Dorchester on Thames

Dorchester on Thames
Dorchester-on-Thames with the Abbey tower in the background (July 2009)
Dorchester on Thames Location within Oxfordshire
Area	4.18 km2 (1.61 sq mi)
Population	992 (2001 census)[1]
• Density	237/km2 (610/sq mi)
OS grid reference	SU5794
Civil parish	Dorchester
District	South Oxfordshire
Shire county	Oxfordshire
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Wallingford
Postcode district	OX10
Dialling code	01865
Police	Thames Valley
Fire	Oxfordshire
Ambulance	South Central
UK Parliament	Henley and Thame
Website	Dorchester on Thames
List of places UK England Oxfordshire 51°38′38″N 1°09′58″W / 51.644°N 1.166°W / 51.644; -1.166

Dorchester on Thames is a historic village and civil parish in South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England, located about 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Oxford at the confluence of the River Thames and River Thame.

The village has evidence of prehistoric and Roman settlement and rose to prominence in the 7th century when Birinus established a bishopric there. It is best known for Dorchester Abbey, a former cathedral and now a parish church with significant Norman and Gothic architecture.

Today, Dorchester is noted for its historic character, riverside setting, and role in religious and early English history.