1. Wallingford

2. Why did people settle in Wallingford? Wallingford provided a good place to cross the river Some crossed the river in boats Now it has a long river bridge – it is only slightly shorter than London Bridge Wallingford became a busy town

3. What can buildings or sites tell us about the past? William the Conqueror crossed the Thames at Wallingford on his way to London following the Battle of Hastings William built Wallingford Castle The town was surrounded by walls – some can still be seen today The royal family used to stay there and go hunting in the woods The castle was demolished by the order of Oliver Cromwell in 1646 There is a secret tunnel from the castle to the main street in case the king needed to escape! The castle used to mint its own coins

4. What can buildings or sites tell us about the past? Corn Exchange: built in 1856 Several corn merchants joined together and raised the money needed to build it Converted into a cinema and theatre Wallingford received its charter over 800 years ago The Town Hall was built in the 1600s The Town Council meet there It is in the Market Place Today there are two markets each week

5. Acknowledgements http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_south/175/wallingfordcastle.htm http://www.wallingford.co.uk/history/