Wantage Town Market

This is where King Alfred the Great was born, and that heritage runs through the place in a way that becomes apparent as you spend time here. The market square has been a hub of commerce for centuries, and it still functions as one today—this isn't a heritage performance but an actual market where locals come to shop.

The stalls change depending on the week, but you'll regularly find fresh seasonal produce from local growers, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and handmade crafts. It's useful if you're planning a picnic in the Vale of White Horse, or if you simply want to hunt for the kinds of things—plants, clothing, unusual finds—that don't turn up in chain shops. The range varies, which is part of the appeal.

Wantage sits close to Grove and is straightforward to reach from Faringdon, Abingdon, or Oxford if you're making a day trip. The market's regular schedule makes it simple to factor into your plans. Come here to see how an English market town actually operates away from the usual tourist circuits.