Wallingford Walk

SUNDAY, 11 MAY 2014

Branch walk around WALLINGFORD (Berks., now Oxon.) OX10 0EG

 Led by Nigel Saul (n.saul@rhul.ac.uk)

 An Anglo-Saxon borough on the Thames, rich in history and full of character 

Highlights on the walk will include:

·         Impressive Alfredian ramparts

·         Earthworks and mound of Norman castle                                                    

·         Grave of Sir William Blackstone in St Peter’s church

·         Seventeenth-century town hall

·         Medieval and Georgian streets

·         Attractive riverside setting with towpath

The walk will last between about an-hour-and-a-half and two hours, taking in the main streets of the town and the grounds and motte of the ancient castle, from which magnificent views are obtained over the town centre and surrounding country.  There is a footpath to the top of the motte, but it is steep, and in wet weather may be slippery.  For those who don’t want to climb to the top, there are seats in the park on which to rest until the rest of the party comes down.

Meet in Goldsmith’s Lane long-stay car park at 11 am.  For lunch afterwards, there are plenty of cafes and pubs in the town.

Not included in the walk:

·         Wallingford Museum, in a fine sixteenth-century house in High St

·         A must for devotees of crime fiction: the grave of Agatha Christie in Cholsey churchyard, two miles south of the town