Named after the river that flows along its northern edge, Thame is a historic market town in Oxfordshire. It was founded during the Anglo-Saxon era and flourished in the 12th century following the founding of Thame Abbey by a group of Cistercian monks. Today, Thames exhibits a few timber-framed buildings amongst its elegant, Georgian-style residences.
Things to do in Thame
Don’t miss the Thame Museum, which occupies a former courthouse on the High Street. It houses a diverse array of exhibits that detail the people, events and industries that have shaped the town since Neolithic times. In addition to everyday artefacts, information-packed display panels and fascinating oral histories, the museum features several Elizabethan wall paintings that are of national significance.
Keen cyclists can ride on the Phoenix Trail, a relatively flat route with magnificent views of the Chiltern Hills. Sightings of red kites have been recorded along the trail, with these impressive birds of prey thriving in the area. Dotting the Phoenix Trail are around 30 site-specific artworks inspired by the railway history and surrounding environment.
Thame makes an ideal base for exploring the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which encompasses spectacular chalk hills and lively market towns. Explore the award-winning gardens of Chenies Manor and tour the art-filled rooms of Stonor Park before enjoying the superb views on offer from the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway.
Getting around Thame
Thame is around 30 minutes’ drive from Oxford and just over an hour from the centre of London. Heathrow Airport is 40 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Thame and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.