Abingdon County Hall Museum

About the museum

The County Hall stands on the south side of Abingdon's Market Place and was completed in 1682. It was built by the stonemason Christopher Kempster, who had worked with Sir Christopher Wren. The hall first served as a courtroom for the Berkshire Assizes, the county's travelling courts, and it is a Grade I listed building. Since 1761 it has also been the setting for the town's traditional bun throwing.

A museum for Abingdon was first set up in the early 20th century; the museum's own pages give both 1912 and 1919 as the starting year. The present museum reopened after a restoration in 2012 and was formally reopened on 8 March 2013. The building is in the guardianship of English Heritage, and the museum is supported by the Abingdon Museum Friends, a registered charity, and by volunteers.

The collection tells the story of Abingdon and the surrounding area, and the museum's school workshops draw on objects from prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval abbey times as well as from Victorian homes and the two world wars. The basement displays a 1907 Crossley engine and water pump, and a roof terrace can be visited in suitable weather. A virtual museum tour and further online resources are available.

Highlights

• Grade I listed County Hall of 1682 on Abingdon's Market Place
• Roof terrace above the market square, open in suitable weather
• 1907 Crossley engines and water pump in the basement
• Finds from the Roman villa at Barton Court Farm used in learning sessions
• Virtual museum tour and online resources

Permanent exhibition

• 1907 Crossley engines – The basement displays a 1907 Crossley engine and water pump together with the Kempster Room used for workshops.

Operated by

Abingdon Town Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the galleries is free; a donation of £2 for adults and £1 for children is suggested. The roof terrace season runs from April to October and it is closed in winter, although winter visits may sometimes be possible. It is closed in bad weather and needs a volunteer to escort visitors, so visitors should phone the museum before coming. An annual roof pass costs £10 and covers only the named holder.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The galleries can be reached only by stairs, and there are over 100 steps from ground level to the roof terrace. A wheelchair lift from the pavement between the museum and the neighbouring pub serves the basement only; the basement has toilets, an accessible toilet and baby changing. The basement entrance is at the back of the building. The museum publishes an accessibility guide on the town council website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Craft sessions for children run in the basement during school holidays, and the museum offers school workshops for early years and primary pupils. The basement has baby changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

The museum has no car park of its own.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The gift shop sells souvenirs, local books, postcards, replicas and toys.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit