Abingdon Walks & What to Do in Abingdon

What is Abingdon parkrun?
It is a 5km run – it’s you against the clock.

When is it?
Every Saturday at 09:00

Where is it?
It’s run on Rye Meadow, Abingdon. See Course page for more details.

What does it cost to join in?
Nothing – it’s free! but please register in advance.

How fast do I have to be?
We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
www.parkrun.org.uk/Abingdon

See this marvellous photo in large scale here . Can you identify the people or the event. The photo is taken in front of number three Stert Street Abingdon.

An Alldays & Onions 8 HP car manufactured in 1905 breaks down outside the Golden Cross pub, Stert Street during a 1915 parade.

To quote from Michael Harrison’s site http://www.mjfh1.demon.co.uk/hist.htm

During the four years following 1914, Charlotte Young, daughter of William and Amy Higgs, and her husband Ernest Young were the lessees; Ernest Young was a blacksmith who later worked for MG Cars. The Youngs’ daughter, Winifred, grew up in the house and lived in it with her new husband, George Lewis, a chemical engineer, until they bought their own property. Charlotte Young continued to rent No 3 until the freehold was sold in 1969; it had ceased to be a pub in 1921.

Abingdonians turned out in mass for Remembrance Sunday in bright sunshine and warm weather. One of the highlights was a fly past by a single plane which seemed thrillingly low. The crowds warmly applauded the troops marching by and they were noticeably touched. A theme this year seemed to be to have a woman leading each detachment of the various services. This was apparently the 90th Remembrance Sunday (they took a while after 1918 before they were first organised. The whole event went off very well.

More photos here

A Roman Street surface was rumoured to have been found here

Please note some of these are Saturday and some Sunday.
Also some need booking

Children’s Activities 10.30 – 16.00 (SATURDAY)
Jester & Minstrel walkabout 10.30 & 14.30 (SATURDAY)
Jake the Jester Show 13.30 (SATURDAY)
Abbey Heritage Trail Launch 11.00 (SATURDAY)
Abbey Heritage Trail Walk 11.10 & 14.00 14.00 (SATURDAY)
Model Railway 11.00 – 16.00 14.00 – 16.00 (SATURDAY)
Morris Men 11.30 & 12.30 (SATURDAY)
St Ethelwold’s History Talk 12.30 & 14.30 (SATURDAY)
Michael Hambleton’s Book 10.30 -12.00 (SATURDAY)
Victorian Walk 14.00 (SATURDAY)
Lost Pubs Walk 18.00 (SATURDAY)
MG Cars From 12.00 (SUNDAY)
1556 Boundary Walk 11.30 – 13.30 (SUNDAY)
Fun in the Park 14.00 – 17.00 (SUNDAY)
Underground Abingdon Tour 14.00 – 15.30 (SUNDAY)

more info here http://www.abingdonheritage.co.uk

Follow Cycle Path Number 5 from Abbey Park northwards towards Radley, the cycle track follows the former railway line, the path then turns sharp left and you are lake side continue for a few hundred meters until you see the entrance to the lake.

There is now a circular walk around the lake, a gentle stroll of around 1.7km or 1 mile. There is a wooden boardwalk across the North West corner that gives you the chance to walk over water. A newly completed bird hide with a green roof that blends in to the surroundings and provides an opportunity to watch and photograph any skittish birds without disturbing them. A wonderful addition on the North East corner is a wooden shelter shaped like a water lily in bloom, that provides warm and dry seating on windy days so that you can enjoy your view of the lake without any disturbance.

With its scenic, tranquil and wildlife rich habitats, we hope that after visiting you will fall in love with Thrupp Lake, just as many local people have done already.

Learn more by clicking http://www.earthtrust.org.uk/

Public footpaths date from former times when most people had no access to transport and are usually the shortest way between villages.
Walk Suggestions:-

• Drive to West Hanney there are multiple footpaths
• Drive to Clifton Hampden, there are many walks, including Thames side ones
• Drive to Radley, park and cross the railway bridge to “Radley Island”, walk to the Thames
• Drive to Boars Hill , park near the Open University on Berkley Rd, a maze of walks available
• Drive to Newbridge (on the Thames) Lovely Thames-side circular walks

Use Google Maps or better Ordnance Survey Maps at http://www.mapsta.net/uk-os/westox/

Astonishing photos of the 1960′s redevelopment of Abingdon click the following to see what the author describes as the destruction of Abingdon .

See photos of the centre of Abingdon, Bury Street, Broad Street, The Queens Hotel, Fire Station before during and after destruction see the precinct rising from a sea of rubble.

The Abingdon Herald has been running a story that the recently closed Ox Pub on Oxford Rd Abingdon will be Abingdon’s third Tesco store and will open Xmas 2011. Whatever the case it is a great location with a huge site and lots of parking, access to this parking is however poor. So is Abingdon on its way to becoming a Tesco Town?

The popular last Landlords of the Ox the Da Silvas are now running the Black Swan in the town centre.