Midsomer fans are in for a treat this summer! Not only can they take the ever-popular Thame Midsomer Walking Tour on Wednesday or on Saturdays, there is a double treat in store on selected Sundays, combining a Midsomer walking tour with a steam train trip during which a cream tea is served on board Chinnor & Princes Risborough Heritage Railway. There’s even an optional lunch built in at the Black Horse Pub & Brasserie in Thame.
You’ll take the walking tour first, arriving for the start outside Thame Town Hall at 12 midday, where you’ll be greeted by one of seven knowledgeable guides - enthusiastic experts, not only on Midsomer Murders locations, the episodes, the actors, the bizarre methods of murder and much more, but on local history too. Thame is one of the most-filmed Midsomer locations, sometimes appearing as Causton, sometimes as one of the many picturesque villages in Midsomer County (aka Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire). You’ll be taken round 23 Midsomer filming locations, and you’ll learn fascinating snippets about Thame’s history, from its ancient Neanderthal remains to the English Civil War and Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. One popular location is the Prebendal, not only rich in history as a building, but also the former home of Bee Gee Robin Gibb, who is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard nearby.
For those who’d like to rest their legs before going to Chinnor to take the steam train ride at 3:45, there’s an optional special-price lunch at the Black Horse Pub & Brasserie, which you can enjoy before travelling to Chinnor for an hour-long train trip through beautiful countryside, including a classic cream tea served on board.
Chinnor Railway Station is a Midsomer Murders filming location. It became Holm Lane Junction for Death in a Chocolate Box - station signs were changed, buffers were installed, and the station platform and train were drenched in 'rain', all to create the Midsomer illusion. Your trip includes passing over the level crossing at Wainhill, which featured in The Made to Measure Murders.
Stanley Hart, chairman at the volunteer-run Chinnor Heritage Railway, said, “We are delighted to offer our All-day Rover tickets together with classic cream tea in the steam-hauled train restaurant as part of an exciting day out in Midsomer County. Chinnor station is just 10 minutes from Thame by car or taxi, so please join us on one of our special Midsomer Sunday adventures!”
Tony Long, tour coordinator, commented, “We are excited to be co-hosting this special day out for Midsomer fans, combining our popular Midsomer Walking Tour with a steam train ride on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Heritage Railway. The season has already got off to a very good start, and we think fans will love this special day out, taking the tour followed by a rail trip from Chinnor, another Midsomer filming location. If you’re a Midsomer fan, there’s plenty to enjoy this summer”.
