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Local Information for Wantage

Wantage is a small town in the Thames Valley, southern England. It is most famous for being the birthplace of Alfred the Great, in the 9th century. A marble statue of Alfred by Count Gleichen was erected in the 19th century and still stands in the Wantage market-place.

This statue was paid for by Lord Wantage (Robert James Lindsay, later Colonel Sir Robert James Loyd-Lindsay, Baron Wantage of Lockinge, 1832–1901), who also donated the Victoria Cross Gallery to the town, that contained paintings of the deeds leading to a number of Victoria Cross medals, including his own gained during the Crimean War. He was a notable local and national benefactor, who was also involved in founding the English Red Cross Society. A view of the Wantage town centre, 2004. A statue of Alfred the Great stands in the square where the market take place, which is usually used as a carpark. Enlarge A view of the Wantage town centre, 2004. A statue of Alfred the Great stands in the square where the mar...More