Summary
An attractive market town situated along the Thames, just downstream from Oxford, Abingdon was historically the county town of Berkshire before officially becoming part of Oxfordshire in 1974. The County Hall, dating back to the 17th century, is a remarkable structure located in the Town Square and features an engaging museum with an observation deck on its roof.
Abingdon developed around an abbey, remnants of which can be seen in various local buildings. Notably, the Abingdon Bridge, which has existed in some form since the 15th century, played a significant role in the town’s expansion during the late Medieval era.
On sunny days, the Thames presents an idyllic setting for relaxation, allowing visitors to observe river traffic, stroll to the charming Abingdon Lock, or take children to the lido and splash park at Abbey Meadow.
1. Abingdon Abbey
Abingdon derives its name from its abbey, which was established in the 7th century by a West Saxon king. The abbey was significant in its early years, supported by a succession of Anglo-Saxon monarchs. However, the Danes devastated it in the 9th century, leading Alfred the Great to seize the abbey shortly thereafter due to unfulfilled expectations from the monks regarding his victorious endeavors against the Danes. The abbey experienced resurgence in the 10th century and flourished until its dissolution during the reign of Henry VIII.
Although the abbey church no longer exists, several monastic buildings remain standing, including the bakehouse, exchequer, the impressive long gallery with timber framing, the gateway, and St John’s hospitium, a hostel for pilgrims. St Nicolas’ Church, described below, was also affiliated with the abbey as a place of worship for laypeople.
2. Abbey Meadow
Situated along the Thames to the south, Abbey Meadow is a delightful park that begins at the end of Abbey Close. Visitors can enjoy a riverside walk, observe the narrowboats and yachts docked along the path, and reach the picturesque Abingdon Lock, complete with a weir and watercourse constructed by the monks of the abbey in the 10th century to power mills.
During the summer months, the park is favored by families for its outdoor heated pool and an interactive water park operating until September. The area is lined with mature trees that provide ample shade, along with a fenced play area for young children and numerous picnic tables for those who bring their own meals.
3. Abingdon County Hall Museum
The County Hall, characterized by its arcaded facade on the southern side of the Town Square, is a Baroque masterpiece completed in 1682 and designed by Christopher Kempster, a student of the famous architect Christopher Wren, who contributed to Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
The arches below serve as a marketplace, and there was a courtroom located on the first floor. After significant renovations between 2010 and 2012, the museum harmoniously combines the original features of the County Hall with a variety of intriguing exhibits focusing on the town’s history and its surrounding area.
Among the museum’s treasures is an MG sports car—the MG car company was headquartered in Abingdon until 1980—alongside an ichthyosaur skeleton and a collection of preserved buns. These buns, dried and varnished, are remnants of the local tradition of bun-throwing ceremonies that took place on special occasions such as the Millennium, Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and royal weddings. An observation deck has also been established around the cupola on the roof, offering the finest views in the town.
4. St Helen’s Church
From the perspective of the Thames, the spire of St Helen’s Church, designated as Grade I, is a prominent feature in Abingdon’s skyline. The earliest elements of this structure date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, with its origins traceable to as early as the 7th century. Most of the stonework, however, originates from the 15th and 16th centuries, showcasing a variety of architectural details.
On the north side of the nave, visitors can find the Lady Chapel, notable for its exquisitely painted ceiling from 1390, which features a depiction of the Tree of Jesse. Near the east end of the north aisle, beautiful monumental brasses from the 1400s to the 1600s can be admired, including a finely crafted panelled altar tomb from 1571. The church’s brass chandeliers date from the 1500s to the 1700s, while its pulpit hails from 1636. The white marble font, introduced during the 19th century, was presented at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In the churchyard, visitors will discover the Long Alley Almshouses from 1446, alongside Twitty’s Almshouses and Brick Alley Almshouses, constructed in 1707 and 1718, respectively.
5. Thames Path
The Thames Path is a National Trail that follows the river from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in Charlton. The pathway primarily utilizes the riverside towpath, which dates back to the Industrial Revolution, presenting beautiful sights around Abingdon. One particularly scenic section is tree-lined, located west of the Abingdon Bridge, offering views of the almshouses and church across the river.
