Exploring and Discovering

Learn about the past in South Oxfordshire

Take the children on a discovery of England's past in South Oxfordshire, where they can touch the ruins of William the Conqueror's castle, examine Iron Age, Roman and Victorian tools and get face to face with roman skeletons. Witness where Henry VII once lived and Shakespeare once travelled and visit Wallingford, the second largest town King Alfred built.

Waiting to be explored are legacies of the Romans, Saxons and Victorians who lived, worked and visited the area. Treasures include a secret priest hole at Stonor Park, the remains of a Romano-British house with mosaic floors at Wittenham Clumps, the magnificent Dorchester Abbey and the only working watermill on the River Thames, at Mapledurham House.

South Oxfordshire's six museums provide more information about the area and its role in the civil war battles between Cromwell's Roundheads and King Charles 1's Cavaliers.

In Wallingford, listen out for the bell that tolls just before 9pm. William the Conqueror awarded the town an extra hour before curfew - from 8pm to 9pm - as a thank you for their co-operation in building his castle. Today the bell tolls as a reminder of the king's ancient favour.

Children can get their hands on real Iron Age, Victorian and Roman tools, see real Iron Age and Roman skeletons and learn about the changing landscape at Project Timescape at Wittenham Clumps. Take a stroll along the Icknield Way, Britain's oldest road where William Shakespeare and William the Conqueror once walked and visit the village of Ewelme to see the manor that Henry VII once called his 'palace'.

You can learn about the journey of the River Thames from its source to sea at the River and Rowing Museum. Children can experience what it is like to take part in a race at the Henley Royal Regatta with an interactive session 'In the cox's seat' at the museum. They can also experience what rail travel was like from the late Victorian era to the mid 50's at one of South Oxfordshire's railways.