For many years South Oxfordshire towns and villages have been locations for TV crime dramas including Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie.

Midsomer-themed walks were launched in Thame in 2017.

The town has been a long-running backdrop for the detective series, with hotspots including Thame Town Hall as the fictional Causton Town Hall or the Spread Eagle Hotel seen as The Morecroft Hotel.

Thame Town Hall

Thame Town Hall

Before the pandemic, these locations were familiar sights for tourists and TV fans to explore on weekly tours.

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The ITV series, which launched in 1997, first starred John Nettles as DCI Barnaby and he was then replaced in the role by Neil Dudgeon in 2011.

Tony Long, coordinator for the new tour guides, who are all volunteers, said in 2017: "The tours have been in development for several months, and follow on from the original tour which was created by David Dodds of Thame Museum.

Neil Dudgeon promotes Midsomer links with Thame Picture: Thame Town Council

Neil Dudgeon promotes Midsomer links with Thame Picture: Thame Town Council

"The tours are being held under the auspices of 21st Century Thame, an organisation that brings together local businesses, community groups and councils to help keep Thame vibrant and viable as a market town."

Some of the Midsomer Murders episodes have been based on stories written by author Caroline Graham.

Midsomer Murders author Caroline Graham in 2011

Midsomer Murders author Caroline Graham in 2011

Other locations made famous by the show include the Market House, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and the historic Swan and Black Horse.

Thame’s cricket ground and Prebendal House were included as locations film crews have visited.

Mr Long added in 2017: "We hope these tours will add a new facet to tourism in the town, attracting more visitors from the UK and overseas to the historic town of Thame."

Julia McKenzie filming Miss Marple in Dorcheter

Julia McKenzie filming Miss Marple in Dorcheter

Sarah Osborne of Tourism Angles, specialists in Midsomer tourism, said at the time: "Up to 6.5 million people watch Midsomer Murders in the UK and millions more in over 100 countries worldwide.

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"The series is one of the UK’s biggest TV exports, rating in Denmark’s top three and Australia’s top 20.

"People see it on TV and want to come and visit the beautiful towns and villages of Midsomer."