Thame is over 1,000 years old and today has over 200 Listed Buidlings; it may have had many more if the town had not been the focus for conflict during the 15th Century Civil War with relentless battles and fighting in the streets. Thame’s position on the Aylesbury-Oxford road and its importance as a market brought a Parliamentary garrison to the town in 1643 as part of their plan for controlling Oxford. Thame’s subsequent history has been less turbulent, and it prospered from both agriculture and various trades from the 16th century onwards.
The Elms, positioned at the eastern end of the High Street, is a fine example of an early-19th century Grade II Listed home constructed in a late classical style and housed numerous local agricultural landowner families before the original estate was subdivided; the original grounds and neighbouring barn become two separate plots in the 20th Century.