Built-up area in Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.589, -1.421 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 40 87 |
| Population: | 18,505 |
Wantage is a market town in the Vale of White Horse district of Oxfordshire, England. It lies on the River Ock at the foot of the Berkshire Downs, with easy access to the ancient Ridgeway and the famous Uffington White Horse on nearby chalk hills. Traditionally regarded as the birthplace of King Alfred the Great, the town was part of Berkshire until the 1974 local government reorganisation that moved the area into Oxfordshire.
Today Wantage retains a compact historic centre with a weekly market, independent shops, cafés and the local Vale and Downland Museum, and hosts community events and festivals. Its economy is a mix of retail and light industry and it serves as a commuter base for people working in nearby Didcot and Oxford, while the surrounding Vale remains largely agricultural and popular with walkers and heritage visitors.