Abingdon-on-Thames
About Abingdon-on-Thames
Welcome to the Abingdon-on-Thames edition of The Oxford Magazine.
Located on the River Thames, a few miles downriver from Oxford, and famous for its Bun-Throwing, a unique tradition for celebrating major royal occasions which dates back over 250 years, Abingdon is a large, thriving town with some very imposing architecture in its centre.
Designed by a protégé of Sir Christopher Wren, Abingdon County Hall is very grand, with tall arcades that would have provided a sophisticated space for markets and meetings. It was built as a county hall for Berkshire between 1678 and 1683, and it boasts fine views of the the market square from the rooftop.
Abingdon Bridge has spanned the River Thames since 1416, despite needing running repairs down the centuries. The defunct Abingdon Abbey is enclosed in a lovely park in the town and, although the abbey church is long gone, you can still identify the monastic buildings, including the Long Gallery, an evocative half-timbered hall.
Local news & stories
Abbey Meadow outdoor pool’s future secured despite spiralling energy costs
Families will be able to enjoy the outdoor pool and splash pad in Abingdon for the foreseable future even though running costs like oil to heat the pool have more than doubled.
Nearly £600k allocated towards a new pavilion in Kingston Bagpuize
The parish council applied for the support fund to build the new facility, which is expected to cost £635,000. The remainder of the funds for the building will be met by the parish council.
Whittard of Chelsea moves headquarters to Milton Park
Prestigious tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea has relocated its headquarters to Milton Park, a business, science and technology community in Oxfordshire.
Milton Park team wins equivalent of a landscaping ‘Oscar’
The team working on its green spaces won the coveted Principal Award in the Ground Maintenance – Limited Public Access category at the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) Awards.
School House: A superb modern home set in a mature rural setting
Thoroughly refurbished and in-part re-built with an oak frame to create a more contemporary and energy-efficient home with exceptional spaces.
Council leaders issue statement to mark World Homelessness Day on 10 October
Leaders of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, Councillors Sue Cooper and Emily Smith, have issued a joint statement to mark World Homelessness Day on 10 October.
AJ Bell Women’s Tour cycling race is coming to Oxfordshire on Monday
Around 100 pro-cyclists – accompanied by support vehicles – will race from Bicester, continuing through Oxford and Abingdon, to the finish in Banbury.
National Space Strategy launches from Harwell Space Cluster
The strategy sets the government’s priorities for this high-growth sector, with a vision to unlock the UK’s space industry, boost private investment, and capitalise on unique UK strengths.
Breaking-ground for National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) at Harwell
Professor Sir Peter Knight, Chair of the National Quantum Technology Programme (NQTP)’s Strategy Advisory Board, led the formal breaking-ground ceremony at the site.
Road closure details for Women’s Tour cycling race in Oxfordshire
Road restrictions will be in place at the start point on Bicester’s Sheep Street and Market Square. There will then be rolling road closures along the route from approximately 11.00am.
