Abingdon Walk - September 2020
If you would like to read more about the walking around Abingdon, here is our blog post from September 2020…
This week’s walk is a there and back route of 8 miles. It is a very easy walk and can be enjoyed by the whole family. There is plenty of variety as you stroll past red-roofed houses and riverside boats between waterside and meadow. Enjoy crossing from bank to bank, over bridges, weirs, locks and islands.
Starting from Abingdon, one of England’s oldest market towns you will firstly visit Abbey Meadows with its ecclesiastical medieval ruins, and romantic Victorian Abbey Gardens. Little remains of the town’s medieval abbey itself, but its impressive Long Gallery survives.
Crossing the river at Abingdon Weir and Lock, follow the Thames Path west and south, with fine views of St Helen’s Church and the town on the other side of the bank. Continue through Hales Meadow, passing the ancient Abingdon Bridge and Abingdon Marina.
Where the path forks, you can turn left to visit Culham with its picturesque medieval bridge. Visit the village’s manor with its 17th-century dovecote and the parish church of St Paul.
Return to the river and follow the path along flower filled field edges until you come to Culham Cut. Here, cross right over the bridge, then follow the footpath to Sutton Courtenay. Here you can see the imposing Grade One listed Wharf which once belonged to British Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, buried in nearby All Saints’ Church, where George Orwell is also buried.
If you have time you can finish your day with a short tour of Abingdon’s many architectural gems, not least the 17th-century county hall (“exceedingly handsome” according to poet John Betjeman); the Long Alley Almshouse, and St Helen’s Church, famous both for the paintings that adorn the ceiling of its Lady Chapel and its shape – with no fewer than five aisles, making it wider than it is long!
There are a number of food and drink options to consider in Abingdon or in the village of Sutton Courtenay.
PLEASE NOTE: You can park in the town of Abingdon or alternatively there is a car park at Culham Lock where you could walk a short riverside path to join the walk and follow the route in reverse. If you prefer you could start at either end of the walk and take a bus for the return.
You can see a full list of Oxfordshire walks here.
