Abingdon City
Abingdon was occupied in prehistoric times by settlers of the Bronze and Iron ages. It was a flourishing town in the Roman period, which in turn gave way to a Saxon settlement. The earliest documents tell of a hamlet called Sevekesham sited at a ford of the Thames. Hean, nephew of King Cissa was granted land for founding a Benedictine monastery called Abbandun (Hill of Ebba) at the same time as his sister Cilla founded the Nunnery of Helnestowe on or near St Helens Church, the principal church in 675AD. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1538, Abingdon Abbey was the 6th richest in Britain.
The Monday market has existed since 1556. The Michaelmas Fair (now known as the Ock Fair) was originally a 'hiring mart' for those seeking employment.
In 1810 the Wilts and Berks canal arrived with Abingdon becoming a key link between such places as Bristol, London, Birmingham and the Black Country. In 1906 it was abandoned as the canal sides collapsed and the railways offered faster transport. The first link to the railway came in 1856 with a branch connection to Culham and subsequently via Radley. The local station closed in 1963.
Abingdon was the county town of Berkshire, becoming part of Oxfordshire after local government re-organisation in 1974.
MG This famous logo became synonymous with fast, sporty two seater cars which were manufactured in Abingdon for 50 years until production ceased in 1980.
Since 1946 a number of scientific establishments have been set up in the area including the Harwell International Business Centre and the JET (Joint European Torus) project at Culham. Many high-tech industries have been drawn to the area alongside local trades such as printing and brewing which continue to prosper alongside.
Two of the main roads into Abingdon cross rivers - the Thames and the Ock - over bridges listed as ancient monuments. The bridge over the Thames is over 550 years old. The Thames has always been important to the town and today is a focal point for many recreational activities. Riverside gardens attract vistors, anglers fill the riverbanks and pleasure cruisers queue to pass through the picturesque lock.
Abingdon is within easy reach of both the M40 and the M4.
Surroundings
There are several racks of local attraction and information leaflets as well as some menus for local pubs and restaurants please feel free to help yourself to these.
Local transport
Buses: - We have a very good bus service into Oxford with buses running every 15 mins these run from the bus stop which is just 50 yards from our drive to the left. On you return from the city centre just ask for the Ox Public House stop on the Oxford Rd. From Oxford there are busses running regularly to London and other parts of the country.
Taxis: - we have several numbers for taxis we have found Top Cabs 01235 537333 to be reliable please remember to confirm charges before you start your journey.
Map of the immediate area (Coming soon)
Immediate areas of interest marked on this map
1. Tesco Express
2. The Boundary House public house sells food
3. Small supermarket and newsagent
4. C of E Church
5. Methodist church
6. Roman Catholic Church
7. Bus stop for Oxford
8. Abingdon College of Further Education
9. Town Centre 7 mins walk
Local Information and attraction
Local Information
Post Office: 25 High St. Tel: 01235 523229
Population: 34,500
Market Days: Monday - open air market
Fire, Police, Ambulance in an emergency dial 999
Fire: Fire HQ Kidlington Tel: 01865 741166
Police: Tel: 01235 555959
Hospitals:
Abingdon Community Hospital (Minor injuries Unit), Marcham Road Tel: 01235 522717
John Radcliffe (Casualty Dept), Headley Way, Headington, Oxford Tel: 01865 741166
Health Centres:
Malt House Surgery, The Charter Building. Tel: 01235 524001
Library: The Charter Tel: 01235 520374 Fax: 01235 532643
Local Newspapers:
Oxford Mail (Daily), Tel: 01865 425450
Oxford Times(Fri), 47 Market Square Tel: 01993 704264
Abingdon Herald(Thu), 5/7 Stert Street Tel: 01235 522388
Local Radio & TV:
Central Television, Unit 9, Windrush Court, Abingdon Tel: 01235 554123
FOX FM, Brush House, Pony Road, Oxford Tel: 01865 748787
BBC Radio Oxford 95.2 FM, 269 Banbury Road, Oxford Tel: 01865 311444
Churches:
St Michael and All Angel's Church
The Church in Abingdon
Recreation, Sport & Leisure :
White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Audlett Drive Tel: 01235 540700
Recreation Grounds: Abbey Grounds, Abbey Meadow Tel: 01235 523328
Football:
Abingdon Town Football Club, Culham Road Tel: 01235 521684
Abingdon United Football Club, Northcourt Road Tel: 01235 520255
Tennis Courts, Abbey Meadow, Abbey Close Tel: 01235 533328
Squash:
Abingdon Squash Club, Northcourt Rod, Abingdon, OX14 1NS Tel: 01235 530374
Swimming Pools:
Indoor, The White Horse Leisure Centre, Audlett Drive Tel: 01235 522806
Golf:
Drayton Park Golf Course, Steventon Road, Drayton Tel: 01235 550607
Frilford Heath Golf Club, Wantage Road, Abingdon Tel: 01865 390864
Local Attractions
The Abbey was demolished by Henry VIII, but a few surviving buildings remain in Thames Street, Checker Walk and Abbey Close. Tel: 01235 525339
Abingdon Museum, The County Hall, Market Place Tel: 01235 523703 (24hr)
Open: Daily 10.30am - 4.00pm. Ring to check Bank Holiday opening times.
