Abingdon Museum presents a walk guided by Jeff Wallis. This guided tour will follow the traces of Abingdon's Iron Age Oppidum, discovering the archaeology beneath the town centre.

Saturday 16th September

Starts 2.30pm - duration approx. one hour

Meet at Museum entrance under the arcade

Suitable for ages 12+

Booking essential - only 10 places available

Book via link below

Ben Jeapes wanted to be a writer in the mistaken belief that it would be quite easy and save him from having to get a real job. It turned out it isn’t, and it didn’t. Having had that knocked out of him at a thankfully early age, he could dedicate time to learning and developing his craft while holding down day jobs in publishing (social sciences, I.T., medicine, science fiction) and technical communications. He is the author of five professionally-published novels and three self-published under his own name, and many more as a ghost writer, which annoyingly make more money than his own do. He has also ghost written the biography of the reformed convict-turned-Christian Allen Langham (Taming of a Villain: A Message of Hope, Lion Hudson, 2019) and under his own name written an award-winning children’s biography of Ada Lovelace (Ada, David Fickling Books, 2019).

Saturday 16th September 11am

Roysse Room, Abingdon Guildhall

Geoff Dunbar has worked in the world of animated films most of his adult life. He was born in Abingdon, transferred to Scotland in the last years of the war and returned to Abingdon some years later. Geoff attended the local council schools here in Abingdon, leaving Larkmead School at the age of 15. He served as a movie apprentice at the prestigious Film Producers Guild in London. He is going to talk a little about his life and career and then screen the short films Tropic Island Humm, The Frog Chorus followed finally by the film Tuesday, all composed by Sir Paul McCartney and arranged by Sir George Martin.

Saturday 16th September 2pm

Roysse Room, Abingdon Guildhall

When did St. Helen's church first get its organ?  How has it changed since then?  Why do churches have organs at all, and what sort of music were they intended for?  Come and find out about a living musical tradition in the life of churches like ours over the centuries.

Illustrated talk taking place in St Helens Church, West St Helen Street 

Saturday 16th September

3pm (lasts approx. one hour)

You may also enjoy St Helen's Patronal Festival Evensong with the organ playing throughout the service on Sunday 17th at 5.30pm

Rob Jones is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator from Abingdon. The latest book he has illustrated, ‘The Funny Life of Football’, won the Best Children’s Book for the Sunday Times Sport Book Awards this year. You may have heard of his own books ‘Where’s Brian’s Bottom?’ and ‘Who’s Tickling Tilly?’ He has been working on children’s books for just over 10 years now, so he thought it would be nice to talk about his journey through publishing, and possibly do some drawing alongside it.

Sunday 17th September 11am

Roysse Room, Abingdon Guildhall

Julie Hearn is the critically acclaimed author of seven young adult historical fantasy novels, including Rowan the Strange which was shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and described by The Guardian as “nothing short of extraordinary”. Her latest book, a middle grade story about a puppy who does not want to be a guide dog when he grows up, was inspired by her own experience of sight loss. Julie’s illustrated talk “From Bartholomew Fair to The Blitz” will explore ways in which history has provided characters, inspired plot twists and generally enriched her fiction.

Sunday 17th September 2pm

Roysse Room, Abingdon Guildhall

A great opportunity to walk the original 1556 boundary of Abingdon-upon-Thames. This will be led by a Town Crier who will entertain you with lots of interesting historical facts and stories.

25 participants. 4 ½ miles, about 2 ½ hours.

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 10.30am

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

Most of the route is easy to walk but one stretch is a bit rough and good shoes/boots are advised. The walk will be led by Richard Dudding. The route will illustrate: the riverside meadows in the time of the Abbey; the growth and decline of the settlement at Thrupp; farms, fields and trackways; the coming of the railway; gravel extraction and restoration; and more recent leisure use and nature conservation. The precise route can be varied according to weather and the interest of those in the group.

15 participants 4-5 miles, about 3 hours

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 10.30am

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

An historic walk taking in the locations of many of lost public houses of Abingdon and several of the existing ones, punctuated with interesting facts and amusing stories. There will also be information about the brewing industry and its importance to the town. 

12 participants about 1 ½ miles, about 1 ½ hours

Sunday 17th September

Two options -  this walk will set off from Market Place at 10.30am and again at 2pm. During the 2pm walk we may stop for refreshments so the walk may take longer.

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

How about a gentle ramble through some lovely areas of Abingdon in the capable hands of a member of the Ramblers Association? You will visit areas such as the Abbey Meadows, Albert Park and the Ock Valley River Walk and learn all about their history as well. 

20 participants about 3 ½ miles, about 2 hours

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 10.30am

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

Learn all about the biodiversity of the Abbey Gardens with your expert guide for this walk. A treat is in store as you discover so much more about this popular open space.

20 participants, about 1 mile, about 1 ½ hours

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 2pm

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

In the expert hands of a local historian be transported back to Abingdon during the Great War. He will share with you the stories he has carefully researched about some of the families listed on the War Memorial. The route passes the homes of some of those who served.

12 participants, about 1 ½ miles, about 1 ½ - 2 hours

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 2pm

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.

The Friends of Abingdon Civic Society will offer a comprehensive walk that starts in the Abbey's "little church by the gate", or "St Nic's" as it is known today. Visit the sites of the medieval Abbey complex, learn its history and see the remaining buildings.

25 participants, about 1 ½ hours, 1 ½ miles

Sunday 17th September

Set off from Market Place at 2pm

Book in at the Information Stall from 10am.