Wallingford

What is Wallingford Like?

If Wallingford seems familiar to you, perhaps you’ve watched Midsomer Murders; the famous TV series was filmed here! 

Agatha Christie called Wallingford home for over 40 years, so the town is steeped in Christie culture. The Wallingford Museum has a permanent Agatha Christie exhibition, and the novelist was buried in the nearby Churchyard of St Mary’s in Cholsey. And, of course, you’ll likely spot many a filming location as you wander the streets of Wallingford. 

There’s plenty of heritage beyond Christie, and Wallingford is also blessed with an abundance of green spaces, with the Castle Gardens, Bull Croft, and Kinecroft offering beautiful spaces to wander, play, and relax. 

Highlights of Wallingford include: 

• The Castle Gardens, Bull Croft, and Kinecroft are just a few of the beautiful green spaces in Wallingford.  
• The Grade II listed Corn Exchange now serves as a state-of-the-art 175-seat theatre and cinema. 
• Car lovers will adore the The Aston Martin Heritage Trust, and train lovers will appreciate the  Cholsey & Wallingford railway, both love letters to the heritage of travel. 
• Shoppers will love the four markets to be found in Wallingford! 

Bars, Restaurants and Nightlife 

Wallingford offers an unrivalled range of places to eat, drink, or simply enjoy an evening’s entertainment. 

For a truly superb meal, head to Le Clos on St Mary’s Street. This wine bar serves the highest quality food, from Parma ham from Italy to duck rillettes from France, tarte flambée to black tiger prawns. And it’s all accompanied by a staggeringly diverse wine list, incorporating the best from France, Spain, Italy, and even further afield. A trip to Le Clos is a real treat for both visitors and locals! 

When you’re in the mood for Italian, you can’t go wrong with Avanti. It’s a restaurant popular with residents for the welcoming service and the accommodating owner, not to mention the incredible food. The menu is filled with authentic pastas, pizzas, and classic Italian dishes, served with a smile in a friendly atmosphere. You’ll definitely want to return again and again. 

Home Sweet Home calls itself a real country pub. With its open fires, exposed stone walls, and beautiful wooden floors, you can see why. This cosy pub is perfect for a drink with friends or family; on top of the huge variety of beers, wines, and spirits, the pub also sources cask ales from a family-owned brewery. If you’re hungry, the menu is filled with amazing dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients too. 

The Chequers Inn is another beautiful British pub, with open fires and a welcoming staff making your visit pleasant from start to finish. The owners used to work for Carluccio’s, so it’s no surprise that food plays a big role at the Chequers. This is not your average pub food, instead featuring venison, double-baked gruyere souffle, and pheasant and pear sausages. Unsurprisingly, there’s a stellar wine list too, as well as a range of excellent beers and spirits too. You’ll remember a night at the Chequers Inn! 

You’re bound to find something your tastes at the old Corn Exchange, a Grade II listed building since converted into a 175-seat theatre and cinema. State-of-the-art technology brings the latest films to your seat, and the stage itself hosts drama, ballet, comedy, and even opera! Unsurprisingly, there’s an Agatha Christie connection too: Christie served as president of the Sinodun Players who operate the theatre, and the building itself doubles as the Causton Playhouse in Midsomer Murders! 

Leisure Centres and Outdoor Activities 

When you want to get your heart rate up, there are plenty of options in Wallingford. 

Wallingford Sports Park is a well-equipped facility offering three football pitches, five rugby pitches, five tennis courts, an archery range. And that’s just the outdoors! Inside you’ll find three squash courts, two halls that can be hired out for conferences, weddings, or parties, and even two dart boards. The excellent facilities have attracted eight local sports clubs, from rugby to tennis, squash to archery. All welcome members of all abilities, making the Sports Park your go-to for getting active. 

Wallingford School’s leisure centre naturally prioritises the needs of the pupils during school hours, but is available to hire at other times. And it’s a hive of activity, with a number of clubs that you can join. Whether badminton is your game, karate your passion, or even if you want to try some belly dancing, taking a look at the leisure centre’s schedule is an excellent way of finding a club that will get you moving! 

133 acres of stunning parkland resting at the side of the Thames is the setting for the Springs Resort & Golf Club. The course you’ll see today was designed by former Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett and course architect Tim Lobb, and offers 18 holes that will test your skills against a backdrop of gently rolling hills bordered with lush trees and beautiful bodies of water. Once you’ve worked up your appetite on the green, you can dine on the excellent food at the clubhouse, or even head to the swing studios to practice your game for the next round. 

History of Wallingford

The ruins of Wallingford Castle provide an insight into the area’s regal past. This stronghold shaped the town’s history for over 600 years, when royal opulence gave way to civil unrest, leading to its eventual demise during the Black Death. Although little remains of the castle, the surrounding gardens are still enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.

Following the castle’s demolition, Wallingford became better known for its market town character. Thanks to its proximity to the Thames, the area prospered during the Middle Ages as a trading destination. Several weekly markets keep that heritage alive today, allowing residents to buy everything from hand-crafted goods to locally sourced produce.