Archives
Borough of Abingdon archives
Researchers interested in access to the borough and civic archives of the town can gain this by appointment. Please telephone (01235) 522642 with details of your enquiry and to make an appointment. The Honorary Archivist is currently available on Thursdays and notice is normally required. Email archivist@abingdon.gov.uk
Abingdon has a distinguished history in the County of Berkshire, including being county town from shortly after the time of the Borough Charter in 1556 until 1869.
Records useful for genealogy and family research are available through Oxfordshire Studies and the Berkshire Record Office. Free access can be obtained to many on-line resources through your local library. Call at Abingdon Library. The service of Abingdon Town Council is particularly for people who know they need information from the Borough of Abingdon and town civic archives.
Historical Tour
Introduction
Abingdon is a Market town with its current prosperity based on commercial, academic and scientific developments and the attractions of a location on the River Thames.
The historic Monday Market takes place in the Market Place. It was established well before 1328 and with the Farmers' Market (which is every third Friday in the month), the the town's markets continue to thrive.
The traditions of the past are very much alive in Abingdon, through its Annual Michaelmas Fair and Runaway Fair a week later and its custom of Bun Throwing from the roof of the magnificent 17th Century County Hall to celebrate important events. The most recent bunthrowing took place to celebrate the Royal Wedding in April 2011.
There are two Morris teams in Abingdon which continue the long tradition of Morris dancing. Abingdon was the proud home of MG sports car and remains the home of the MG Car Club. There is a St George's Day rally and two other MG events this summer.
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Abingdon has a great variety and quality of creative, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic activities as well other organisations providing life skills and social support and leisure. There are many fine buildings, the riverside with its historic wharf, formal parks and natural areas. The Old County Hall houses the museum which offers free admission to many of its exhibitions throughout the year. The Museum is closed at present as a major building improvement is taking place. It is due to re-open in spring 2012.
Abingdon's first twin town was Argentan in France, and is also twinned with Sint-Niklaas (Belgium) in 1967, Schongau (Germany) in 1970 and Lucca (Italy) in 1972.
There are also close connections Colmar in France which is twinned with the Vale of White Horse District Council.
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The town of Abingdon is moving forward. It has trebled in size since the 1960s but retains its distinctive character. New developments have brought and continue to bring change, but also opportunities. These opportunities combine with new shops, commerce and industries to make Abingdon an attractive, lively and modern town in which to live and work.
Abingdon Museum
The centre of the town is dominated by the County Hall built between 1678 and 1682 by Christopher Kempster of Burford. It is one of the finest examples of the architectural style of Christopher Wren. The cellars were used as a warehouse, the lower colonnade as a market - and the upper floor as a Courtroom. Nowadays this building is home to the town museum.
Please click 'Museum' button above for more information about the Museum. http://www.abingdonmuseumfriends.org.uk/ hold events and help with talks and the outreach programme to schools and interested groups during 2011 whilst access improvements are being made to the building. The building is closed to visitors and it is expected to open again by May 2012.
To the right of the Abbey Gateway, in Roysse Court, are the Guildhall and its cluster of historic buildings. One of these buildings housed a school re-established by John Roysse in 1563; others served as St John’s Hospital for travellers and the poor. The Council Chamber of 1731 and the Roysse Room are of particular interest. On view in the Guildhall are many paintings and the Corporation Plate. Buildings and civic treasures may be seen during the Heritage Open Day in September or by arrangement with the Guildhall office (entrance off Abbey Close, telephone 01235 524085).
Next to Roysse Court is the Crown and Thistle, an old coaching inn dating from 1605. Its name commemorates the union of England and Scotland under James I. At the bottom of Bridge Street is the Old Gaol, built in 1811 by Napoleonic prisoners of war. It housed all prisoners for the County of Berkshire for 56 years. In 1874 it was sold to a corn merchant who used it as his store for almost a hundred years. Facing the Old Gaol is Thames Street at the far end of which is the narrow entrance to the few surviving buildings of the Old Abbey. The first room was once the Abbey Granary. Beyond this are the Checker, a fine 13th century room, and the Long Gallery with its splendid oak beamed roof. These buildings are open to the public at various times throughout the year.
The Upper Reaches Hotel, by Abingdon Bridge in Bridge Street, was built on the site of the monastic watermill. The stream to bring water from the Thames to the mill was dug by the monks of Abingdon Abbey in the 10th century. Corn was ground there almost continually up until 1967. The watermill can still be seen as a feature of the hotel restaurant.
Abingdon Bridge is nearly 590 years old and is really three bridges linked together: Abingdon Bridge proper (nearest the town, with its 15th century arches spanning the backwater), Burford Bridge (over the main stream of the Thames , the name being a corruption of Borough Ford Bridge), and Maud Hales Bridge (over the marshy ground to the south). The first two bridges were built by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross, a medieval guild, and linked to Culham Bridge by a raised causeway still used as a footpath today. Hales Bridge is an example of 15th century flood arches erected and named after William and Maud Hales in 1430. The cricket ground nearby also bears this name.
From the rear of the County Hall running towards the river is East Saint Helen Street, containing fine examples of Abingdon’s domestic architecture from the 15th century onwards. Framed at its end is the imposing tower and spire of Saint Helen’s Church. Dating back to the 10th century, the church was enlarged during the next three centuries as Abingdon grew and prospered. Now wider than it is long, its features include a 200 year old candelabra, the tomb of John Roysse,