Tourism
Abingdon has a rich cultural history with its ancient status in England and with a thriving social scene. The events diary will help you in planning a visit which could include specialist food markets (two in January) sports, live theatre and music, river activities, antiques auctions, MG Car Club and Ford Classic car rallies. An Annual Arts Festival is held each Spring (15th March to 4th April this year) and there is a two-day French Market 23rd and 24th March and Abingdon Contemporary Arts, Design and Craft Fair this April. Abingdon airshow is on Sunday 6th May and the following week Dragon Boat Day on the Thames is great fun - you don't have to be local to enter. The remarkable tradition of the Election of the Mayor of Ock Street takes place in June along with lots of open air events, Swan-upping in July and after a range of Summer activities in September Abingdon hosts Heritage Open weekend. Abingdon Michaelmas Fair is in October and the Design and Craft Fair is held in the Abingdon Abbey buildings in late October. These, and other events, attract people from many countries.
The River Thames, good restaurants and Abingdon's heritage make the town interesting in all seasons. The ancient Abbey of Abingdon is mentioned in the historical tour section of this site. The remaining abbey buildings on Checker Walk house one of the town's theatres and may be booked for weddings, functions, formal parties or arts events. When not in use these very atmospheric buildings are open to the public 2pm to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Please check if you are coming to Abingdon to see heritage buildings as they all vary in opening times.
Abingdon is 64 miles from the source of the Thames, 120 by river to the estuary of the river though only 50 miles from London by road.
Abingdon Information Centre, which is located at Abingdon Town Council offices has a wide range of literature about Abingdon and surrounding areas. Opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and on Saturday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. the office is close to the Abbey Gateway behind St Nicolas Church.
Abingdon County Hall Museum which is normally open seven days a week is now having more gallery space added It will open again in Summer 2012. This famous market hall, an icon of Berkshire historic county for hundreds of years, will in future have the impressive sessions hall and also new exhibition space in the basement and higher floors of the building.
The site of the Old Gaol and Police station is being redeveloped with a restaurant, shops and some housing. This makes the approach to town across Abingdon Bridge quieter, still with some welcoming hotels and restaurants.
Under the About Abingdon section there is a Visitor Information page with useful links to other websites.
http://www.abingdon.com/ is Abingdon, Virginia, USA. It was named after our Abingdon due to the family connection of Martha Washington who came from here. There are links with that area of Virginia - we have the Thames, they have ski resorts.
www.visitoxfordshire.com and lots of other information is on a separate page of visitor information links. We welcome you.