To the east lies an open meadow known as Rye Farm Meadow. Interestingly, despite the river’s west-to-east flow, venturing east from Abingdon leads you upriver, allowing for a journey to Oxford taking approximately four hours. Be sure to divert to Iffley Lock to visit the Church of St Mary, recognized as one of England’s finest examples of Romanesque architecture. Closer to Abingdon, Abingdon Lock (constructed in 1790) is less than a mile away and features a small tourist attraction offering ice creams and beverages from the lock-keeper’s residence.
6. Abingdon Bridge
Prior to the completion of Abingdon Bridge in 1422, the only means of crossing the Thames in Abingdon was by ferry. Constructed from local limestone, this bridge was remarkably built at the request of the townspeople rather than the abbey and was financed by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross guild. The bridge serves as two crossings, connecting the main navigational channel of the Thames at Burford to Nag’s Head Island, and subsequently to the town itself.
Following its construction, the bridge significantly transformed Abingdon’s economic prospects, becoming the sole road crossing over the river for miles. The original 15th-century structure has undergone multiple modifications, initially to accommodate better navigation after the establishment of Abingdon Lock in 1790, and later adjustments in the 19th century and again in 1927 to facilitate increased road traffic. With riverside seating areas, flowerbeds, a tea room, and the respected pub, Nag’s Head Island becomes a charming destination during the summer months and serves as a launching point for boat excursions along the Thames.
7. St Nicolas’ Church
St Nicolas’ Church has stood in Abingdon’s Market Place since 1170, originally constructed on the gateway of the Abbey of St Mary. This church served as a place of worship for the abbey’s lay populace and staff. A notable early congregant was St Edmund of Abingdon (1174-1240), who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Following civil disturbances in 1327, repairs to the south wall were necessary, and the bell tower, among other features, resulted from a significant enlargement in the 15th century.
Visitors should look for the chapel located north of the nave, which houses an exquisite Renaissance monument dedicated to the mill owner John Blacknall and his wife Jane, both of whom succumbed to the plague in 1625. In his will, John established a charitable fund that continues to support the church and less fortunate individuals in the parish.
8. JET, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Close to Abingdon lies the UK’s national laboratory for nuclear fusion research, an intriguing destination for those interested in science. Established in the 1960s on a former airfield, the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy is home to the world’s largest and most powerful tokamak, known as JET (Joint European Torus), which is designed for producing controlled fusion reactions in hot plasma. Numerous significant advances in fusion science and engineering have occurred at this site.
In recent years, the facility has been working on the ITER project, an international fusion initiative in France that represents a scaled-up version of JET. Excitingly, Culham provides free entrance on open evenings, which are held every few weeks on Wednesdays. Visitors will receive an introductory presentation followed by a guided tour of JET and the UK’s own fusion experiment, MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Torus).
9. Harcourt Arboretum
Harcourt Arboretum, situated a short distance past the Culham Science Centre, features Oxfordshire’s most splendid tree collection. Spanning across 150 acres, this arboretum serves as a satellite botanic garden of the University of Oxford and is recognized for its collection of conifers, boasting some of the oldest specimens in the country. Access to the arboretum is available to the public for a nominal fee.
The arboretum occupies the grounds of what was once Nuneham House, which was landscaped in the 19th century to create an inviting entrance for visitors. This area hosts a pinetum featuring monkey puzzle trees and towering redwoods, as well as enchanting bluebell woods, lime woods, ponds, wildflower meadows, and a captivating acer glade that becomes vibrant in autumn. Visitors may also encounter livestock such as Oxford Sandy and Black pigs and Castlemilk Morrit sheep.
10. Pendon Museum
The Pendon Museum has evolved since the 1950s and features immersive, large-scale dioramas that capture the essence of the Vale of the White Horse during the early 20th century. Visitors can admire intricate model railways, detailed village representations, and the lush countryside.