Admission: Free (Roof visits adults £1.00, children 50p). Children aged 6 or under are not permitted on the roof. The County Hall, built between 1678 and 1682, was called by Nikolaus Pevsner "the grandest town hall in England". The Museum collection was established in 1919 and houses objects from all periods of Abingdon's history and runs a programme of events and exhibitions.
Kingston Bagpuize House & Garden, Kingston Bagpuize House, Kingston Bagpuize, Oxfordshire Tel: 01865 820259
Beautiful family-owned manor house, originally dating from the 1660s.
Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road, Frilford, Oxfordshire Tel: 01865 391923
Garden centre, maize maze, farm shop, farm zoo, children's play area, restaurant and picnic area.
Milton Manor House - 3 miles to the south. Believed to be designed by Inigo Jones with a Strawberry Hill Gothic Library.
Pendon Museum of Minature Landscape & Transport, Long Wittenham - Recreates in minature the English countryside and railways of the 1930's. Tel: 01865 407365
St Helen's Church, on West St Helen's Street, dates from the 13th century. Its 600 year old painted ceiling is a medieval masterpiece which has been recently restored.
Sutton Courtenay, A pretty village - George Orwell (author of 1984) and Herbert Asquith (Prime Minister 1908-1916) are buried in the local churchyard.
Venn Mill, Garford, A working rural watermill powered by the Childrey brook. Open Apr-Oct, 2nd Sun in month, 10am-5pm
Wittenham Clumps - 5 miles SE. A group of trees visible for many miles above Castle Hill (an iron age fort). Below, on the Thames, lies Thames and Day's lock - scene of the annual Pooh Sticks world championship.
Dorchester Abbey Museum, The Abbey Guest House, Dorchester, OX10 7HH Tel: 01865 340751
Open: Easter Weekend: Good Friday 3.00pm - 5.00pm, Easter Saturday and Monday 11.00am - 5.00pm, Easter Sunday 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Weekends only in April and first half of October. May to September, Tuesday to Saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm; Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Admission: Free
Visitor Facilities: Toilets & car park nearby, gift shop, picnic area, guided tours by arrangement.
Disabled Access: Some disabled access with help.
The museum building dates from the 14th century. The museum is in the grounds of the former Dorchester Abbey, which can be visited.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE AREA
ABINGDON COUNTY HALL
17c town centrepiece with exhibitions. Abingdon
ASHMOLOLEAN MUSEUM
Intrnationally renowned collections of paintings; glass, silver. ceramics. Oxford
BLENHEIM PALACE
One of the grand 'Treasure Houses' of Britain. Woodstock
BODLEIAN LIBRARY|
Great and ancient univeristy library. Oxford
CARFAX TOWER
Spectacular views of the Oxford spires. Oxford
CHRISTCHURCH
Tours of the magnificent and historic college. Oxford
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Internationally acclaimed centre for 20c visual culture. Oxford
MUSEUM OF OXFORD
History/ archaeology,/architecture of Oxford. Oxford
OXFORD STORY
Exhibition and audio visual show. Oxford
OXFORD UNIVERISTY MUSEUM
Univeristy's natural history collection. Oxford
PITT RIVERS MUSEUM
Extensive worldwide collection. Oxford
PUNTING
flat bottomed boat propelled by rod for hire. Oxford
SHELDONIAN THEATRE
1669 Ceremonial Hall of Univeristy. Oxford
UFFINGTON CASTLE, WHITE HORSE AND DRAGON HILL
group of sites lying alongside an old prehistoric route. Nr Wantage
UNIVERISTY OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN
Gardens from 1621 housing over 8000 species. Oxford
Please also visit the great site within Abingdon Town
