Visitor Information
Abingdon is on the River Thames 63 miles (100km) from its source. It is an attractive destination for a conference, holiday, weekend break, stopping off point on a long journey from Scotland or Northern England to the South. The town is England's oldest, with beautiful heritage buildings and lots or restaurants. The links on this page are to some useful services in the town and area. There is a Diary in the About Abingdon & Events section.
There are several car parks in Abingdon that offer long- and short-stay parking. Disability parking is available at each car park and in other locations such as West St Helen's and more information on access is available from the District Council following the above link or by phoning 01235 520202. Our district's tourism covering the area to the West as far as Wantage and Faringdon, towards Lechlade can be obtained through http://www.visitvale.com/ There is coach parking for most of the year, please check in advance. An interesting programme can be organised for a self-guided tour or Blue Badge guides are available.
Day boats, rowing boats and canoes may be hired from Abingdon Boat Centre, at Abingdon Bridge in season. River cruises are on offer Abingdon to Oxford, Wallingford and on the Thames downstream to pretty villages such as Clifton Hampden and Dorchester-on-Thames. The season is from May to September with two boats per day from Oxford and three return trips each week Wallingford to Abingdon.
http://www.salterssteamers.co.uk/ The passenger boat service runs from Nag's head Island - in effect the pub garden, the opposite side to individual boat hire. Abingdon Marina is available for visiting boat berths as well as the Thames moorings.
Traveline, public transport information 0871 200 2233 www.traveline.info On the map below Stratton Way is now two-way traffic. Abingdon Information Centre is on the bend of Abbey Close. There is a public car park by the open air pool at the end of Abbey Close. Please drive slowly down this narrow, historic lane.
Annual and ongoing events
Gigs and concerts at the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon Abbey
http://www.music-at-the-unicorn.com/
Early May Abingdon Air and Country Show
http://www.abingdonfayre.co.uk/
The Oxfordshire Artists' Festival mid May to early June
http://www.artweeks.org/
September
http://www.abingdon4x4festival.com/
http://www.allfordrally.co.uk/
http://www.heritageopendays.org/
Heritage Open Day is Saturday10th September. The Heritage Boundary Walk commences from the Market Place at 11.30 am on Sunday11 September, leading into the Fun in the Park in the Abbey Grounds at around 2.00 pm. This year over 300 MGs will be at Rye Farm Meadow on 11th September morning.
October
Abingdon Design and Craft Fair in the Abbey buildings
http://abingdoncraftfair.com/
Bed & Breakfast and self-catering accommodation
http://www.visitvale.co.uk/
http://www.abingdonaccommodation.com/
http://www.faringdon.org/.
http://www.wantage.com/
Information on the route of the Thames activities and attractions
www.visitthames.co.uk/abingdon.html
Walk the Thames Path
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath
thames.joncombe.org/thames_abingdon_oxford.html
Farmers and local markets 
www.local-food.net/Oxfordshire/farmersmarkets.asp
Abingdon walks, cycle routes and local information and pictures
http://www.abingdonwalks.co.uk/
http://www.walkinginoxfordshire.co.uk/
Thomas the Tank information and steam weekends
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/
Information on lesser known parts of Abingdon and the Abbey
www.friendsofabingdon.org.uk/history.htm
www.berkshirehistory.com/villages/abingdon.html
Christ's Hospital of Abingdon and Abingdon's almshouses
http://www.ch-of-abingdon.org/
Historic places to visit on the Thames Path
www.visitthames.co.uk/gculture.html
Searching your family history visit The Berkshire Family History site
http://www.berksfhs.org.uk/
There is free access to some useful Berkshire and Oxfordshire records if you call into any library in the county to undertake research - note this is undertaking the work yourself