Completed in 2003, the Sophos Global Headquarters represents an excellent example of modern architecture in Abingdon and was visited by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in 2004. Built on reclaimed land, the building spans three floors and includes a full height atrium, green roof and a large lake, home to a range of wildlife, including fish and birds.       

Saturday 13th September - building tours (Book in advance).

Due to restricted access, tours will be run at 11:30am, 12:15pm and 1:00pm. To book on a tour please email heather.melvin@sophos.com

Trinity Church – 150 Years from 1875 to 2025

To mark its 150th anniversary, Trinity Church will be open throughout Saturday with an exhibition telling the story of the church from 1875 to 2025. On Sunday there will be a tour and a talk.

Pevsner called Trinity “full-blown churchy... fussy Geometrical tracery.” Come and see if you agree!

Saturday 13th September: Exhibition and church open 10am–5pm

Sunday 14th September:

2:00pm – Guided tour of the church

2:30pm – Illustrated talk: Trinity Church – 150 Years from 1875 to 2025, including a clip from BBC Songs of Praise filmed in the church in 1980.

Abingdon was at the centre of a network of routes by road, river and footpaths. Ths year's exhibition in the Almshouses will focus on the role Christ's Hospital played in this.

For 400 years, the Board of Governors of the charity known as Christ's Hospital has held their meetings in the "Hospital Hall" which will be open to view and the display will include artworks, historic documents, memorabilia and maps of Abingdon.

Access is limited; please read the notes below.

Location: St. Helens Churchyard OX14 5EJ

Opening Times:

 Saturday 14th September 9.30am - 3.30pm

Access notes: As this is a listed building, disability access is very limited. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters may be unable to cross the lip of the doorway. Those with limited walking mobility would be able to step inside. Pushchairs and prams are also unlikely to be able to enter the hall. There are no toilet facilities.

One of Abingdon's iconic buildings, a stunning church, in a beautiful setting. 

There has been a church on the site since the 10th century or earlier. The present church dates from the 13th century but over the subsequent centuries several aisles were added by bequests from local guilds and families so that, unusually, it is now considerably wider than it is long. The panorama of stained glass windows is lovely but the church's most special feature is the very rare ceiling paintings in the 14th century Lady Chapel.

While visiting the Church, don't miss the three sets of almshouses behind it and the Organ Blowing Chamber in the churchyard.

Location: OX14 5BS

Opening times:  Saturday 13th 10am -4pm

Sunday 14th 1pm - 4pm 

Refreshments available on Saturday

Georgian Grade II listed building now used as a solicitor's office, which has been sympathetically renovated and restored keeping some of its original features.

Our historic Georgian building has featured in many old pictures of Abingdon and can be easily recognised as the outside of the building has hardly changed. Whilst the outside remains the same, the inside has been cleverly restored to keep some of the original features visible. In our boardroom we have a display cabinet containing several items found in the property during restoration. There are also a couple of small areas that have been protected by a frame with one showing the original wall paper used in the room in the late 1700's and the other the plastered wall beneath the wall paper exposing some original hand writing.

Location: Postcode  OX14 5AL

Opening Times:

 Saturday 13th September. 11am - 3pm

Refreshments available.

The Abbey Buildings were once part of a Benedictine monastery. At its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, St Mary's Abbey was one of the most influential abbeys in England, but it was closed in 1538 as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. 

The Abbey Buildings were part of the "service" area of the abbey - the Exchequer where money was collected, the granary, and the lodging-house where visitors stayed. 

The buildings were acquired by the Friends of Abingdon in the mid-1940s and have been restored and cared for by them ever since. 

This year the Buildings will host a living history event organised by Abingdon Museum. The period of the Roman Army in Abingdon will be recreated with interactive displays and demonstrations. (Saturday).

Location: OX14 3JB. Find us at the end of Checker Walk, off Abbey Close.

Opening Times:

Saturday 13th September 10am - 4pm Buildings open, Roman army event taking place in the gardens plus heritage craft demonstrations in the Buildings.

Sunday 14th September 10am to 4pm - the Buildings will be open for self-guided tours

Access Notes: Lower floor and gardens are accessible to those with limited mobility. 

Visit the historic house and beautiful riverside garden, owned by a charity which maintains the house as a place for personal quiet and reflection. 

This year there will be talks about the history of the house by Richard Clarke. Performance of amalgamated soundscapes with spoken word poetry.

Location: Postcode OX14 5EB East St Helen St

 Opening Times: 

 Saturday 14th September - 10am - 5pm with cakes and hot drinks available 10.30am-12.30 then 2pm - 4pm.

Illustrated talks at 11am and 2pm.

Poetry & soundscape performance 4-5pm

The Church of St Nicolas is one of the oldest buildings in Abingdon and one of the few remaining from the great Benedictine Abbey of Saint Mary at Abingdon. 

Abingdon Abbey became an important Anglo-Saxon monastery in the 10"‘ century under St Ethelwold. The Norman Conquest led to many changes, including the addition of St Nicolas‘ church, which was built in about 1170 AD. This church for lay servants and tenants on one side of the main gateway of the abbey complemented St John's Hospital for lay people on the other. The exterior of the church has changed little in recent centuries, but there were many internal changes as the result of a major restoration in 1880 and repairs to the chancel after a serious fire in 1953.

Look out for Abingdon Artists' "Landscape in a Day" exhibition during the weekend.

Location: Market Place OX14 3JP

Opening Times:

 Saturday 14th September 10am - 4pm and Sunday 15th pm only.

This house, which was built as a medieval hall house, is one of the oldest in Abingdon. Owned by Oxford Preservation Trust, it is one of the best preserved examples of a 15th century dwelling in Oxfordshire. Visitors can see original features including medieval windows and fireplaces and a remarkable domestic wall painting.

Not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Location: Postcode OX14 5EB 26A East St Helen St

Opening Times: Saturday 13th September 10am - 4pm

No booking required.

The Baptist Church and the sixteenth century house adjacent to it will be open to visitors over Heritage Weekend 2024.

The Church has been recently renovated and presents a surprisingly modern, multi-use interior. It was built 1840-41 on land used as a nonconformist burial ground dating back to the 1650s. Some remains of an earlier chapel building can be seen.

The Church and former minister's house which is now a cafe "35 Ock Street" will be open to view.

Opening Times: Saturday only for Heritage Weekend visitors. 10am - 4pm

On Sunday all are welcome to participate in the morning service at the Church from 10.30am (doors open at 10am).

This building is one of the most important in Abingdon and in addition to our exhibition and activities in the Roysse Room and the Foyer, there will be a rare opportunity to explore three of its historic rooms. The Old Magistrates Court still contains the bench and dock which were in use till the late 20thC; climb the 18thC carved staircase to the Council Chamber, with its important historical portraits and continue to the Bear Room and discover its intriguing history.

Sadly, since this is a listed building, with no lift, only the Magistrates Court is accessible to those who can’t manage stairs.

Location: 

Use the entrance in Roysse Court, the grassed area facing Lewis Baker shop on Bridge Street.

Opening Times: 

Saturday 13th 10.00 – 16.00