Abingdon Heritage Open Day
Saturday 11th September 2010
Abingdon Rediscovered
Explore For Free...
England's Oldest Town...
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
(Also Open for Free on Sunday from 2-4 pm.)
Abbey Baptist Church
Built at the sole expense of William Tiptaft in AD 1832 who preached in the chapel for thirty years. The chapel looks much more impressive inside than outside. (Serving Free Tea and Coffee.)
Abingdon Baptist Church & 35 Ock Street
Founded in 1649, it is one of the oldest Baptist Churches in the country. The present building dates from 1841, with the classical facade added in 1881.
35 Ock Street was the minister's house, and on Heritage Day he is back in his old study.
Abingdon School Chapel
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
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.
County Hall
The museum is situated in Abingdon's 17th century County Hall, designed by Christopher Kempster. This is the last chance FOR 2 YEARS to see the County Hall before a major refurbishment mostly financed from the National Lottery.
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.
Number 22
A welcoming house and garden.
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.
(East St Helen Street Continued)
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.
Number 55
Open 10:30-1pm and 2-4pm
A timber-framed and jettied building whose age and original purpose remains a mystery. The current owner, an expert in vernacular architecture, can explain how the house may have been altered over the centuries.
Helensbourne
Riverside Garden Open
Guildhall
Built on the site of St. John's Hospital, part of the Abbey, this building contains rooms of importance in the town’s history. The Roysse Room was originally the common room of the Hospital. In 1563 it was purchased by John Roysse to refound the Abbey School. The Council Chamber was refurbished in the 18th Century and contains important historical portraits. The Bear Room was a meeting place of the Bear Club, a dining club founded in 1767.
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.
Twitty’s Almshouse - founded by Charles Twitty who died in 1706.
Brick Alley Almshouse - erected in 1718 for 18 people.
Old Magistrates Court
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.
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.
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.
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.
Upper Reaches Mill Wheel
The original Abbey water wheel can still be seen in operation in the Millwheel Restaurant.