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Tourism in Thame

Thame is ideally situated to discover the beauty and tranquillity of the Thames and Chilterns areas and the colleges and museums of Oxford.

THAME itself is a bustling market town with a large boat shaped market place. There is a twice weekly cattle market and a very popular street market every Tuesday.

Within the town there are many historic sites including the original interior wall of the Greyhound Inn where the English Civil War hero, John Hampden died of his wounds, received at the battle of Chalgrove Field. The spectacular 13th Century Church of St Mary's dominates the skyline and is open to the public most days. Just a short stroll from the church is the Bandstand which came from Wembley exhibition in 1921. The Birdcage Inn, in the Cornmarket, was built in the 15th Century and once housed French prisoners from the Napolionic wars awaiting trial.

In Thame today you can sample the delicacies from our high quality butchers, bakers and delicatessens, pick up a bargain at the Tuesday market, browse around some of the award winning specialist shops, see a performance at the Thame Players' Theatre or the Thame Leisure Centre, take a walk on one of three Thame circular walks, have a picnic at the Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve, or just call into one of many tea rooms, public houses or restaurants, relax, have a meal and plan a visit to one of the many other attractions in the area.

The annual Oxfordshire and Thame Show, the biggest one-day agricultural show, will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Thame is easily accessible from the M40 Junction 7 and 8. The nearest train station is at Haddenham and Thame Parkway (on the Marlebone to Birmingham route). There is a regular bus service to Oxford, Aylesbury and High Wycombe (route 280 Arriva Bus Company).

To the South of Thame are the Chiltern Hills and The Ridgeway Path, with many public walkways where outstanding views of the surrounding area can be enjoyed. Explore the delightful gardens at Waterperry with its house, formal and informal gardens and tea rooms just to the north of Thame. The Oxfordshire Way and Cycleway meander through the countryside to the west of Thame and to the east is the larger market town of Aylesbury.

The picturesque Phoenix Trail, a shared-use path for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, runs along the old railway route between Thame and Princes Risborough. It is flat and surfaced and ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs and there is seating every 500 metres. The Phoenix Trail has something to suit everyone, whether it's a quick and traffic-free cycle ride or a tranquil amble with a dog on a summer's evening. Sit on the sculptures to admire the magificent views of the near by Chiltern hills and observe Red Kites, the impressive birds of prey that thrive in the area. Whatever the weather or season, the Phoenix Trail gives you the chance to get out into the fresh air all year round.

Download the Thame Historic Town Trail here (This may take a few seconds - please be patient)
Download the Thame Walking & Cycling Map here (use the magnifying glass icon to enlarge)

If you would like to add an attraction here please email or call:07792487030


Nearby attractions include:

~Rycote Chapel, Waterperry Gardens
~Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor
~Claydon House, Hughendon Manor
~Bekonscot Model Village, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
~Colleges and Museums of Oxford, Chiltern Open Air Museum, County museum, Woodstock

Yearly events in Thame include:
Thame Show - 3rd Thursday in September - includess Fun Fair in the town centre
One day fair (the old 'horse fair' ) in early October
Art in Action at Waterperry Gardens (July)
Towersey Festival (August Bank Holiday)
Thame Festival & Carnival - June

For tourist information, call in at Thame.Net's office (Jordans courtyard, 8 Upper High Street) or visit the One Stop Shop in the town hall for Historic Town Trail leaflet, Cycling & Walking map and lots more! .........If you require more information please call 07792487030 (Thame.Net) or 01844 212833 (Thame Town Council)


Follow Link for list of events in Thame and the area

Shopping in Thame

Just five minutes walk from Thame's High Street lies the local Nature Reserve where you can ramble, picnic, birdwatch, pond dip, jog, walk the dog or just relax. Uniquely sited within the boundaries of the town the Reserve offers 27 acres of varied habitat criss-crossed with paths. There are wild flower meadows to wander in, a newly planted wood makes a quiet spot for a picnic, a pond with a dipping platform is a magnet for children, the reed and sedge beds are interesting for birdwatchers and an enclosed area is ideal for families. The Cuttle Brook runs right through the site providing a wildlife corridor linking different areas and offering habitat for kingfishers and water vole as well as many other resident and visiting creatures.

At every season of the year Cuttle Brook has much to offer. In the spring the Blackthorn and pink May trees flower prolifically and the birds start to nest in the many trees and hedgerows; cuckoos return each year. In summer the wild flowers bloom and the meadows wave with tall grasses where butterflies abound; swifts and swallows skim the pond, and shady paths alongside the brook tempt the visitor to explore further. The colours of autumn are splendid as there are many varieties of trees and shrubs, some well established, some newly planted. Winter has its charms when the vistas are long and open, the reeds rustle and whisper and the brook rushes and swirls on its way to the River Thame.

Cuttle Brook Nature reserve is owned and managed by Thame Town Council with much of the practical work being done by the Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers. For more information and how to find the Reserve, an interpretative leaflet is available at the the Town Hall.


Waterperry Gardens

A thorough vist to Waterperry will take the best part of the day. Beyond the gardens themselves, there is a Saxon Church, an extensive garden centre - with many plants from the gardens - and importantly a tea shop where the visitor can rest and restore the body.

Lastly before leaving, visitors may like to visit Waterperry's latest attraction: an 18th century barn which has been restored and now houses a permanent Art in Action gallery. It is a year round exhibition of fine art and craft.

Opening Times April to October November to March
Gardens and Shop 9.00 to 5.30 9.00 to 5.00
Pear Tree Teashop 10.00 to 5.00 10.00 to 4.00
Art in Action 9.00 to 5.00 9.00 to 4.30

Waterperry, Nr Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1JZ Tel: 01844 339254

Visit Historic

Rycote Chapel

15th century chapel with exquisitely carved and painted woodwork, has many intriguing features, including two roofed pews and a musicians gallery.

Milton Common, Oxfordshire.
(Off A329, South-West of Thame).

Open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (2.00pm - 6.00pm) from 1st April - 30th September.

English Heritage members - FREE

Historic Properties South West, 29 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4ND
Telephone 0117 975 0700 Fax 0117 975 0701

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ (National Site)