Wantage

The Vale of White Horse district contains a number of small village and places of interest including the small market town of Faringdon. The town is particularly proud of one ex-resident, King Alfred the Great (849-899) who was born in the town (although it was the village of Wanating at that time). Alfred probably had little memory of the town as he was sent to Rome at the age of 4.

By road

The main road connection to the town is the A417 running eastwards from the town to the A34 Winchester to Salford main road (7 miles) and westwards to theA420 Oxford to Swindon main road (10 miles).

By train

The nearest station to the town is in Didcot.

By bus

Local area bus map published by Oxfordshire Council.

• Stagecoach services 31 & 34 Wantage to Oxford via Abingdon.
• Thames Travel service 32 runs Grove-Wantage-Didcot-Abingdon. Service 36 & X36 run Wantage-Grove-Didcot-Wallingford.
• Other operators running more limited services

By bicycle

National cycle Route 544runs between the town and Didcot where it connects to National Cycle Route 5 Reading to Holyhead.

The town is small enough to get around on foot.

• Whitehorse Hill

  address: Uffington
  The site of an Iron Age hill fort and Uffington White Horse. The site sits on the ridgeway long distance footpath, which follows the line of a chalk ridge which separates the Berkshire Downs to the south and the vale of the white horse to the north. The horse has been cut into the chalk downs can be seen from miles around. It has been "cleaned" by local communities about every 20 years continuously since it was first made about 2000 to 3000 years ago. The hill fort consists of a large circular bank and ditch 1-1.6km in circumference, with grass all over and inside. There are great views from the site, which is fantastic for pic-nics on a sunny day. Also nearby is the Dragon's Hill which appears to be man made and could somehow be associated to the site. Access is easiest by car - it has two car parks (one of which is nearer the horse and recommended only for visitors requiring easier access) The lower car park includes some signage explaining the Whitehorse, and ridgeway. There are picnic tables near by. One could also easily take in the White Horse and Hill Fort, on a walk along the ridgeway.

• Vale and Downland Museum

  phone: +44 1235 771447
  address: 19 Church St, Wantage OX12 8BL
  Free 2-hr parking is available in the Civic Hall Car Park, just off Church St.

• The Funky Teapot

  phone: +44 1235 769777
  address: 21b Grove St, Wantage OX12 7AB
  Targeted at children.

• Farmer Gow's (Childrens') Activity Farm

  phone: +44 1793 780555
  address: Fernham Rd, Longcot, nr Faringdon, SN7 7PR

• Wantage Leisure Centre

  phone: +44 1235 766201
  address: Portway Wantage OX12 9BY

• Asti Equestrian

  phone: +44 1367 710288
  address: Millaway Farm, Goosey, Nr Faringdon SN7 8PA

• Waitrose

  phone: +44 1235 772313
  address: 17 Wallingford St Wantage OX12 8BD

• Sainsbury's

  phone: +44 1235 770601
  address: Limborough Rd, Wantage OX12 9AJ

• The Greyhound Inn

  phone: +44 1235 771969
  address: Main St, Letcombe Regis OX12 9JL

• The Teapot Tearoom and Gardens

  phone: +44 1367 821022
  address: Britchcombe Farm, Uffington, Faringdon SN7 7QJ
  Great cream tea (scones, clotted cream and jam). Also campsite across the road.

• Sylheti Spice

  phone: +44 1235 764164
  address: 29 Market Place, Wantage OX12 8AJ

• Yummy Thai

  address: 8 Newbury St, Wantage OX12 8BS

• The King Alfred's Head

  phone: +44 1235 771595
  address: 31 Market Place, Wantage, OX12 8AH

• The Fox and Hounds

  address: High Street, Uffington
  Pub in Uffington with an old bar, good food, and a beer garden with views of White Horse Hill.

• The Lamb Inn

  phone: +44 1235 766768
  address: 59 Mill St, Wantage OX12 9AB

• The Panini Shop

  phone: +44 7580 723826 (mobile)
  address: 36 Market Plac,e Wantage OX12 8AH

• The Bay Tree Cafe

  phone: +44 1235 766969
  address: 9 Newbury St, Wantage OX12 8BU

• The Royal Oak

  phone: +44 1235 763129
  address: Newbury St, Wantage OX12 8DF

• The Bear Hotel

  phone: +44 1235 766366
  address: 14 Market Place, Wantage OX12 8AB

• Horse & Jockey

  phone: +44 1367 710302
  address: 25 Faringdon Road, Stanford In The Vale SN7 8NN
  Restaurant/pub with a few good quality rooms in adjoining building. Excellent breakfast.

• Manor Farm

  phone: +44 1235 763188
  address: West Challow OX12 9TJ

• Quince Cottage

  phone: +44 1235 763652
  address: Letcombe Regis OX12 9JP

• Post Office

  address: 18 Wallingford St, Wantage OX12 8AX

• Faringdon
• Abingdon
• Didcot
• Swindon
• Hungerford
• Newbury and Thatcham