Thame is a rapidly expanding market town, which has managed to preserve its historic character. It was in existence well before the Conquest but owes its structure and in particular its wide main street to its development in the 13th-century as a market town.

It has many historic inns and other period houses, including 16th-century Lord Williams’s Grammar School, where the diarist Anthony Wood was a pupil, as was the great Parliamentarian John Hampden, who died in Thame in 1643 after being wounded at the Battle of Chalgrove, during the English Civil War.

The cruciform parish church was built in 1240 by Bishop Grosseteste. Memorials include the alabaster tomb of Lord Williams and his wife and the 15th-century brass of Geoffrey Dormer, his two wives and their 25 children.

The Spread Eagle Hotel is the hostelry celebrated in John Fothergill’s An Innkeeper’s Diary. Market day is Tuesday.

Places To Go

Boarstall Duck Decoy and Nature Reserve: two miles west of Brill. Ancient working duck decoy. Nature trail and exhibition hall. Open April to August, bank holiday Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 01844 237488.
Brill Windmill: Windmill Street, Brill. 17th-century mill, good picnic spot. Open April to September on Sundays.
Claydon House: Middle Claydon, near Buckingham. Georgian country house, with fine Chinoiserie and rococo decorations. Open March to November, closed Thursdays and Fridays. Call 01494 755561 for information or see the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Nether Winchendon House: near Aylesbury. A gothic medieval manor house. Open in May only. Visit the website: www.netherwinchendonhouse.com
Rycote Chapel: Milton Common, near Thame. English Heritage 15th-century chapel where Elizabeth I worshipped as a princess. Open April to September, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, and by
appointment, call 01844 210210.
Towersey: near Thame. Venue of famous annual folk festival held over August bank holiday weekend. See the website www.mrscasey.co.uk/towersey

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