Thame offers several distinct ways to enjoy a stay: cultural and historical exhibits in the museum, architectural landmarks from different centuries, and walks in Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve. You can choose what to focus on depending on whether you are most interested in exhibitions, historic architecture or a walk in the countryside.
Museum: Different Perspectives on Thame
The Main Gallery of Thame Museum is housed in the large chamber of the former Magistrates’ Court. It traces the history of Thame, from prehistory and early history through the Roman and Saxon periods to the Elizabethan era, the Civil War and the 20th century. This broad timespan is especially interesting for travellers who want to explore the town’s history beyond a single period. Another permanent gallery is devoted to the Elizabethan Wall Paintings. It displays exceptionally well-preserved examples from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Alongside the historical overview, it offers a focused look at the paintings of that era. The permanent Robin Gibb Gallery takes a different approach: dedicated to the Bee Gees, it displays artefacts, photographs and other memorabilia from the personal archive of Robin Gibb’s widow, Dwina. Together, the three galleries offer different perspectives, from the town’s long history and Elizabethan paintings to music history.
Church and Architectural History
The Church of St Mary brings together several historical milestones. Construction began in the 13th century at the instigation of Robert Grossteste, Bishop of Lincoln; its aisle windows date from the early 14th century. The church also contains the altar tomb of Lord Williams of Thame and his first wife, Elizabeth. Its origins, surviving architecture and a specific, named tomb are thus all represented in one place. Other buildings also illustrate different periods in the town’s history: the original building of Lord Williams’s School, completed in 1571, can still be seen next to the Barns Centre. The Prebendal is a 13th-century house that was restored in 1836. The house is associated with a prebend established around 1140 by the Bishop of Lincoln. Thame’s surviving medieval street plan is also part of its historic townscape.
On Foot: Nature Walks and Themed Trails
At Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve, you can choose between a short circular walk and a longer visit to the network of paths: the circular walk takes about 20 minutes, while the paths are also suitable for visits lasting an hour or more. The two Thame trails have different focuses. The Historic Town Trail is an approximately one-hour walk through the centre, starting at the Town Hall. The self-guided Midsomer Murders Trail takes no more than an hour and includes filming locations in and around Thame. The trails therefore differ both in subject—town history or filming locations—and in their stated duration. Route details may change, so check them before setting off if you plan to follow one of the trails.
A Monthly Market Day
Thame Local Produce Market takes place on the second Tuesday of each month. If you want to include the market in your stay, plan your trip around that day of the week.
Discover more destinations: Great Rollright, Drayton, Sparsholt, Swinbrook, Kingston Blount, Middle Aston, Clifton Hampden, Oxford
For the county-wide travel overview: Oxfordshire.
