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Abingdon County Hall Museum

Abingdon County Hall Museum
About

Dominating Abingdon’s Market Place since the late 17th century, the County Hall is a striking Baroque landmark designed by Christopher Kempster, a protégé of Sir Christopher Wren. Built between 1678 and 1682, it originally housed the Berkshire Assizes in a grand courtroom raised above open arches that sheltered the town’s market. Since 1919 it has served as a museum, and following a major refurbishment in 2012, the Abingdon County Hall Museum now tells the story of the town from the Stone Age to the present. Displays range from archaeological finds and historic costumes to the celebrated bun‑throwing tradition, with the top floor dedicated to fossils and local treasures. In the basement, the restored Crossley gas engine recalls the town’s industrial heritage. Visitors can also climb to the rooftop for panoramic views over Abingdon and the Thames Valley, making the museum both a cultural highlight and a gateway to the area’s rich history.

Oxford United Kingdom
Location

Abingdon County Hall Museum is located in the Market Place in the historic town of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, with the postcode OX14 3HG. Housed in a magnificent Baroque building completed in 1682 by Christopher Kempster, a colleague of Sir Christopher Wren, the Grade I listed County Hall has served various civic roles including courthouse, ballroom, and market house before becoming a museum in 1920. The museum showcases over 6,000 years of local history through diverse exhibits ranging from Stone Age tools and Roman artefacts to Saxon weapons and medieval masonry, reflecting Abingdon's significance as England’s oldest continually inhabited town. Visitors can enjoy changing exhibitions, craft activities, and panoramic views of the town and South Oxfordshire countryside from the rooftop terrace. The town center offers charming streets, local shops, cafes, and is well connected by bus routes to Oxford and surrounding areas, making the museum an accessible and enriching destination for heritage enthusiasts and families alike.

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