The Heritage Weekend Information Stall will be in the centre of the Market Place for you to pick up trail leaflets and find out more about Open Properties and displays around the town.

10am-4pm Saturday 19th September

10am-3pm Sunday 20th September

Take a look round the varied set of exhibits in the Guildhall this year; all delving into the theme of Working Lives across the years in and around Abingdon.

In the Magistrates Court

Two newly-commissioned videos will be showing throughout the weekend in the Magistrates Court. 

Oral History Video: Ock Street Remembered

Join Nancy on her amazing memory lane "walk" along Ock Street.

Oral History Video: Our Working Lives

The past comes to life as Abingdon people tell the rich stories of their working lives in agriculture, Morlands brewery, the MG Factory, Pavlova Leatherworks, the wartime RAF and Harwell.

In the Roysse Room

Two of the most important workplaces in the town are featured in displays in the Roysse Room. Brewing and printing employed hundreds of people across several centuries. With an accompanying display about the civil engineering projects which gradually improved the lives of those who lived and worked in Abingdon.

Tours of the Building

Guided tours around the other historic rooms will be taking place on Saturday - free to join and no need to book. 

10am-4pm Saturday 19th September

10am-4pm Sunday 20th September

From Agriculture to Atoms: a major exhibition illustrating the vast changes to Abingdon jobs and industries over the past 200 years.

Find out about the people who walked on the same streets as you, (maybe even lived in the same house as you) but had very different working lives.

Experience some of the crafts that people practiced to earn some extra money from home.

10am-1pm Friday 18th September

10am-4pm Saturday 19th September

10am-4pm Sunday 20th September

This year, Abingdon Museum are hosting 'Hwitmearum' - a living history group - in the open area under the arches of the Museum. The group is part of Regia Anglorum and will provide a small encampment with craftspeople and visual displays, including food preparation, woodworking, a scriptorium and armoury.

Saturday 19th September 10am - 4pm

Abingdon at Work: Discover the people who have worked in Abingdon's Parish Church over hundreds of years, including the present day.

Join us:

Saturday 19th September 10am - 4pm for a self-guided quiz, children’s craft activities, visits to the bell tower (2-4pm), a chance to play the organ (2-4pm) and refreshments all day!

Sunday 20 September Sung Eucharist 10.30am, open visiting 12-4pm Choral Evensong 5.30pm.

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

The house and garden is open for Heritage Weekend on Saturday 19th September 10am - 4.30pm

St Eth's Tea in the Garden: Teas, coffees and cakes are available on Saturday 19th between these times: 

10.30-12.30am and 2.00 - 4.00pm 

There will be talks on the history of the house and the working lives of some of the men and women associated with the house at 11am and 2.30pm.

There is an exhibition about our Riverside Garden Project.

Abingdon Traditional Morris will be dancing in the Market Place at 11.30 and again at 14.30.

Abingdon Flower Club will be marking the weekend by making button holes in the market place on Saturday and flower displays in the Roysse Room and Unit 25.

Abingdon Artists have taken the theme of Agriculture to Atoms to heart and have created paintings of working people through the ages.

On Sunday morning 10am-1.00pm vintage local agricultural machinery will be on display in the Market Place.

Every wondered how golf clubs are created? Find out in the foyer of the Guildhall on Saturday.

There are more Open Properties to explore around the town. To get the full list as well as opening times and access details go to our Open Properties page here

On Sunday 20th September there are a variety of guided walks to join. For the full list, walk details and how to sign up please go to our Walks & Talks page here