Discover Watlington

Watlington offers several distinct themes to help you plan a stay: the history of the Town Hall and the White Mark, the chalk landscape around Watlington Hill, walking routes, and recurring market and art events.

History, art and events

The Town Hall in Watlington was built in 1665 for Thomas Stonor and is a Grade II* listed building. The Watlington White Mark offers a different historical reference: the 270-foot-high, spire-shaped figure was designed by Edward Horne in 1764 and cut into the chalk hillside of Watlington Hill. It was intended to create the illusion of a spire for the parish church of St Leonard. The Town Hall and the White Mark therefore represent different historical points of reference: a building with a construction date and a connection to Thomas Stonor, and a shaped chalk figure associated with the parish church.

At Watlington ArtWeeks, artists’ work is displayed in public spaces and shops along the High Street. Watlington ArtWeeks lasts one week each year and takes place in May; check the dates for the relevant year before travelling. Watlington ARTSHUB runs art workshops for visitors and local residents. Local events are held at St Leonard's Church in Watlington almost every month.

Chalk landscape and walking routes

East of Watlington lie Watlington Hill and Pyrton Hill, with extensive chalk grasslands that are of national importance for nature conservation. Together with neighbouring Pyrton Hill, Watlington Hill forms part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The high-quality chalk grassland on Watlington Hill is rich in wildflowers and birds.

Two walks offer different highlights. The challenging “Chiltern escarpment and woodland walk” starts at Watlington Hill. The “Watlington circular – chalk pits and ancient routes” route follows a section of the Oxfordshire Way and passes through gently rolling chalk country and beech woods. The first walk is explicitly described as challenging; the second route focuses on its course and landscape. Check local conditions for this route before setting out.

The Watlington Hill car park is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Watlington town centre. This distance gives you a point of reference if you are planning events in the town centre and a visit to the Hill separately.

Weekly market

A fruit and vegetable market is held at the Town Hall Undercroft every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If your stay falls on one of these days, you can include market day in your plans. The events follow different schedules: ArtWeeks takes place for one week each year in May, while the market is held three days a week.

Discover more destinations: Hethe, Bletchingdon, Thame, Horspath, Great Rollright, Weston-On-The-Green, Clifton Hampden, North Leigh

For the wider travel overview: Oxfordshire.