IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Hill Road, WATLINGTON, OX49 5AD

Milvus milvus is getting very common in these parts as at the beginning of 2014. One of the locals told me that around here they are known as the "Watlington sparrow".

Situated in Spring Lane near Hill Road, this TE, which has the code THWT, is in the background and would have replaced the standard dark wooden hut at the front, possibly in the 1970s when several of the larger TEs were built to handle increased telephone traffic. It provides telephone and broadband services to 1,519 residential and 105 non-residential premises in Watlington, plus Brightwell Baldwin, Britwell Salome, Christmas Common, Cuxham, Pyrton and Shirburn nearby. This TE has (01491) 61xxxx numbers, the (01491) referring to the Henley-on-Thames group of ten TEs, and its postcode is OX49 5BD.

This photo of the TE in Spring Lane compares with the one taken in August 2009 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1519867 refers. Since then, the dark wooden hut-type building in front of it has been demolished. This TE building would date from the early 1970s, when several were built in the United Kingdom to cope with the increase in telephone traffic. The words TELEPHONE EXCHANGE have since been removed from above its entrance. These days, "Telecoms Building" would perhaps be a more appropriate name for this TE as it covers the supply of both telephone and broadband services to Watlington and the surrounding locality.

Situated in Hill Road, OX49 5AB, this information board is located by the car park. It has the following wording: Left hand side Watlington Oxfordshire Chilterns Country The attractive market town of Watlington sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, and dates back to the 8th Century. The town is full of historical buildings and a wide selection of interesting and diverse shops offering a range of speciality foods and goods providing a unique shopping experience. There are a number of pubs and cafes to choose from where you can enjoy good food and drink. There is free car parking in the Town car park in Hill Road. The Chiltern Hills is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contains some of the finest countryside in the UK. Being surrounded by a wonderful network of rights of way and skirted by the Icknield Way (The Ridgeway National Trail), Watlington is popular with walkers, naturalists, cyclists and horse riders. In addition there are several areas of Open Access land where you can explore without having to stick to a defined path. Look for the symbol (it is the brown and white symbol on the extreme right of the board). The Parish Council has produced a series of leaflets illustrating and describing a selection of walks for you to enjoy. Copies of these are available from the Community Office, Church, Library or Paper Shop or download one from our website "www.watlington.org". Since the reintroduction of red kites to the area a few years ago, it has become a centre from those wishing to see these rare birds in their natural habitat. Despite its royal location, Watlington is within easy access of the M40 making it an excellent place to live, work and to visit. Middle Welcome to Watlington A large map of Watlington and the surrounding area, plus a street map of Watlington at the top left hand corner. Right hand side discover the town and explore the surrounding countryside Smaller Map of Watlington and the surrounding area. Watlington Town i) Soak up the atmosphere of this historic market town ii) Enjoy a shopping experience - with specialist shops catering for all iii) Take the Town Walk and discover a wealth of 15th to 19th Century buildings iv) Visit the Church of St Leonard v) Enjoy good food and drink in a number of pubs and restaurants vi) Have your picnic in the delightful Paddock or get out into the magnificent surrounding countryside Watlington's Countryside i) Enjoy a walk in the Chiltern Hills or the flatter Vale of Oxford ii) Take the Ridgeway National Trail or other long distance paths for walking and riding or pick up a leaflet and try one of the promoted walks out of Watlington iii) Wander freely around the beautiful Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve iv) Visit some of the surrounding picturesque villages and hamlets v) Get off the paths and explore some of the many areas of Open Access land where you see this sign (to the right of this wording) What's On i) Watlington Festival - late May Bank Holiday ii)Village Fetes: Pyrton in mid May, Brightwell Baldwin in June, Watlington in June and August iii) Cricket in Watlington and Cuxham iv) Antique Furniture auctions at Watcombe Manor v) Fruit and Vegetable Market - Tuesday, Thursday & Thursday vi) Watlington Concert Band - musical events throughout the year and so much more "www.watlington.org"

Handy for walkers and cyclists as a base.

The cottages were built in 1865 as a training school for domestic servants.