Abingdon Heritage Open Weekend
Saturday 10th / Sunday 11th September 2011
Abingdon Hear Ye!
Abbey Buildings
Remains of the domestic buildings of the medieval abbey destroyed by Henry VIII and now owned by The Friends of Abingdon.
Of particular note are the 13th century Checker with its imposing chimney, the Long Gallery and the Undercroft. Also the Unicorn Theatre which occupies what is thought to have been the granary.
(Open for Free on Sunday from 2-4 pm.)
Abingdon School Chapel
Saturday From 12 00 to 2.30 - No wheelchair access
The Chapel has windows by the artists Nicholas Mynheer and Louis Davis, a large eagle lectern that bears the date 1694, and memorial plaques for the former pupils and master who fell in the World Wars.
Designs for new windows by Nicholas Mynheer are on display outside.
Carswell School Old Buildings
Saturday From 10 am to 12.00
A school was established on the present Carswell siteiin 1865, designed by Edwin Dolby . It continues today as Carswell County Primary School. Its senior children were moved to form Larkmead School in 1954.
East Saint Helen Street
One of the most famous and attractive streets in the county - Several houses display their story in their windows.
Sketch thanks to John Auger 2010
Kings Head and Bell
The Kings Head and Bell is a traditional coaching inn originally built in 1554. King Charles the 1st used the first floor room to hold a council of war. The room is open on Heritage Day. Open Open Saturday and Sunday.
Other public houses will also display artefacts and pictures:
The Brewery Tap opened in a former brewery building at Morland’s Brewery.
The Broad Face building dates from 1840 but the previous building dated back to 1688.
The Crown and Thistle dates from 1605 and has a fine cobbled courtyard - once the centre of an old coaching inn.
The Old Anchor Inn is a riverside public house (opening dependent on refurbishment completion).
The Punchbowl could date from the 15th Century and ‘the lounge has a 16th Century atmosphere.’
Merchant’s House
A beautiful medieval town house with splendid 16th century wall paintings, a very fine window in the gallery, and carefully tended walled garden - all well restored and cared for by the Oxford Preservation Trust. Open Saturday
St Ethelwold's House
run by a charitable Trust, is an interesting building in the town centre dating back to the 15th century. It has a lovely garden leading down to the River Thames. The House functions as an Open Spiritual Centre and also offers day and residential accommodation for public use. Open Saturday
Helensbourne
Old timber framed house with riverside Garden Open Saturday.
Guildhall
Model railways will be on display in the Abbey Hall. Saturday and Sunday.
Long Alley Almshouse
Long Alley - built in 1446 for elderly people by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross, one of the two medieval guilds of St. Helen’s Church.
Christ’s Hospital Hall is open. This panelled meeting hall is lined with
interesting portraits and contains a Jacobean oak table. Saturday and
Sunday.
Twitty’s Almshouse - founded by Charles Twitty who died in 1706.
Brick Alley Almshouse - erected in 1718 for 18 people.
Old Magistrates Court
Saturday From 1.00 to 4.00 pm
Since the closure of the courts in 1999 the building is now used by the Abingdon Music Centre. The magistrates bench and dock are in full view, and there will be information about the work of the music centre.
St Michael’s Church
Built by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1867 when the Anglican movement was at its height, and recently re-ordered, with the addition of a prayer labyrinth based on a design from Abingdon Abbey. Saturday
St Nicolas Church
One of the oldest buildings in the town, survives from the Great Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary at Abingdon. This small church, built for the lay servants and tenants of the Abbey, continues to flourish to the present day. Saturday
St Helen’s Church
St Helen's Church, the principal parish church of Abingdon, was first mentioned in 995. The present church dates from the 13th century and was built to serve the townsfolk of Abingdon. In the 15th and 16th centuries the church was enlarged and there are now five aisles - it is the second widest church in England and is wider than it is long. The beautiful painted ceiling dates from the end of the 14th century. Saturday
Trinity Church
Opened in 1875, it has a 128 ft high spire rivalling St Helen's, and a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to John Creemer Clarke by his children. Access restricted at times due to weddings during the day. Saturday