Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
aaaarrgh Says: Behind St Helens Church are some splendid almshouses which were built to house some of Abingdon's old and poor. Long Alley Almshouses are incredible and got their name for the obvious reason that they are looooooonng and have a splendid covered walkway across the front,...
St Helens Church ~ one of the widest in England
aaaarrgh Says: St Helens Church, with its tall spire, is hard to miss on the skyline. With five aisles it is also the second widest church in England and is wider than it is long. The current church first appeared in the late 1100's and the fifth and final aisle was completed in the...
Museum Roof for an aerial view
aaaarrgh Says: Every Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, the roof of Abingdon Town Hall is open to the public. There are great views across the town to the Oxfordshire countryside and River Thames.Admission is 1 GBP for adults and children go free. Pay at the counter in the Museum on...
Abingdon Museum - show us yer buns!!
aaaarrgh Says: It is not recommended you ask English women to see their baps, unless they are very good friends. A slap in the face often offends :-)However, if you ask the nice ladies at Abingdon Museum to show you their buns, they will be delighted to do so. They will take you across the...
Tdiver Says: Close to the centre of town,so easy to pop into and get some information and on the way to the Abbey grounds.Open everyday from April to October,November to March closed on Sundays.
Michaelmas(Ock) and Runaway Fairs.
Tdiver Says: Both in October the Michaelmas Fair was a hiring fair when workers sold themselves into a years work bond.The Runaway Fair a week later was when workers who had runaway from hard masters would re-sell themselves.Link here to last years Michaemas FairAbingdon fair 2006Web...
Tdiver Says: The monastery founded in 670 A.D. at Abbandun (Hill of Ebba) was moved to the present site in 695 A.D. In the Domesday book of 1086 it states that the Abbot of Abingdon was only second in landholdings in Berkshire after the King.Under Aethelwold and Abbot Faritivs it became...
Tdiver Says: The Hospitium or guesthouse originally built in 1130,subsequently became the town's council chambers and was altered in 1731.Sorry my pictures don't do it justice.
Long Alley,Twitty's and Brick Alley Almshouses.
Tdiver Says: Long Alley is definately the best of the three Almshouses.Built in 1446 by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross,the cloistered walk was added in 1605 and the Lantern in 1707.Depictions from the bible adorn the outside of the cloister,above the gates.Christ's Hospital took over...
Tdiver Says: Parts of the building date back to the 13th century but it is believed that 6th-7th century foundations lie underneath.When the townsfolk revolted against the Abbey in 1327 it was their rallying point and the bells their call to action.In the surrounding grounds are the...
Tdiver Says: Years ago only the elite burgesses were allowed to vote for the Mayor,so the townsfolk in 1700 decided to elect their own mock mayor to lead the Ock street Morris dancers.On the nearest saturday to the summer solstice they meet once again to carry on the tradition.
Tdiver Says: Didn't get a chance to look in,in the 2 hours i had in town but looks an interesting place to visit.
80 Opinions
41 Opinions
The Blue Boar.: You won't feel down in here.
Tdiver Says: Great looking pub from the outside and found it surprisingly modern inside.Check out the link below for lots more info.Blue Boar
The Nags Head.: In the middle of the river.
Tdiver Says: Originally 3 cottages built in the 16th century,it was first licenced in 1856.Situated on an island in the middle of the river Thames.For more info check the link below.Nags Head
Kings Head and Bell.: Lovely old pub.
Tdiver Says: Great old pub built in 1554,which only gets better when you walk inside.Music sometimes.Nice old photo at this link belowPicture
The Black Swan.: Great for viewing.
Tdiver Says: Looks old from the outside but modernish inside with some big plasma screens.I'm sure Bart won't be outside after Christmas is over,check the photo.For more info checkout the link below.Black Swan
Tdiver Says: If you pop into the tourist information office then there is a free cycle route map you can pick up or try the link below.4 cycle shops in town,2 in Ock street,1 in Vine yard the last in Bury street.
Tdiver Says: If you're stopping at Abingdon then you're probably going to use here,so to ask about mooring and stuff.
Helpfulness
Abingdon Lock and weir has existed north of the town since the 1780's. The weir was designed to control the flow of the River Thames and the lock was built later to allow boats to pass easily.
For the first 6 months of my life I lived in a boat opposite Abingdon Lock.
It is a pleasant walk from the town centre, less than a mile away. You can either walk through the old Abbey grounds along the mill race, or directly along the bank of the Thames from the 500 year old bridge.
Today (and for the last 30 years or so) the lock-keeper sells ice creams and drinks from the front door of his house. So it is fun to stay for a while and watch the pleasure boats pass through the lock.
Written May 2, 2005
Favorite thing: Sadly England is losing its pubs and here are 2 more.
The Beehive on the corner of Stert street and Broad street now a restaurant and the Barley Mow on the corner of Lombard street and West St.Helens street,now an office.
Written Jan 22, 2007
Sponsored Links
Abingdon - more people should visit here!!
Famous for being the town where aaaarrgh was born, way way back in the mists of the time. Abingdon really is a very nice historic town. Apparently it has 3000 years of history, the longest...
Abingdon, Berkshire or Oxfordshire.
As the title said,Berkshire or Oxfordshire.Up until 1867 it was the County town of Berkshire but under local government reshuffles it was moved into Oxfordshire in 1974.Reading became the new County...
Early one Saturday we drove up to Oxfordshire to have a look at a car we wanted to buy. The car had been describes as 'immaculate' by the current owner, and it sounded like exactly what we were after,...
Build your own Abingdon-on-Thames page
Sponsored Links
Comments