Reputedly England’s smallest town, nestling in the shadows of the Chiltern Hills, Watlington offers a traditional market town welcome.

With origins dating back to the 6th century, the proximity of the Icknield Way, civil war connections, and mention in the Domesday Book, Watlington is certainly steeped in history. The fine 17th Century Town Hall is accompanied by many 16th century and Georgian buildings, as well as the venerable church of St Leonard’s. Watlington exhibits the specialist shops, pubs, small businesses, and great hospitality, which make it the very epitome of a small English Market town.

In 1664–65 Watlington Town Hall was built at the expense of Thomas Stonor. Its upper room was endowed by Stonor as a grammar school for boys, and in 1731 Dame Alice Tipping of Ewelme gave a further endowment to increase the number of pupils. In 1842 the town Vestry established a National School, which shared the same rooms in the town hall.

Before setting off we called in at mum’s to collect our anniversary card. She had been hoping to post it to the hotel until she realised we were stopping in two hotels.

Our journey ran smoothly although there were a few slow areas due to heavy traffic. We had lunch at the Granary Cafe at Watlington which was recommended in my recently purchased ‘Extra Mile’ book. Which lists delicious eateries as alternatives to stopping at motorway service stations. We had to wait a while for the food to arrive (crustless quiche for me) but when it did it was worth the wait. After lunch we enjoyed a quick stroll through the town to see the interesting architecture, including the Town Hall.

On arrival at Arundel, we found the tucked away hotel carpark and checked in to The Norfolk Arms. It was a lovely sunny day so we dropped our bags in our room then enjoyed a glass of wine (beer for Mr C) in the hotel garden area.

Later, our bags unpacked, we enjoyed dinner in the hotel restaurant. I chose guinea fowl with croquettes flavoured with truffle oil; it was delicious. We shared a desert; apricot and almond fool with amaretti cream. Yum!

We crossed the road to the Red Lion where we found that an open mike evening was taking place. We were treated to some talented singing and good old classic music before it was time to retire for the evening.