A Landmark in the Heart of Thame
Standing proudly on Thame’s historic High Street, The Spread Eagle Hotel has welcomed travellers, merchants, writers, royalty and locals for centuries. Today, the hotel remains one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks, its famous eagle sign hanging above the street much as it has done for generations. The building itself dates back to the 16th century, originally operating as a coaching inn serving visitors travelling between London, Oxford and the Midlands.
Situated in one of England’s finest market towns, The Spread Eagle has witnessed the changing fortunes of Thame through civil war, royal visits, literary fame and, more recently, television stardom.
Royal Connections – King Charles and the Civil War
Like many important coaching inns of the period, The Spread Eagle played a role in England’s turbulent history. During the 17th century, Thame found itself at the centre of activity during the English Civil War, with both Royalist and Parliamentary forces occupying the town at different times. Historical records and local tradition associate the hotel with visits from King Charles II, adding to its long-standing reputation as one of Oxfordshire’s most distinguished inns.
The location of Thame, close to Oxford – then the Royalist capital – made the town a natural stopping point for travellers and dignitaries throughout the period.
Jane Austen’s Oxfordshire
While no definitive record exists of Jane Austen staying at The Spread Eagle itself, the author was familiar with Oxfordshire and travelled extensively through the counties surrounding Thame. The coaching inns and market towns of Georgian England, much like Thame, formed part of the social landscape that inspired the world depicted in her novels.
Visitors today can still experience the atmosphere of an authentic English market town, with
The John Fothergill Years
No figure is more closely associated with The Spread Eagle than the legendary innkeeper John Fothergill.
In 1922, Fothergill purchased the hotel and transformed it into one of Britain’s most celebrated country inns. At a time when dining out was still relatively uncommon, he established The Spread Eagle as a destination for exceptional food, hospitality and character.
Guests travelled from London, Oxford and beyond to experience his unique style of innkeeping.
Fothergill was renowned for his strong opinions, eccentric humour and uncompromising standards. His bestselling memoir, An Innkeeper’s Diary, chronicled life at The Spread Eagle and became one of the most famous books ever written about hotel keeping. The success of the book brought national attention to both the hotel and the town of Thame.
The hotel became a gathering place for some of the leading literary and artistic figures of the day. Among its visitors were Evelyn Waugh, George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, G.K. Chesterton and members of the “Bright Young Things” social set. Waugh was such a regular visitor that he famously described Fothergill as “Oxford’s only civilising influence.”
Fothergill’s influence on British hospitality was so significant that he is now recognised as one of the pioneers of modern country house hotel dining. His legacy remains woven into the fabric of The Spread Eagle today.
A Historic Coaching Inn Through the Centuries
The building seen today reflects centuries of change and expansion. The prominent frontage overlooking Cornmarket dates largely from the 18th century and remains a fine example of Georgian architecture. Behind the elegant façade lie older sections of the inn, a maze of corridors, staircases and historic rooms that hint at its coaching inn origins. The hotel is now a Grade II* listed building, recognised for its architectural and historic importance.
Many original features survive, helping to create the character and charm that guests continue to enjoy today.
The Spread Eagle and Midsomer Murders
In recent decades, The Spread Eagle has become familiar to millions of television viewers as a filming location for ITV’s Midsomer Murders. Thame regularly appears as the fictional county town of Causton, and the hotel has featured in several episodes including Midsomer Life and Vixen’s Run.
The popularity of the series has introduced The Spread Eagle and Thame to visitors from around the world. Today, guests can follow dedicated Midsomer Murders trails around the town and stay in the very hotel that has appeared on screen.
The Spread Eagle Today
More than 500 years after welcoming its first guests, The Spread Eagle remains at the heart of life in Thame. While modern comforts have replaced horse-drawn coaches, the hotel’s commitment to hospitality remains unchanged.
Whether visiting for a meal, a wedding, a business event, a weekend break or a Midsomer Murders getaway, guests become part of a story that stretches back through centuries of English history.
From kings and writers to television detectives and modern-day travellers, The Spread Eagle Hotel continues to offer a warm welcome in one of Oxfordshire’s most historic settings.