This house, which was built as a medieval hall house, is one of the oldest in Abingdon. Owned by Oxford Preservation Trust, it is one of the best preserved examples of a 15th century dwelling in Oxfordshire. Visitors can see original features including medieval windows and fireplaces and a remarkable domestic wall painting.

Not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Open Saturday 16th September 10am - 4pm

No booking required.

Postcode OX14 5EB 26 East St Helen St

Georgian Grade II listed building now used as a Solicitors office, which has been sympathetically renovated and restored keeping some of its original features.

Our historic Georgian building has featured in many old pictures of Abingdon and can be easily recognised as the outside of the building has hardly changed. Whilst the outside remains the same, the inside has been cleverly restored to keep some of the original features visible. In our boardroom we have a display cabinet containing several items found in the property during restoration. There are also a couple of small areas that have been protected by a frame with one showing the original wall paper used in the room in the late 1700's and the other the plastered wall beneath the wall paper exposing some original hand writing.

Open Saturday 16th September 11am to 3pm

Postcode  OX14 5AL

The Baptist Church and the seventeenth century house adjacent to it, 35 Ock Street, will be open to visitors over Heritage Weekend 2023.

The Church has been recently renovated and presents a surprisingly modern, multi-use interior. It was built 1840-41 on land used as a nonconformist burial ground dating back to the 1650s. Some remains of an earlier chapel building can be seen.

The Church and former minister's house which is now a cafe "35 Ock Street" will be open to view.

Open hours: Saturday only for Heritage Weekend visitors. 10am - 4pm

On Sunday all are welcome to participate in the morning service at the Church from 10.30am (doors open at 10am).

One of Abingdon's iconic buildings, a stunning church, in a beautiful setting. 

There has been a church on the site since the 10th century or earlier. The present church dates from the 13th century but over the subsequent centuries several aisles were added by bequests from local guilds and families so that, unusually, it is now considerably wider than it is long. The panorama of stained glass windows is lovely but the church's most special feature is the very rare ceiling paintings in the 14th century Lady Chapel.

While visiting the Church, don't miss the three sets of almshouses behind it and the Organ Blowing Chamber in the churchyard.

Saturday: 

Church open 10.00am to 5.00pm. 

10.30am, 11.00am, 11.30am & 12.30pm Free guided tours of the church, with an experienced local guide.

10.30am - 12.30pm Refreshments: Delicious cakes, tea and coffee in the south aisle, to raise funds for the church.

3.00 - 4.00pm "The Wondrous Machine: organs and their music over three centuries"  illustrated talk on the history of St Helen’s organ and its musical traditions.

Sunday:

10.30am - 11.30am Join us for our Sunday Eucharist service, open to all,   with refreshments afterwards in South Aisle.

12.30pm - 5.00pm Wander round the church as you will and, from 4.00pm, listen to the choir rehearsing for evensong.

5.30pm - 6.30pm Join us for our contemplative Choral Evensong service 

Visit the historic house and riverside garden, owned by a charity which maintains the house as a place for personal quiet and reflection. 

This year there will be talks about the history of the house by Richard Clarke. 

Also an Art Exhibition by Abingdon Artists and children's art workshops which can be booked via the link below.

Postcode OX14 5EB East St Helen St

Visit the Almshouse site and take a look around the Hall where meetings of this Charity's Board of Governors still take place. We will have historic documents, memorabilia and maps of Abingdon.

This year the major focus is on Christ's Hospital's collection of 17th Century portraits by the Dutch Artist Sampson Strong. Our Archivist will be present on the day to answer your questions on Hospital Hall and the Charity's history.

For over 400 years the 'Hospital Hall' has been the meeting place of the Governors of the Charity. Christ's Hospital now manages all of the Almshouses in Abingdon for the housing of 'in need' persons who have a connection with Abingdon. The display will also include views of the Almshouses by local and other Artists. The Hall is accessible to those with good or limited mobility but unfortunately wheelchair access is not available because of the furniture fitted in the 17th century. There are no toilet facilities on site.

Open Saturday 16th September 10am - 4pm

St. Helens Churchyard OX14 5EJ

Access notes: As this is a listed building, disability access is very limited. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters could make it to the door of the hall, but are unlikely to be able to cross the lip of the doorway. Those with limited walking mobility would be able to step inside. Pushchairs and prams are also unlikely to be able to enter the hall.

Explore these unique and atmospheric medieval buildings and their millstream garden.

The Abbey Buildings were once part of a Benedictine monastery. At its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, St Mary's Abbey was one of the most influential abbeys in England, but it was closed in 1538 by King Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Whilst the Abbey and principal buildings were destroyed, two groups of buildings remain – this range of domestic buildings near the abbey mill stream and the buildings at the abbey gate (St. Nicolas’ Church, the Abbey gateway and part of the Guildhall).

The Abbey Buildings were part of the "service" area of the abbey - the Exchequer where money was collected, the granary, and the lodging-house where visitors stayed. 

The buildings were acquired by the Friends of Abingdon in the mid-1940s and have been restored and cared for by them ever since. 

This year there will be an exhibition about the beautiful "Abingdon Missal" in the Lower Hall. It is a fine example of the creativity that was nurtured and developed by monasteries in the form of illuminated manuscript production. In addition there will be a repeating son et lumiere show in the Unicorn Theatre, which was created in 1953, celebrating 70 Years of Drama. More information on the Festival Programme page.

Open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Postcode OX14 3JB 

Find us at the end of Checker Walk, off Abbey Close.

Access Notes: Lower floor and gardens are accessible to those with limited mobility. The exhibition will be entirely on the lower floors.

The "little church by the gate" was part of the Abbey until the Dissolution. It contains some interesting memorials and architecture. 

Open Saturday 16th September 10am - 4pm