Rachel’s guidebook to Wantage and the Local Area
- 75, St Gabriel's
All Natural Products
All products in the house including shower gel, shampoo and soaps are all natural eco-friendly products.
Cleaning products used in the house follow the same goal of causing minimal harm to the environment and to precious "Mother Earth".
Food waste is all composted by putting into the green food caddy and when that is full adding it to the larger bin in the carport. I either use it in my allotment composter or it is collected by Oxfordshire green services for recycling and is eventually used on farm land helping to keep the soil eco culture rich and diverse.
Historic market town built by Alfred the Great. Markets are still held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesday's market features Joe, the fresh fish man, fruit and vegetable store, the coffee van, bread and pastry stand, local eggs and honey and some other variable food stalls including Indian and Italian take-away foods.
The Saturday market is generally bigger with several local food and drink stalls. There is no fresh fish on a Saturday. However, you can buy fantastic Kombucha tea from a local lady that brews it herself. She is happy to let you taste them.
Wantage is 5 minutes drive from the North Wessex Downs an area of outstanding beauty which has many wonderful hiking and routes along the Ridgeway.
White Horse Hill at Uffington is a 15 minute drive. On the hill there is the remains of an iron age fort Fantastic scenery all round and great for romping around with the family.
Vale and Downland Museum is open to the general public to learn more about the local area. It is a 7 minute walk from the house, by the church just off the market square.The museum is interactive, small and fun for younger members of the family. They also have a lovely coffee shop. Check the website for opening times.
13 locals recommend
Wantage
Historic market town built by Alfred the Great. Markets are still held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesday's market features Joe, the fresh fish man, fruit and vegetable store, the coffee van, bread and pastry stand, local eggs and honey and some other variable food stalls including Indian and Italian take-away foods.
The Saturday market is generally bigger with several local food and drink stalls. There is no fresh fish on a Saturday. However, you can buy fantastic Kombucha tea from a local lady that brews it herself. She is happy to let you taste them.
Wantage is 5 minutes drive from the North Wessex Downs an area of outstanding beauty which has many wonderful hiking and routes along the Ridgeway.
White Horse Hill at Uffington is a 15 minute drive. On the hill there is the remains of an iron age fort Fantastic scenery all round and great for romping around with the family.
Vale and Downland Museum is open to the general public to learn more about the local area. It is a 7 minute walk from the house, by the church just off the market square.The museum is interactive, small and fun for younger members of the family. They also have a lovely coffee shop. Check the website for opening times.
Local Food Scene
Recommendations for eating locally are all based on my personal experience and within 10 minutes walking distance of the house.
Local pub with large outdoor seating area and good pub grub. Very good value for money.
King Alfreds Cafe
Local pub with large outdoor seating area and good pub grub. Very good value for money.
The Buzz Cafe
21 Mill StHome cooked, simple food. Good for a snack - sandwiches, baked potatoes etc.
Local cafe serving cakes, pastries, and simple lunch dishes - soup, avocado on toast etc. Very good coffee.
Marmalade
30 Market PlLocal cafe serving cakes, pastries, and simple lunch dishes - soup, avocado on toast etc. Very good coffee.
This is a family run business and the food is made to order. You can eat in or take out either collect yourself or have it delivered by one of the team. When eating in, as they do not have an alcohol licence in you can bring your own for no extra cost. A copy of the menu is in the red folder.
Sylheti Spice
29 Market PlaceThis is a family run business and the food is made to order. You can eat in or take out either collect yourself or have it delivered by one of the team. When eating in, as they do not have an alcohol licence in you can bring your own for no extra cost. A copy of the menu is in the red folder.
This is a small restaurant that specialises in sourdough pizza. The team are friendly and helpful and the pizzas excellent. Great value for money.
The Vaults
This is a small restaurant that specialises in sourdough pizza. The team are friendly and helpful and the pizzas excellent. Great value for money.
Excellent restaurant serving seasonal food. Big portions and good value for money. Service friendly and helpful.
The Bear Hotel
14 Market PlExcellent restaurant serving seasonal food. Big portions and good value for money. Service friendly and helpful.
Recently refurbished bar with good size outdoor seating area. Wide selections of wine by the glass as well as cocktails.
The Blue Boar
Recently refurbished bar with good size outdoor seating area. Wide selections of wine by the glass as well as cocktails.
City/town information
Beautiful old university town situated on the river. Caters to young crowd as well as the more mature. Wide range of restaurants and cafes, covered market, shops and places of interest - university, botanical gardens, Christ church cathedral, Ashmolean museum of art as well as lovely river walks.
556 locals recommend
Oxford
Beautiful old university town situated on the river. Caters to young crowd as well as the more mature. Wide range of restaurants and cafes, covered market, shops and places of interest - university, botanical gardens, Christ church cathedral, Ashmolean museum of art as well as lovely river walks.
Beautiful cathedral in Oxford city centre. Easily accessible by bus from market square, Wantage. Many other attractions also found in Oxford, including beautiful architecture, several museums and a great restaurant and bar scene. Markets held at different times of the year in Oxford.l
45 locals recommend
Christ Church Cathedral
Saint Aldate'sBeautiful cathedral in Oxford city centre. Easily accessible by bus from market square, Wantage. Many other attractions also found in Oxford, including beautiful architecture, several museums and a great restaurant and bar scene. Markets held at different times of the year in Oxford.l
Local Interest
Activities, gifts and sights of local interest
Excellent local beers which can be purchased directly from the brewery shop. Fun gifts for special occasions.
White Horse Brewery
3 Ware RoadExcellent local beers which can be purchased directly from the brewery shop. Fun gifts for special occasions.
Shop locally - A central arcade for local artisans offering a wide range of unique gifts including cut glass, small home furnishings, ceramics and leather items.
The Arbery
11-12 Market PlaceShop locally - A central arcade for local artisans offering a wide range of unique gifts including cut glass, small home furnishings, ceramics and leather items.
Fantastic views on a clear day, all round Oxfordshire into Berkshire, and Wiltshire. Iron age fort, excellent for a good romp. Please do not leave valuables in your car as the car park has been known for car break-ins.
78 locals recommend
Uffington White Horse
Dragon Hill RoadFantastic views on a clear day, all round Oxfordshire into Berkshire, and Wiltshire. Iron age fort, excellent for a good romp. Please do not leave valuables in your car as the car park has been known for car break-ins.
City advice
Getting around
Use bus service to Oxford from Wantage
Regular bus service from Market Square, Wantage to centre of Oxford starting early morning to late night. S9 is the most direct service taking about 54 minutes. S8 goes via Harwell and Didcot, taking much longer.