Wallingford Magnets

Part of the ruined buildings at Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire, England. Hard to believe that this was once one of the most powerful castles in England - it was begun by Robert D'Oilly in 1067 on the orders of Wiliam I to control the Thames Valley. Over the years is was expanded and became a royal residence as well as fortress. During the Civil War of the 1100s, Matilda took refuge here. from King Stephen's armies. After the Civil War of the 1600s, it was 'slighted' or partially destroyed by Parliamentary troops.

A remaining turret in the walls of Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire, England. Hard to believe that this was once one of the most powerful castles in England - it was begun by Robert D'Oilly in 1067 on the orders of Wiliam I to control the Thames Valley. Over the years is was expanded and became a royal residence as well as fortress. During the Civil War of the 1100s, Matilda took refuge there. from King Stephen's armies. After the Civil War of the 1600s, it was 'slighted' or partially destroyed.

A narrow boat moored just upstream from the medieval bridge over the Thames at Wallingford in Oxfordshire, England. There has been a bridge here at least since medieval times, the first mention being in 1141 when King Stephen besieged Wallingford Castle. The present bridge, dating largely from the 18thC is thought to contain 13thC brickwork within its 22 arches. It spans the Thames linking Wallingford with the village of Crowmarsh Gifford on the opposite bank.

An impressionist's view of the scene looking across the River Thames at Wallingford in Oxfordshire. Wallingford is a picturesque market town between Reading and Oxford with the river flowing along its northern side, In medieval times it was extremely important as it was thge site of a major royal castle. It was also only the second town in England to receive a Royal Charter from Henry II in 1155.

Part of the ruined buildings at Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire, England. Hard to believe that this was once one of the most powerful castles in England - it was begun by Robert D'Oilly in 1067 on the orders of Wiliam I to control the Thames Valley. Over the years is was expanded and became a royal residence as well as fortress. During the Civil War of the 1100s, Matilda took refuge there. from King Stephen's armies. After the Civil War of the 1600s, it was 'slighted' or partially destroyed.

Looking across the River Thames at Wallingford in Oxfordshire, England towards the town. This bridge links Wallingford with Crowmarsh Gifford. A bridge was first mentioned in 1141 when King Stephen besieged the castle. However, the first stone bridge was built slightly later and there are apparently elements of this medieval structure in the bridge we see now! Across the river we can see the spire of St Peter's Church dating from 1776-7, a local landmark. This image captured on an autumn afternoon.

Here we are standing on the Thames Path next to Wallingford Bridge in Oxfordshire and looking over the river to the church of St Peter with its elegant open-work spire. The original church was destroyed by fire during the Civil War, the present one being built in the second half of the 18th century. It is no longer used as a regular place of worship. Wallingford stands between Oxford and Reading and was once an important royal town, the remains of its castle still standing by the river.

The River Thames as it flows past the market town of Wallingford in Oxfordshire, England. This view is from the old bridge that links the town with the village of Crowmarsh Gifford. Wallingford is almost exactly half way between Reading and Oxford and the river here would once have been busy with commercial traffic travelling to and from from London to the east and, after 1789, from the north of England via the newly completed Oxford canal. The river is still busy but now with pleasure craft.

A blue narrowboat having just passed under the central arch of Wallingford Bridge on the River Thames whilst ducks scatter towards the nearest bank! Wallingford is an ancient and picturesque market town on the Thames between Reading and Oxford Here was one of the most important Royal castles in England. The first mention of a bridge was in 1141 when King Stephen beseiged the castle and Queen Matilda.The present bridge apparently has traces of the medieval structure.

The view from Hailey in South Oxfordshire near Wallingford looking across the Thames Valley towards Didcot and Wantage. Hailey is on the edge of the Chiltern Hills and in the backgound can be seen the blue haze of the Berkshire - or North Wessex Downs. Here we're standing outside the King William IV public house which lies at the dead end of the lane which largely comprises the hamlet of Hailey. The building itself is C17th and is Grade II listed. The image has a digital coloured pencil finish

Finished as a pastel drawing, the church of St Mary the Virgin and adjoining almshouses at Ewelme in Oxfordshire, close to Wallingford and Benson. The medieval complex of buildings which includes a school was founded by the De la Pole family in 1437 with profits from the wool trade, Alice de la Pole was the granddaughter of Geoffrey Chaucer, her tomb being in the church. This is also one of the oldest medieval brick buildings.

A boat moored on the bank of the River Thames not far from Wallingford in Oxfordshire. Here we are walking along the Thames Path National Trail between Wallingford and Benson. A lovely stretch of the Thames with trees crowded along the banks but with the occasional gap allowing for nice, peaceful moorings. To our left the towpath takes us to the quaint market town of Wallingford with its many independent shops - and a frequent setting for Midsomer Murders!

At the end of the lane in Ipsden Hailey, South Oxfordshire, stands the King William IV pub. The building dates from the C17th and is a Grade II listed historic building. Hailey is a small hamlet on the edge of the Chiltern Hills overlooking the Thames Valley. From here you can see as far as Didcot and Wallingford - the local town. Not many cars rushing by here as this is as far as you can drive. After this it's walking or cycling only! The image has a coloured pencil finish.

A digital oil painting of St Mary's Church in the village of Cholsey, Oxfordshire, just south of the market town of Wallingford. The church has a long history, apparently being originally built as an abbey church by King Ethelred in about 986. It received a mention in the Domesday Book following the Norman Conquest and they extensively rebuilt it. The churchyard is famous as the last resting place of crime writer Agatha Christie who lived in Cholsey for the last 40 years of her life.

The church of St Botolph at Swyncombe in South Oxfordshire. This lovely old church in the Chiltern Hills lies about 4.5 miles from Wallingford and is fairly close to the B481 running between Nettlebed and Watlington. Seen here with a springtime carpet of primulas, the outside of the church is typically early Norman with a round apsidal end to the chancel. Inside it was restored in 1850. The image has been finished as a coloured pencil drawing.

A cellist playing in an impromptu music session at a local festival in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England. Nikon D200 Nikkor 18-200

Looking across a green field to the village of Ipsden in South Oxfordshire which sits on the edge of the Chiltern Hills overlooking the wide expanse of the Thames Valley - a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). In this view, approaching from the A4074 between Reading and Wallingford, we can see the parish church of St Mary the Virgin - the present building dating from the C12th. the belfry which we see is somewhet later dating from the C19th. Image finished as a pastel painting.

Vintage Middletown, CT

A picturesque boathouse on the banks of the River Thames between Benson and Wallingford in Oxfordshire. Here the river banks are covered in mature trees and plenty of thick undergrowth. But here and there we get glimpses across the river of views such as this. We are standing on the Thames Path, the long distance trail which joins the Thames Barrier in London with the source of the river in the Cotswolds. To our right is the old market town of Wallingford and to our left is the lock at Benson.