St Leonard's is the earliest, with late Saxon work in the walls and Norman work inside. St Mary's was rebuilt in the 19th century but it retains the 17th century tower built from the castle stone. The monuments in the church reflect the many benefactors of the town. St Peter's is now redundant but it is notable for its 18th century architecture and spire and as the burial place of Judge William Blackstone, author of the famous law book, Commentaries on the Laws of England. This work was used by the founding fathers of America when they drew up the Constitution of the United States. Blackstone built and lived in Castle Priory, near St Peter's. The Baptist church opposite St Peter's is another 18th century building while the present Roman Catholic Church in the Market Place began life in 1799 as a Congregational chapel! The Methodist chapels belong to the Victorian era.

The railway came in 1866 in the form of the branch line from Cholsey and the 'Bunk', as it was known, continued until the Beeching axe fell in 1959. Now the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway Preservation Society has reinstated the passenger service.

Wallingford continues its tradition as a Market Town - today the medieval stalls have been replaced by a Friday Market and an agreeable mixture of small businesses, long-established family shops and supermarkets. It also seems quite appropriate that there is a wealth of antique shops in the centre of the town and in the quiet back-streets to delight collectors and browsers with remnants of the past.

(Historic Wallingford - a Walk-round Guide priced £1.95 and Wallingford & the Civil War priced £2.75 are available from the Museum, Tourist Information Office or local shops,).
All text © Judy & Stuart Dewey 2001. All images © David Beasley 2001.