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

Wantage is home to the Community of Saint Mary the Virgin, founded by the vicar of Wantage William John Butler in 1848. It was once one of the largest communities of Anglican nuns in the world.

Wantage facts | Oxfordshire facts