England’s Birthplace Wallingford Oxfordshire

Wallingford was where Alfred the Great built a massive bush to defend Wessex against the Vikings. The river was the borderline between Wessex and the Kingdom of Mercia. Sitting on the Mercian side it also provided a staging point for the unification of England. Previously, it was the crossing point allowing Julius Caesar's invasion army cross the river Thames in 54 BC. One thousand years later, it was also the crossing point allowing William the Conqueror to enter London and be crowned King of England on the 25th December 1066 in Westminster Abbey. Today it is a pleasant town with great local shops and wonderful walks, especially if you like red kites.