Abingdon Area Guide

Local History

Abingdon-on-Thames, which is a civil parish and market town, lays claim to the title of being the oldest town in England. It was initially the county town of Berkshire which became a part of Oxfordshire after the 1974 local government reorganisation. Archaeological discoveries, including a ‘stone hand axe’, date back the human occupation of the land to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. The city thrived during the Roman, and after that, the Saxon eras due to the food and trading opportunities provided by the convergence of the River Thames with the River Ock.

Medieval Abingdon presents great religious and cultural significance. The renowned Abingdon Abbey was the 6th richest in Britain, before King Henry the VIII, dissolved all monasteries in 1538. It was maintained by Benedictine monks but had limited interaction with the townspeople who sought independence from the Abbey by erecting a decorative cross at St Helen’s Church, thereby forming the “Fraternity of the Holy Cross.” Its main concerns included attending to the needs of the townsfolk which gradually strengthened the trade relations within and around the city.

Marking the entry of the town are the two bridges built over the Thames and the Ock, which are also listed among the ancient monuments of Britain. The bridge over the Thames alone is more than 550 years old. Even at present, the gardens adorning the riverbanks are a major tourist attraction. The city continued to be a vital link between London, Bristol, the Black Country and Birmingham in 1810 with the arrival of the Wilts and Berks canal. Unfortunately, it was abandoned when the sides of the canal collapsed in 1906, and railways presented much faster transport facilities.

Abingdon Work Centre

The Abingdon Works Centre of the MG Car Club has its origins in the Works Auto Club of the MG car factory located in Abingdon from 1929 until it was regrettably closed by British Leyland in 1980 (immediately after celebrating the 50th anniversary) and MG production stopped in favour of the Triumph TR7 being built at Speke on Merseyside.

Although it is therefore the newest UK Centre it has a great responsibility in covering what for most is accepted as the spiritual home of MG. Consequently many events organised by the Centre are featured around the MG Abingdon history.

Attractions

Amongst its cultural attractions is the Elizabethan-style Unicorn Theatre, created by local volunteers, during the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. The theatre is still active and stages productions ranging from professional to amateur plays. Abingdon also boasts a wealth of varied traditions such as the “Bun-Throwing Ceremony” or the “Midsummer Election” where a mock mayor is elected, and the Ock Street livens up with music and “Morris Dancing”. A tourist may occasionally chance upon a townsman dressed in 18th-century clothing, ringing a hand bell while reading out a list of announcements. Known as a fellow of the Guild of Town Criers the news reading would conclude with the words: “God Save Abingdon.”

East St Helens Street

East St Helens street and the Anchor Public house a scene in summer of the Morris dancers a local tradition found only in Abingdon and local Villages. The Thames runs through Abingdon and on to Oxford.