Watlington, Oxfordshire

The Watlington area is likely to have been settled at an early date, encouraged by the proximity of the Icknield Way. The toponym means "settlement of Waecel's people" and indicates occupation from around the 6th century. A 9th-century charter by Æthelred of Mercia records eight 'manses' or major dwellings in Watlington. The Domesday Book of 1086 referred to the town as Watelintone or Watelintune. Medieval documents indicate that the modern street plan was in existence in the 14th century, as Cochynes-lane (Couching Street), and Brook Street are recorded. There are records of inns in Watlington since the 15th century. In 1722 the town's market was listed as being held on a Saturday. By the…

Five episodes of the TV series Midsomer Murders have been filmed partly in Watlington, with the library as 'Midsomer Library'. At least one episode of the TV series Inspector Morse was filmed partly in Watlington, with the nearby Shirburn Castle appearing as the Balcombe family home in the episode Happy Families. The 2014 film Fury, starring Brad Pitt, was partly filmed in and near Watlington. The pivotal balloon-accident-scene in the opening chapter of the novel Enduring Love by Ian McEwan takes place on an escarpment of the Chiltern Hills above Watlington.