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Chelsea Bridge - Viewed From Albert Bridge

Chelsea

in the county of Greater London

Pictures of Wantage

About Wantage

Wantage is a small historic market town in Oxfordshire, famous for being the birthplace of King Alfred the Great, who was born there during the 9th century, though the site of the royal palace in which Alfred was born has never been identified.

There is a statue of Alfred in the town which dates to 1877 when Lord Wantage paid for it to be erected in the market place, where it still stands today overlooking the town. Lord Wantage also donated the Victorian Cross Gallery to the town, with paintings by Louis William Desanges depicting heroic deeds by VC medal awardees, including one of himself.

Wantage is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 with a value of £61. The town was awarded its trading rights by Henry III in 1246 and markets are still held there twice a week, on a Wednesday and a Saturday.

There has been a church in Wantage since at least the 10th century, although the present parish church of Saints Peter and Paul dates from the 13th century. The King Alfred's Grammar School was built in 1849 and incorporates a highly carved Norman doorway from a chantry chapel that stood in the churchyard.

Interesting & Historical Facts about Wantage

In 2014 the market town of Wantage won the award for 'Britain's Best Town Centre' after being nominated for the Government's Great British High Street Award.

Wantage facts | Oxfordshire facts

Recommended towns & villages near Wantage

Village Shop - open for many centuries. East Hendred, Oxfordshire

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Abingdon (98 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Oxfordshire

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Oxford (771 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Oxfordshire

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Oxford's fame is perhaps second only to Windsor, it is an acclaimed seat of learning with a University whose first college was founded in 1249, almost half a century after the first charter granted to the town by Henry II...

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Lechlade (38 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire

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Champs Chapel Museum (3 Pictures)

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View of Charney Bassett water mill taken from the upstream side. Charney Bassett, Oxfordshire

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Abingdon Abbey (16 Pictures)

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Abingdon Abbey was founded in 675 and demolished following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. During the life of the.....

Abingdon Museum (Old Berkshire County Hall), Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Abingdon Museum (6 Pictures)

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Abingdon museum is housed in the centre of this ancient town in the spectacular 17th century County Hall. It includes displays.....

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Vale of White Horse (8 Pictures)

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