The quality of craftsmanship and the extensive hours devoted to the museum’s creation are truly remarkable. The model locomotives and other rolling stock are entirely handmade at a scale of 1:76, based on photographs and records related to the Great Western Railway and London and South Western Railway trains.
The main exhibition showcases the Vale Scene, with additional displays featuring the Madder Valley Railway and a Dartmoor Scene. The museum operates year-round on weekends, as well as Wednesdays during school holidays and Thursdays throughout August.
11. Millets Farm Centre
Located in the countryside west of Abingdon, Millets Farm Centre serves as both a shopping hub and an engaging family attraction. Visitors can purchase fresh produce at the farm shop, explore a garden centre/nursery, participate in “pick your own” activities spanning 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables, and access various specialty outlets offering beauty treatments, interior design, and quaint weatherboard shepherd huts.
Millets offers captivating attractions, including a falconry center housing over 90 birds of prey, a maize maze, outdoor play areas, an indoor play barn, and a traditional carousel. Additionally, the Animal Walkway lets visitors interact with goats, rheas, horses, alpacas, cows, and sheep across vast paddocks.
12. Thrupp Lake
Thrupp Lake, located on the northern bank of the Thames as it exits Abingdon, has formed from gravel extraction activities over recent decades. Some quarries have been refilled with pulverized fuel ash sourced from Didcot Power Station, while Thrupp Lake and its surrounding bodies of water have transited into a wetland reserve.
A stroll along the mile-long circular path surrounding Thrupp Lake is enjoyable in any season, although winter and spring are particularly magical. The colder months attract an array of overwintering waterfowl, while spring brings gorgeous blossoms along the shore, offering opportunities to spot charming cygnets and a variety of birds, including kingfishers and herons. Otters, having recently made a comeback across rural England, have also appeared along the shores, although patience may be required to catch a glimpse of them.
13. Trips on the Thames
In addition to the renowned Nag’s Head pub, the river island at Abingdon serves as a vibrant destination for Thames activities. Abingdon Bridge Marine offers rental services for diesel boats that can accommodate six to eight people for durations of one hour, half a day, or an entire day. For those preferring to navigate the Thames with their own strength, rowboats are also available for groups of up to five.
The moorings at Abingdon Bridge Marine provide access to Salter’s Steamers, which operates a daily cruise service to Oxford throughout the summer. This upstream journey lasts two hours and features stops at Sandford Lock and Iffley Lock, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenic views of Oxford’s intercollegiate regatta course and the impressive Nuneham House along the way.
14. Bothy Vineyard
The eco-friendly Bothy Vineyard capitalizes on the sandy soils and favorable microclimate of the Vale of White Horse, allowing for an extended ripening period for the vines. The vineyard cultivates cold-climate German grape varieties such as Huxelrube, Bacchus, Findling, and Ortega, alongside red hybrids from Germany, including Rondo, Regent, and Dornfelder.
Due to the climate’s subtle distinctions from German wine regions, Bothy’s crisp whites and complex reds exhibit unique characteristics. Tours commence with a leisurely walk around the property, providing insights into the vineyard’s history and the various factors influencing harvests. This is followed by an explanation of the winemaking process at the winery, culminating in a tasting session accompanied by light snacks. A private tour can be arranged, but casual “drop-in” tours for individuals are available on designated Saturdays during the spring and summer months.
15. Loose Cannon Brewery
Abingdon has a rich brewing history, having housed the Morland Brewery from 1711 until its operations were moved to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after a takeover by Greene King in 1999. The local brewing tradition was revitalized with the establishment of Loose Cannon in 2010, a craft brewery committed to producing high-quality beer without excessive embellishments.
Signature brews include the original Abingdon Bridge, characterized by its copper hue and floral aroma, and Bombshell, known for its citrus notes, crafted solely from pale malts. The brewery hosts open nights, a local favorite, starting at 19:00 on the first Tuesday of each month. Attendees receive a pint glass upon arrival and can sample six to nine different beers while exploring the brewery and conversing with the staff.
