Abingdon - the oldest town in Britain and other Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Abingdon-on-Thames is 6 miles south of Oxford and has a quite fabulous history. It is thought to have had a settlement on the same site for over 3000 years, making it the oldest town in Britain!

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The famous MG sports cars were made in Abingdon until 1980.

Abingdon Town Hall is quite tremendous. It dominates the town centre and the Market Square. Abingdon Museum is housed in the Town Hall and open 7 days a week.

The Monday Market has taken place in (you've guessed it) the Market Place every week since 1556!!

Abingdon was also the site for the first monastery in Britain (C7th), Abingdon Abbey, which was destroyed by King Henry VIII. There is now a park on the site.

The towns two main churches, St Nicholas's and St Helen's, are great. Next to St Nicholas's is a grand C15th archway which leads to the Abbey Gardens. St Helen's Church is the second widest church in England. Next door are some ancient Almshouses, dating from the mid C15th.

Near the bridge over the River Thames is the ancient Exchequer Building, which often holds exhibitions and events. It has a unique medieval C13th chimney and a C15th long gallery.

If you fancy a walk, stroll through the Abbey gardens until you get to %Abingdon Locks%, then walk back along the Thames.

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Address: Abingdon-on-Thames
Directions: 6 miles south of Oxford, can be reached by car, bus or boat. Arrive via A34 from Oxford or M4.
Website: http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/

South Oxfordshire is controlled by the Vale of the White Horse Council. You may see their logo around the area, which looks more like an abstract white dragon. Actually, this is the ancient 'White Horse'.

The real White Horse is a 374 foot long carving into the chalk hills of the Berkshire Downs (don't worry, they are in Oxfordshire!!). The White Horse is by far the oldest and most dramatic hill carving in Britain. It is located near the ancient Ridgeway Path which travels 80 miles across Southern England. The White Horse is believed to be over 3000 years old - there are a number of theories why it might have been created. Others believe it was carved in the 9th century AD. The horse is made from a trench filled with fresh white chalk, which has to be cleaned and renewed every year.

The 'horse' can be seen for miles. If you look hard you will see it from the London to South Wales railway. The White Horse Hill is 800 feet high, the highest point in the area.

Nextdoor is an Iron Age hill fort with its circle of ditches and mounds.

A mile west along the Ridgeway is Wayland Smithy long barrow, which is a Neolithic burial chamber. This is 5700 years old!! Eight bodies were found in here.

Also nearby is the village of Uffington with its unusual eight-sides church tower. The nearest town is Wantage, which is pleasant with a big market square. King Alfred the Great of Wessex was born here in 849 AD.

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Address: 1½ miles south of Uffington
Directions: Drive to Wantage and follow the B4507 road west. You will then need to take a turning on the left up the steep hill. There is free carparking about half a mile from the fort and a small area for disabled and elderly drivers much closer.
Website: http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/white-horse.htm

This incredible country house, Blenheim Palace, is easily one of England's top "Must See" attractions. You could easily spend an entire day here.

John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, was given this site after winning a battle against the French in 1704! The Queen had this grand palace built for him. Take a walk to the Column of Victory (in the park) which has the whole history (and legal blurb) written all over it!! Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, was born at Blenheim in 1875.

Blenheim's architect was John Vanbrugh. The incredible house reminds me very much of Versailles, or other large palaces of that period. Absolutely enormous. The heating bill must be frightening :-)

It also has vast landscaped gardens with a lake. Mainly kept in trim by a team of woolly lawnmowers :-) The grounds were designed by the famous landscape designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the English Landscape tradition - which means it is meant to look 'natural' in a romantic way, but really it is not natural at all!

Check the website for a brief history, opening times, admission prices and directions to get there. In 2005 adult tickets were 13.50 GBP for house and grounds, or 8 GBP for the extensive grounds and gardens only.

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Phone: +44 1993 811091
Address: Woodstock, 8 miles northwest of Oxford
Directions: Follow main road from Oxford signposted for Woodstock or catch the no.20 bus. Blenheim is well signposted from the A34.
Website: http://www.blenheimpalace.com/

Henley is nowadays a large picturesque town on the Thames famous for its boating regatta (and producing London Mayor, Boris Johnson).

In 1997 it opened a brand new museum, designed by top architect David Chipperfield. The "River and Rowing Museum", close to the railway station, exceeded my expectations. The museum has (1) a large gallery dedicated to the history of boating, rowing boats and rowing (2) an equally large gallery devoted to the River Thames (3) a smaller gallery all about the history of Henley. In addition there are temporary exhibitions of art, a large shop and a pleasant cafe/restaurant. Admission prices (2009) are £7 for adults and £5 for children and concessions. The tickets can be re-used for 12 months!

I am not a great follower of rowing but, all the same, I found the exhibits and information fascinating. Amongst many things, the museum has one of the boats from the first ever Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race and the hi-tech boat used by the British Olympic team when they won their gold medal in 2000. There is lots of stuff for children, many buttons to press, moving exhibits and exhibtions about children's books such as "Wind in the Willows".

Henley the town is worth a walk around, especially after finding out about its history. The town church is very pretty, as is the main street too!

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Phone: 01491 415600
Address: Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames
Directions: Close to the railway station. If arriving by car from London take the first turing on the left after crossing the river. The Rowing Museum is a few hundred metres south of the river bridge on the west bank.
Website: http://www.rrm.co.uk/
Other Contact: museum@rrm.co.uk

Wallingford is a small town on the River Thames, between Abingdon and Henley. Its streets follow the ancient town plan of the Saxons, who settled here in the 8th century.

Until Oliver Cromwell destroyed it, the town had a massive Castle, which was the last to fall in the English Civil War. You can follow the history of Wallingford at the town Museum, on the High Street (Adults 2 GBP, open every afternoon till 5pm).

The Tourist Information Office can be found in the old Market Hall, next to the Market Place and St Mary's Church. Get the excellent free guide here.

There are three remaining churches. St Leonards dates back to Saxon times. St Peter's is a really simple mid C18th church, with a stained glass window designed by William Morris.

All-in-all, a pleasant town to stop to look around, with some nice pubs and river walks.

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Phone: 01491 826972
Address: Wallingford
Directions: On the River Thames between Henley and Abingdon/Oxford.
Website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk