Abingdon-on-Thames
Abingdon–on–Thames, a quaint, bustling market town nestled on the river Thames just waiting to be explored, 6 miles south of Oxford.
Steeped in history and dating back to the Saxon era, Abingdon-On-Thames is a rare gem. Holding claim to ‘the oldest, continuously inhabited town in England’, Abingdon is a delight to visit. Stroll around the town and soak in the wealth of architecture, historical treasures, shopping, independent stores and of course the beautiful Thames river.
Abingdon-On-Thames has an intriguing museum housed in an elegant building with stunning rooftop views looking over the Town and beyond. There are also charming places to eat, and attractions to entertain the whole family. With so many places to visit and things to do in Abingdon including; riverside parks, gardens and a choice of leisure facilities including tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, waterside pubs and a Monday farmers market, you will be spoilt for choice.
Make sure you explore the site of the old Abingdon Abbey, which was supposedly founded in 675 by Cissa, viceroy of Centwine or his nephew Hean in honour of the Virgin Mary. Although nothing remains, the old Benedictine Abbey has a fascinating history and is well worth researching.
A few more historic buildings you may want to explore will include:
The Abbey Gateway, St Nicolas Church, Abbey Buildings, Trendell’s Folly, The lost Abbey Trail, St Helen’s Church, Long Alley Almhouse.
Abingdon has a fantastic ceremonial tradition of bun throwing; where local dignitaries throw buns off the roof of the Abingdon Museum for huge crowds of people to catch in celebration specific days. The last occasion was 10th November 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Abingdon has the Monday Charter Market which has a lot of variety but is not a farmers’ market which is each third Friday morning.
There are a number of varied and interesting walks around Abingdon and the River Thames, you can find more information on the Abingdon walk and route map.
Abingdon Abbey Buildings
The remains of the great Abbey of Abingdon, consisting of atmospheric medieval buildings, are the oldest buildings in the town. The Abbey was the 6th richest in England and one of the first to be demolished in the Reformation in 1538. The remaining range was saved in 1944 by the Friends of Abingdon who maintain them; they are now a Scheduled Monument and architecturally Grade 1 Listed.
At the core of the town’s history they make a fascinating visit which includes the 13 century Exchequer, the Long Gallery and the converted Elizabethan style Unicorn Theatre. They are open from May to September or by arrangement. Opening times can be found on the Friends of Abingdon website.
How to Get Here
Bus from Oxford:
X3 – Oxford to Abingdon
X2 – Oxford to Didcot via Abingdon
City13/X13 – John Radcliffe Hospital to Abingdon via Oxford
City35 – Oxford to Abingdon
City4 – Oxford to Abingdon
31 – Oxford to Wantage via Abingdon
Boat:
Salters Steamers transport from Oxford to Abingdon
Cycle:
Abingdon is on the Sustrans national cycle route, with both Radley and Culham railway stations within easy reach.
Where is Abingdon-on-Thames?
How to get to Abingdon-on-Thames
-
Royal Cars
Royal Cars is Oxford's largest taxi company offering all types of work, from local runs to airport tranfers to long-distance pickups and drop offs, weddings and occasionally have crossed the channel.
More info -
City4: Oxford to Abingdon
Bus service 4 connects Oxford with Abingdon, via Botley, Cumnor and Wootton.
More info -
City35: Oxford to Abingdon
Service 35 connects Oxford to Abingdon, via Kennington and Radley,
More info -
City13 & X13: John Radcliffe Hospital to Abingdon via Oxford
The City13 and the X13 services links the JR Hospital with Abingdon via Oxford and Redbridge Park&Ride.
More info
Things to do in Abingdon-on-Thames
Events Search and Views Navigation
June 2022
Beethoven’s Mass in C major
Beethoven Die Weihe des Hauses Overture, Op. 124 Beethoven Ah! perfido, Op. 65* Beethoven Mass in C major, Op. 86 Eilana Lappalainen soprano* Soloists to be announced Crouch End Festival Chorus David Temple chorus director…
Find out more »Speaking Out and Fitting In
A solo show in striking performance poetry and disarming comedy, with flashes of cabaret and burlesque, in which Alice d'Lumiere playfully explores the wonderful, if occasionally counter-intuitive, position of the gender-fluid individual…
Find out more »The OW Lecture. Julian Dowdeswell: Human impacts on Antarctica from historical exploration to modern climate change in conversation with Toby Beaumont
We are delighted to welcome the eminent glaciologist, Julian Dowdeswell, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Cambridge. Julian was Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute from 2002…
Find out more »
