Archive for category: Where to Go Shop, Eat & Drink

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Peachcroft

If you are in a hurry and need to get some essentials sorted out, the Peachcroft Shopping Area is a real help.  With ample free parking, and shops all close together, this is one of the most convenient hubs in the town.  The Christian Centre coffee shop has a play area for kids if you need a short break, or on sunny days there is the park opposite.  There’s a post box, cash machine, duty chemist and a convenience store.

You can find Peachcroft shops by going up Oxford Road, turning right at the large roundabout at the bottom of Lodge Hill and then second right into Peachcroft Road and down to the end.

  • Budgens – open until 10pm
  • Creations
  • Saturn Fitness
  • The College Oak
  • Duty Chemist
  • Chinese takeaway
  • Smarts Fish and Chip and varied takeaway
  • Off licence
  • Beans & Blends cafe

Fairacres

Fairacres is a retail and business park conveniently a mile West of the town centre.

Opposite is the Oxford Abingdon Hotel (formerly The Four Pillars),a large superstore and a wine shop. There is a walk from the town centre along the Ock.

Abingdon-onThames is one of 63 towns in England with special conservation status. Due to the historic nature of town buildings, the centre and river area has small independent shops with large outlets here at Fairacres and the roads nearby.

Ock Street

Ock Street runs to the West of the High Street parallel with the River Ock. The name Ock is the middle english word for a salmon. The river with its Ock River Walk are still a haven for wildlife.

Independent businesses along Ock Street include a computer training centre with internet access, an independent builders’ merchant, food outlets such as a sandwich shop, six takeaway food places, dentists. The street ends at the popular White Horse public house.

View the map to see the links from Ock Street to a walk to the Abingdon School area and Albert Park. Note that Park Road and the area nearby is Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon which requires permission to park cars.

Ock Street and the A415 West runs into Marcham Road where you will find the town’s Police Station, Abingdon Community Hospital and a health centre, food outlets, hotels and bed and breakfasts and Fairacres retail park. Abingdon Business Park is just off Marcham Road.

Some of these businesses are not in the main shopping directory so explore or see website information.

High Street

This ancient street links the two old market areas of the town: the Market Place at the eastern end and The Square at the western end, now the home of the War Memorial. It’s the place to come to browse local properties for sale or to get financial advice, but also has some lively pubs, including locally-owned “The Grapes” with good sports coverage, and The Narrows, former name of the spot where the buildings stood further forward, the name revived for the new Wetherspoons pub which was opened in 2013.

  • Outdoor Traders
  • Abingdon Sports
  • The Grapes
  • The Narrows
  • Café Aroma
  • “Olives” Restaurant
  • HSBC
  • Andrews Estate Agents
  • Halifax Building Society
  • Helen & Douglas House
  • Challenors Estate Agents
  • Davis Tate Estate Agents
  • A Plan Insurance
  • Acreedo Tattoos
  • Co-op Funeralcare
  • William Hill
  • Chaba Thai Restaurant
  • Spar
St Helens

St Helens

The St Helen’s quarter forms the heritage heartland of the town, with views of St Helens spire as you walk down West St Helen Street and of the County Hall as you return via East St Helen Street. The medieval merchant houses on East St Helen Street form one of the loveliest streets in the country, especially seen from the County Hall roof. They are described in more detail in the history section of this website. Amongst the ancient vernacular architecture you will also find great pubs like The Anchor looking over the Thames, and the Kings Head and Bell where cavaliers and roundheads planned their battle tactics. Add a little indulgence to your visit – there’s jewellery at Frend and Co or Belindas Beauty Box, or cakes and croissants at Patisserie Pascal, not to mention a vintage afternoon tea at Rosies Tea Room!

Stert Street

Independent Shops for Great Browsing
Stert Street is lined with quaint old buildings leading up to the church tower of St Nicolas on the Market Place. There’s a quick route through from the Market Place at one end and just a few yards from the Charter Car Park at the other. Also handy if you have parked in any of the Abbey Close Car Parks.

Some of our best independents are situated here including Mostly Books and Added Ingredients who both hold a myriad of items in stock to satisfy even the most demanding literary and culinary tastes, and there is plenty of further browsing to be had at Dream Doors, The Finishing Touch, and Badgers Menswear. One of our two town guitar shops is here too.

Bath Street & The Square

Bath Street & The Square

Just a step through from the Bury Street main shopping area is the quieter Bath Street with art, antiques, unusual gifts. Many women and men buying for women head for their “destination” store and come to town for this street’s specialities. Whether you’re a dressmaker or quilter after a special fabric in Masons or when it’s time to top up your wardrobe at Eileen’s, Pure Marie or the Shoe Shop, this is a street with quality merchandise and great service.

Easily reached from the Charter car park..there’s great coffee at Salinas and on Tapas Nights at the Lounge Cafe, the sound of flamenco guitar brings a little continental style!

The Square at the High Street end of Bath Street is used for events, as distinct from the Market Place, notably at the time of Abingdon Fair, for the Act of Remembrance on 11th November and Remembrance Day, during Christmas shopping events.

Bury Street

Bury Street

Bury Street is Abingdon’s pedestrianised area with our largest shops. The refurbushment makeover which was completed in 2013 has made the street feel spacious and light, and a new larger New Look store has now opened right in the middle. It’s also a great place to find cards, books, gifts, make-up, toiletries and perfume, jewellery, and health foods. To shop in Bury Street the closest parking is in the Charter multi-storey found by turning right off Stert Street but make sure you move the car if you are staying on to use Abingdon’s excellent restaurants in the evening as the car park gates are locked at 7.30pm.

Boots

Dorothy Perkins

The Bookstore

Superdrug

The Gift Centre

H Samuel

Santander

Thomson Travel

Specsavers

Greggs

 Parsons

Costa Coffee

The Community Shop

Co-op

Poundland

Hallmark Cards

Holland & Barrett

New Look

The Cutting Bar

Timpsons

Thomas Cook

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