The River Thames
The Thames Path is open to walkers, condition good, muddy in places. Access in the direction of Oxford is from Abbey Close along the millstream on the same side of the river as the town. Down river towards Burcot and Clifton Hampden the path is on the opposite side of Abingdon bridge. The footpath is not for cyclists who can use the more direct Sustrans route 5 between Oxford, Reading, London. For the first time, the entire Thames Path has no stiles.

Conditions of the River Thames
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/  This has information on currents, flood alerts and angling opportunities. Find out about the fishing season and how to report poaching, night fishing, fishing from boats or other issues on the river and its banks. Fishing permits for Abingdon waters are available from us, please bring proof of address each time. Water Keeper for the town of Abingdon is on 07771 795758. Fishing matches include the Mayor of Abingdon's competitions on the Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday at the end of August each year. Visiting club matches are welcomed.
http://www.visitthames.co.uk/ includes campsites, places to stay and events near the River.
Lots of walks to suit all levels of enthusiasm are available with five national trails passing through or close to Abingdon. There is useful information on http://www.abingdonwalks.co.uk/ and all footpaths are listed on County information (as they are for all counties in England). For walks organised by Abingdon members of the Ramblers see the Vale of White Horse branch of http://www.ramblers.org.uk/  These include walks each second and fourth Thursday leaving from Abingdon Market Place at 10.30am..

Accommodation
Places to stay are on-line, websites listed below:
http://www.abingdonaccommodation.com/  Tel: 07921 213365
http://www.visitvale.co.uk/
You can check services, ratings and in some cases vacancies through accommodation providers' websites or use Tourism South East, Visit Britain, Enjoy England. Other bodies that undertake quality assurance inspection include the AA, RAC, Egon Ronay, Relais Routier. Most of the town accommodation is open all year round as the area has a strong national and international conference and business trade as well as people exploring the Thames valley, vale of white horse, Cotswolds and Chiltern hills on holidays and short breaks.  Lists we hold include places appropriate for people working in the area as well as seasonal holiday bed and breakfast or rooms only.  National trails websites for the Thames Path, Ridgeway, Oxfordshire Way, D'Arcy Dalton Way, Cotswold Way have links to accommodation within walking distance or providers who are prepared to pick up walkers by advance arrangement.

We also have a service for you to send away for brochures on accommodation and attractions in other parts of Britain free.

See the Events section and visit our events diary  to find out what's on. To have an event added to the Diary please email us at info@abingdon.gov.uk

Information
Abingdon has free wi-fi access. In  locations near Abingdon town centre visitors can obtain free internet access using your own laptop. One of the first towns to offer this, there are hot spot access points courtesy of many town businesses as well. Computers are available in the library and some other locations for internet access.

Parking in Abingdon
You will find car park maps and information on parking and disability parking spaces on the Vale of White Horse District Council information which covers services in local towns. Two hours free parking is offered in civic pay and display car parks duiring the day. You must collect a ticket and display it.  All public car parks are free after 6pm. The town has a large car park by Abingdon bridge, a multi-storey in the town centre and other civic car parks near Council offices on Abbey Close. Abbey Close spaces are convenient for Abingdon Information Centre, the heritage area, Thames Path, the town's open air pool, Abbey meadows payground, pitch and putt and tennis.

Abingdon Heritage   
There is a town trail map offered all year which can be sent to you electronically. It includes aspects of our unique history as England's oldest town with proof of ancient and continual settlement.  Within a short walking distance a lot can be seen throughout the year but the national heritage open days each September give a glimpse of the hidden aspects of the town and its treasures including the Merchant's House (medieval), the Guildhall and private houses. http://www.abingdonheritage.co.uk/  A modern art and sculpture trail is offered for walkers or for cyclists.

We welcome coach parties. Information staff can make suggestions for an interesting tour to suit any age group. When in Abingdon, three companies now offer day and longer coach trips picking up local people and those on holiday in the area. Barnes run holidays also outings and transport to theatre, exhibitions and concerts with local pick ups throughout the year. Other trips are advertised each week in the Abingdon Herald and summer season trips are offered by Tappins. Ask at Abingdon Information Centre or see the Diary or Abingdon Herald. The more people who book trips well in advance the more we are likely to have them offered direct from town.

Books and gifts
Leaflets on local attractions, stately homes, things to do, are available free from us. Reference copies of maps and ideas for walks are available so please ask. With limited space, reference items are not out on display. A range of interesting books is available to buy. Our two independent bookshops Mostly Books and The Bookstore and other good local shops have a range of maps, walking and cycling tours and river guides. Abingdon memorabilia and pictures of this beautiful town can be purchased nearby so we do not compete with the excellent choice of items in the shops. Below is a selection of our stock.

Cameos of Abingdon very good value at £4.00 and an informative gift for lovers of the town or for visitors. This is a miscellaneous collection of pictures and articles written by Abingdon people. Contributions from clubs and societies, accounts of trade and industry past and present, beautiful photographs.
The Lost Abbey of Abingdon £5 from the town's excellent bookshops or from the Information Centre. This new book looks at the 800-year history of Abingdon Abbey with maps, plans, surveys. It links with an interesting walk for which there are plaques in the town's heritage area.
Time Gentlemen Please - A Brief History of Abingdon £3 sacrifice the cost of a pint for this book viewing Abingdon through its hostelries. Published this December available from us, pubs and town gift and book shops 'as much history as brought about in public houses as the House of Commons' is a useful adult stocking-filler.
Abingdon Museum Trail £1 The entire price of this useful guide is donated to the Museum appeal.
Abingdon-on-Thames History £2 lots of interesting facts to supplement the free leaflet on the town
Ock Street - Remembered - £7.00 - a collection of articles on Ock Street which was an integral part of the community. Trades, professions, businesses, Michaelmas Fair, Flooding, shops, brewery and memories from residents. 
Ock Street Heritage Walk 0.80p  - is a new guide to a walk along one of the main historical streets of Abingdon produced by the Ock Street Heritage Group. 
Pride of Place £5.99  The Story of Abingdon's County Hall written by Peter Gale is an invaluable new reference.
Twelve Walks around Abingdon £3.95 - a book produced by a keen walker on Abingdon and surrounding villages and a DVD - being reprinted 
Aspects of Abingdon's Past Volumes 2, 3, 4  and 5. Sold in aid of St Nicolas' Church. Talks on periods of town history by experts.
Abingdon Essays studies in Local History.  £3.00.
Abingdon Photographic History £8.00
Eat, Drink and Think Local - local food in Abingdon £1.00
Tales from the Thames photographs and anecdotes of the entire river £14.99

Gifts include keyrings, fridge magnets, bookmarks. Good quality MG memorabilia can be found at the MG Car Club to the west of Abingdon town centre or on-line http://www.mgcc.org.uk/  Oswald Couldrey pictures of Abingdon have a dedicated site or please ask.

Information is compiled from public sources and from information passed to Abingdon Visitor and Community Information Centre by third parties. We endeavour to make sure information is complete and accurate but please undertake your own independent checks of accommodation, services and events. Abingdon Town Council does not take responsibility for accommodation accreditation and information provided by other organisations. This is the town's official website. There are some websites such as abingdonuk which may have inaccurate information on our location and services.