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Towers in Abingdon
(Part of the Old North Berks Branch)

Hung for full-circle ringing

Abingdon St. Helen (10) 16-0-0
This church was built for the citizens of the town who were not associated with the great Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary at Abingdon which thrived under St Ethelwold, an Anglo-Saxon abbot, from 953 to 963AD.

Abingdon St. Nicolas (6) 7-1-18
This church was built for the lay servants and tenants of the abbey shortly after the Norman Conquest. It was built at the Gateway to the Abbey which still stands, although the abbey church used by the monks was destroyed after the abbey surrendered to King Henry VIII in 1538.

Chimes
ABINGDON St. Michael (3) 2-1-8; OS Ref. SU 492973

There is one band of ringers for both St.Helen and St.Nicolas, with their own website for latest information and more history.

Travel Information for Abingdon

Public Transport:
The nearest railway stations are in Oxford or Didcot. Frequent Stagecoach buses serve Abingdon; they stop near the old town hall, just across the square from St. Nicolas church.

By car Parking in the town centre is very difficult. Use the Public Car Parks in central Abingdon. For St.Helen's, use the ones on both sides of the A415 just across the mediæval bridge over the Thames dating from 1416, or the nearer Car Park just off West St.Helen Street; both of these have public pay toilets. For St. Nicolas use the Car Park near the old Abbey buildings and modern Vale of the White Horse District Council Offices. Car Parks are usually free after about 6.30pm.

Eating Places:

There are plenty of pubs and coffee shops in Abingdon. In 2003 the ringers had coffee on a Sunday morning at "The Crown and Thistle" near the bridge. The nearest pub to St.Helen's is "The Wharf" beside the River Thames. The nearest to St. Nicolas is "The Punch Bowl".

Local points of interest for non ringers:
  • Ask in the Tourist Information Centre, in the old Abbey buildings of the Vale of the White Horse District council.
  • Simon Jenkins lists St. Helen's church (C) 5 aisled nave, painted ceilings
  • Near St. Helen's graveyard are 3 sets of Alms Houses, the Long Alley ones were built in 1446, Twitty's Almshouses in 1707 and the Brick Alley Almshouses in 1718.
  • In the Market Square near St. Nicolas is the Town Hall built in 1678-82, now used as a Museum. Traditionally, on special occasions like a Coronation, the Mayor throws buns from the upper floor window to be caught by the waiting populace in the square.
  • The Abbey Gardens, a park with the remains of the Abbey ruins and a children's play area, are between St.Nicolas and the River Thames, where an open-air swimming pool is open in the summer. Part of the Abbey Ruins are used for an annual Craft Fair in October. Amateur dramatic societies use an old hall of the Abbey as 'The Unicorn Theatre'.
  • The Thames Path National Trail runs alongside the Thames
  • River boat trips are available in summer, round trips or to Oxford. Ask in the Tourist Information Centres.
  • Morris dancing, the Mayor of Ock Street?
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