Hailed and celebrated as the birthplace of King Alfred the Great, ruler of the Anglo/Saxon kingdom from 871-899, Wantage is a midsize town near the Thames Valley in Oxfordshire England.
Wantage is the central tourist centre for the area due to its proximity to the Berkshire Downs and the Vale of the White Horse.
A large museum exists in the town that draws a lot of visitors to the area.
The large market square that showcases the famous statue of King Alfred has numerous shops boasting of an eighteenth century feel.
At one time the town was important in the wool trading industry.
The history of Wantage dates back to the Romans with evidence of ancient settlements.
The Domesday Book of 1086 records the existence of the town.
During the civil war in the eighteenth century Wantage earned the reputation as 'Black Wantage' for housing a number of questionalble people and criminals.
The order of the Community of Saint Mary the Virgin resides in Wantage.
It is one of the largest communities Anglican nuns to be find in the world.
The church of St.
Peter and St.
Paul has been in the area since the thirteenth century.
The King Alfred School boast of a Norman Doorway that was recycled from a demolished ancient chapel.
Today the town is undergoing significant transformations.
Residential development has increased dramatically.
New businesses are cropping up throughout the area increasing the town's population but putting strain on the local wildlife.
With the construction a major supermarket the town of Wantage could be saved from the fate of becoming just another commuter village; or it could drive out existing, independent businesses and make the town lose its original charm.
The area is renowned for its horse racing and there are several gallops close by with racing stables that include, East Hendred, Letcombe Bassett and Lockinge
Wantage is the central tourist centre for the area due to its proximity to the Berkshire Downs and the Vale of the White Horse.
A large museum exists in the town that draws a lot of visitors to the area.
The large market square that showcases the famous statue of King Alfred has numerous shops boasting of an eighteenth century feel.
At one time the town was important in the wool trading industry.
The history of Wantage dates back to the Romans with evidence of ancient settlements.
The Domesday Book of 1086 records the existence of the town.
During the civil war in the eighteenth century Wantage earned the reputation as 'Black Wantage' for housing a number of questionalble people and criminals.
The order of the Community of Saint Mary the Virgin resides in Wantage.
It is one of the largest communities Anglican nuns to be find in the world.
The church of St.
Peter and St.
Paul has been in the area since the thirteenth century.
The King Alfred School boast of a Norman Doorway that was recycled from a demolished ancient chapel.
Today the town is undergoing significant transformations.
Residential development has increased dramatically.
New businesses are cropping up throughout the area increasing the town's population but putting strain on the local wildlife.
With the construction a major supermarket the town of Wantage could be saved from the fate of becoming just another commuter village; or it could drive out existing, independent businesses and make the town lose its original charm.
The area is renowned for its horse racing and there are several gallops close by with racing stables that include, East Hendred, Letcombe Bassett and Lockinge
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