Editing Abingdon-on-Thames

{{short description|Market town in Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| type                     = [[Market town]]
| official_name            = Abingdon-on-Thames
| local_name               = Abingdon
| static_image_name      = ThamesAtAbingdon.jpg
| static_image_caption   = The [[River Thames]] at Abingdon looking towards St. Helen's parish church
| static_image_2_name        = Blason ville uk Abingdon (Oxfordshire).svg
| static_image_2_width       = 150
| static_image_2_caption     = Coat of arms of Abingdon: Vert a Cross patonce Or between four Crosses pattée Argent
| coordinates              = {{Coord|51|40|18|N|01|16|42|W|display=inline,title}}
| label_position           = left
| os_grid_reference        = SU4997
| london_distance          = {{cvt|51.1|mi}}
| area_total_km2           = 9.09
| population               = 37,931
| population_ref           = ([[United Kingdom Census 2021|2021 census]])
| civil_parish             = Abingdon on Thames<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-thames-town-council |title=Abingdon-on-Thames |publisher=Abingdon Town Council |access-date=23 March 2019 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507041738/https://abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-thames-town-council |url-status=live }}</ref>
| shire_district           = [[Vale of White Horse]]
| shire_county             = [[Oxfordshire]]
| region                   = South East England
| country                  = England
| post_town                = Abingdon
| postcode_district        = OX14
| postcode_area            = OX
| dial_code                = 01235
| constituency_westminster = [[Oxford West and Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)|Oxford West and Abingdon]]
| website                  = {{URL|https://abingdon.gov.uk}}
}}

'''Abingdon-on-Thames''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|b|ɪ|ŋ|d|ən}} {{respell|AB|ing|dən}}), commonly known as '''Abingdon''', is a historic [[market town]] and [[civil parish]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/58673.html |title=Abingdon on Thames |publisher=Mapit |access-date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=18 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118011328/https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/58673.html |url-status=live }}</ref> on the [[River Thames]] in the [[Vale of the White Horse]] district of [[Oxfordshire]], England. The [[Historic counties of England|historic]] [[county town]] of [[Berkshire]], the area was occupied from the early to middle [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] and the remains of a late Iron Age and [[Roman people|Roman]] [[oppidum|defensive enclosure]] lies below the town centre. [[Abingdon Abbey]] was founded around 676, giving its name to the emerging town. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Abingdon was an agricultural centre with an extensive trade in wool, alongside weaving and the manufacture of clothing. Charters for the holding of markets and fairs were granted by various monarchs, from [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] to [[George II of Great Britain|George II]].

The town survived the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolution]] of the abbey in 1538, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, with the building of [[Abingdon Lock]] in 1790 and the [[Wilts & Berks Canal]] in 1810, Abingdon was on important routes for goods transport. In 1856 the Abingdon Railway opened, linking the town with the [[Great Western Railway]]. The canal was abandoned in 1906 but a voluntary trust is now working to restore and re-open it. [[Abingdon railway station]] was closed to passengers in September 1963. The line remained open for goods until 1984, its role including serving the [[MG (car)|MG]] car factory, which operated from 1929 to 1980.

Abingdon's brewery, [[Morland Brewery|Morland]], makers of [[Old Speckled Hen]] ale, was taken over and closed in 1999; the site of the brewery has been redeveloped into housing. The rock band [[Radiohead]] formed in 1985 when its members were studying at [[Abingdon School]], a day and boarding independent secondary school. The [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]] recorded the parish's population as 33,130.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119799&c=Abingdon&d=16&e=62&g=6459497&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427281368433&enc=1 |title=Area: Abingdon (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics |work=[[Neighbourhood Statistics]] |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220052/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119799&c=Abingdon&d=16&e=62&g=6459497&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427281368433&enc=1 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This was 2,504 more than in the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]] total of 30,626, and represented just over 8% growth in the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=779&$ph=60_61&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=4&containerAreaId=790499 |title=Area selected: Vale of White Horse (Non-Metropolitan District) |work=Neighbourhood Statistics: Full Dataset View |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=3 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622111457/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=779&$ph=60_61&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=4&containerAreaId=790499 |archive-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Barton Court Farm excavations.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Excavating a Roman villa at Barton Court Farm]]
[[File:Abingdon LongAlley north.jpg|thumb|[[Long Alley Almshouses]] next to [[St Helen's Church, Abingdon|St Helen's parish church]]]]
[[File:Abingdon Berks St Helens.jpg|thumb|St Helen's parish church from across the Thames]]
A Neolithic stone [[hand axe]] was found at Abingdon. [[Petrology|Petrological]] analysis in 1940 identified the stone as [[Epidote|epidotised]] [[tuff]] from [[Rossett Pike|Stake Pass]] in the [[Lake District]], {{cvt|250|mi}} to the north. Stone axes from the same source have been found at [[Sutton Courtenay]], [[Alvescot]], [[Kencot, Oxfordshire|Kencot]]{{sfn|Harden|1940|p=165}} and [[Minster Lovell]].{{sfn|Zeuner|1952|p=240}} Abingdon has been occupied from the early to middle [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] and the remains of a late Iron Age defensive enclosure (or [[oppidum]]) lies below the town centre. The oppidum was in use throughout the [[Roman people|Roman]] occupation. A Neolithic [[Abingdon (causewayed enclosure)|causewayed enclosure]] was found in Abingdon, dating to the 36th or 37th century BC. It was found in 1926 while quarrying for gravel, and was partly excavated in 1926 and 1927 by [[Edward Thurlow Leeds|E.T. Leeds]]. Subsequent excavations took place in 1954 and 1963.<ref>Healy et al. (2011), pp. 407-420.</ref> A Roman villa and subsequent Saxon farmstead buildings have been excavated at Barton Court Farm.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Miles |first1=D |title=Archaeology at Barton Court Farm, Abingdon, Oxon: an investigation of late Neolithic, Iron Age, Romano-British, and Saxon settlements |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/issue.xhtml?recordId=1075411 |website=Archeology Data Services|date=1984 |access-date=27 February 2025 |doi=10.5284/1081709}}</ref>

