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

Please be aware that a photo ID will be required on the day.

The Tithe Barn in Northcourt Road was built about 1270 as a grain store for a 

tenth (a tithe) of the crops from the Abbey's land. It remained a farm 

building for centuries, until Abingdon expanded in the 1950s. Local Christians 

wanted north Abingdon to have a church, and by hard work and giving they restored the derelict barn. It opened as a church in 1961. The 60s extension has community meeting rooms, now with a full eco-upgrade and heat pump.

On both days of the weekend, members of Eco-Church will be able to explain about the decarbonisation project as well as the history of the Barns.

On Saturday, visit a special one-day-only radio station (with its own call sign) set up in the coffee lounge, part of the CHOTA organisation (Churches on the Air).

Location: postcode OX14 1PL, Northcourt Road, at the Oxford Road end, next

to the football ground

Opening times: Saturday 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday 13:00 to 16:00

Barns Cafe Open 10:00 to 14:00 on Saturday

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.

The 15th century Long Alley Almshouses are still in use today, run by the local charity known as Christ's Hospital. The Board of Governors has held their meetings in the "Hospital Hall" for over 400 years. This will be open to view with an exhibition showing the contribution of the charity to the architecture of Abingdon, using some of their historic collection of paintings and artefacts.

Location: St. Helens Churchyard OX14 5EJ

Opening Times:

 Saturday 13th September 10am - 4pm

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.

The Old Gaol: Then and Now

Come and visit parts of the modernised Old Gaol site not normally open to the public.

The current occupant, Procision Football Oxford Academy, is opening the Foyer and associated rooms. Students have developed presentations on the history of the building and will be guiding visitors around. Booking not needed.

Location: Bridge Street, Abingdon, OX14 3HE

Opening times: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 10 am to 4 pm.

Come and discover the magnificent architecture and hidden treasures of Abingdon’s iconic ancient parish church.

On Saturday 13 September the church will be open from 10.00am to 6pm. Join us for:

• Refreshments: bacon butties from 10.30 to 2; teas, coffees and cake served throughout the day to 4pm. Profits will be split between the church and MacMillan Cancer Support

• quizzes for all ages

• guided visits to the tower belfry to see the bells at 10.30am and 2.30pm. Please note this involves climbing 74 steps. Access to the parapet is not possible.

• A chance to learn about and try playing the organ. If you are already learning the piano, but have always wanted to try the organ, bring along a piece you know to try out. Intro talk and demo at 2pm followed by "hands-on" until 3pm.

• a display from our archives 

Free entry, but donations are always welcome. 

Location: OX14 5BS

Opening times:     

Saturday 13th 10am -6pm

Sunday 14th 

Sung Eucharist 10.30am

Open Visiting 12.15pm - 4pm 

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. 

On Saturday 13th September 10am – 4pm 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. There will also be a display of Rural Heritage Crafts in the Lower Hall.

On both days the rest of the Buildings will be open for visits, volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and the Unicorn will be open and showing a film made by its users.

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

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. 

Location: Postcode OX14 5EB East St Helen St

 Opening Times: 

 Saturday 13th September - 10am - 4pm with cakes and hot drinks available 10.30am-12.30 then 2pm - 4pm.

Talks about the history of the house at 10.30am and 2pm.

Exhibition about the Restoration Project.

A rare opportunity to visit the miniature world of Pendon Museum for FREE for two days only! Explore the 1930s countryside of the Vale of White Horse and other rural scenes in outstanding miniature.

Featuring three exquisitely crafted rural scenes, the Vale Scene, the Dartmoor Scene and the Madder Valley  (trains not running on the last of these.) The Museum has audio guides, a tea room and family trails - ask at reception. 

Opening times: Saturday 13 September: From 11.00 with last entry 15.15

Wednesday 17 September: From 11.00 with last entry 15.15

Location: High Street, Long Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QD

In Long Wittenham, turn off the Didcot Road down High Street and follow the road to the end where you will come upon the Pendon Museum signage. Turn right into the small car park and the museum main entrance is the double green doors.

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. See the recently conserved Blacknall Aisle and find out more about Sir John Blacknall (dd August 1625.)

Look out for Abingdon Artists' "Landscape in a Day" exhibition on Saturday only.  For more details please  go to the Landscape in a Day tab on the menu bar above. Come along between 2.30pm and 4pm on Saturday to see the entries and vote for your favrouite.

Location: Market Place OX14 3JP

Opening Times:

 Saturday 13th September 10am - 4pm and Sunday 14th pm only.

WWA (West Waddy Archadia) proudly marks 140 years of architectural practice in Abingdon. To celebrate this milestone, the team is opening the doors of their historic home — a former malthouse opposite St Helen’s Church — and is inviting visitors to explore an exhibition showcasing the firm’s legacy and its role in Abingdon’s development over the years.

The Malthouse

60 East St Helen Street

OX14 5EB

Opening times:

Saturday and Sunday 10.00 to 14.00 

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

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.

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).