeological & Historical Group, formed in 1976, provides a forum for archaeologists, historians and others with similar local interests. The Group has been active in archaeological excavations and in studying the history of Henley, its surrounding districts and their inhabitants. More details on their website at:- http://www.henley-on-thamesarchaeologicalandhistoricalgroup.org.uk/index.php
  • South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group (SOAG) brings together individuals who are interested in archaeology, to inform, encourage research, stimulate further interest and enthusiasm, and generally act as a forum for archaeology in South Oxfordshire. More details on their website at http://www.soagarch.org.uk/index.html
  • The Bensington Society exists to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of the features of historic interest within Benson Parish, and to promote, protect and improve the visual and physical environment. The Society has regular meetings with speakers and organises visits. See http://www.bensington-society.com/
  • For news, resources,information, courses and nearly 1,000 local history links plus a calendar of events and local history books for sale online, go to http://www.local-history.co.uk/
  • Thames Travel is the local bus operator: for timetables click on http://www.thames-travel.co.uk/
  • For details of some local places to stay follow this link:-    http://www.southernoxfordshire.com/accommodation.php


WALLINGFORD MUSEUM