[[Abingdon Abbey]] was founded in [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon times]], possibly around 676,{{sfn|Hoiberg|2010|p=33}} but its early history is confused by numerous legends, invented to raise its status and explain the place name. The name seems to mean 'Hill of a man named Æbba, or a woman named Æbbe',<ref>{{harvnb|Mills|Room|2003|loc=Abingdon}}</ref> possibly the saint to whom [[St Ebbe's Church]] in [[Oxford]] was dedicated ([[Æbbe of Coldingham]] or a different [[Æbbe of Oxford]]). However, Abingdon stands in a valley and not on a hill. It is thought that the name was first given to a place on [[Boars Hill]] above [[Chilswell]], and the name was transferred to its present site when the Abbey was moved.{{sfn|Gelling|1957|pp=54–62}} In 1084, [[William the Conqueror]] celebrated Easter at the Abbey and it is possible that his son Henry I received some schooling at the abbey.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hollister |first=C. Warren |title=Henry I |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2008 |isbn=9780300143720 |pages=36}}</ref>

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Abingdon was a flourishing agricultural centre with an extensive trade in [[wool]] and a famous weaving and clothing manufacturing industry. The abbot seems to have held a market from very early times and charters for the holding of markets and fairs were granted by various sovereigns, from [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] to [[George II of Great Britain|George II]]. In 1337 there was a famous riot in protest at the Abbot's control of this market in which several of the monks were killed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Townsend |first1=James |title=A History of Abingdon |date=1910 |publisher=Henry Frowde |location=London |page=33}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} After the abbey's [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolution]] in 1538, the town sank into decay.

In 1556, upon receiving a representation of its pitiable condition, [[Mary I of England|Mary I]] granted a [[municipal charter|charter]] incorporating the town as a [[ancient borough|borough]], governed by a mayor, two [[bailiff]]s, twelve chief [[Burgess (title)|burgesses]] and sixteen secondary burgesses, the mayor to be clerk of the market, coroner and a [[Justice of the peace|JP]].{{sfn|Hoiberg|2010|p=33}} The present [[Christ's Hospital of Abingdon|Christ's Hospital]] originally belonged to the Guild of the [[Christian cross|Holy Cross]], on the dissolution of which [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]] founded the [[almshouse]]s instead, under its present name.

The borough elected one [[member of parliament]]; this right would continue until the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]]. The 1556 charter also catered for the appointment of a town clerk and other officers, and the borough boundaries were described in detail. Later charters, from [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]], [[James I of England|James I]], [[James II of England|James II]], [[George II of Great Britain|George II]] and [[George III of the United Kingdom|George III]], made no considerable change. James II changed the style of the corporation to that of a mayor, twelve [[Alderman|aldermen]] and twelve [[Burgess (title)|burgesses]].

[[File:County Hall Abingdon Geograph-3071725-by-Des-Blenkinsopp.jpg|thumb|County Hall, completed in 1680]]
Abingdon became the [[county town]] of [[Berkshire]] sometime after receiving its charter in 1556.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/abingdon/index.html |title=Introducing Abingdon |website=localauthoritypublishing.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220171010/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/abingdon/index.html |archive-date=20 February 2009}}</ref> [[Assize courts]] were held in Abingdon from 1570, but in the 17th century it was vying with [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] for county town status. The [[county hall]] and [[court house]] were built between 1678 and 1682, to assert this status. The building, now the [[Abingdon County Hall Museum]], was reputedly designed by [[Christopher Kempster]], who worked with Sir [[Christopher Wren]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/abingdon_county_hall.pdf |year=2004 |title=Abingdon County Hall: Information for Teachers |place=Colchester |publisher=Palladian Press for [[English Heritage]] |access-date=6 January 2009 |archive-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320143743/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/abingdon_county_hall.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Abingdon borough police was the police force responsible for policing the Borough until 1889.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Thames Valley Police |url=http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/acc/museum_booklet_a4.pdf |accessdate=2017-03-17 |website=Thamesvalley.police.uk }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> It was formed as a result of the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Great Britain |first=Charles Purton Cooper |date=1 January 1835 |title=The Act for the Regulation of Municipal Corporations in England and Wales, (5 & 6 W. 4, C. 76 ... |url=https://archive.org/details/actforregulatio01coopgoog |publisher=Saunders and Benning, law booksellers (successors to J . Butterworth and son) |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>  The force was amalgamated into the [[Berkshire Constabulary]] following the [[Local Government Act 1888]], which required all boroughs with populations of less than 10,000 to amalgamate their police forces with their adjoining county constabulary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Act, 1888 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1888/41/pdfs/ukpga_18880041_en.pdf |accessdate=2017-03-17 |website=Legislation.gov.uk }}</ref> Today, the area is policed by the successor to Berkshire Constabulary, [[Thames Valley Police]].

In 1790 [[Abingdon Lock]] was built, replacing navigation via the [[Swift Ditch]]. In 1810, the [[Wilts & Berks Canal]] opened, linking Abingdon with [[Semington]] on the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]]. Abingdon became a key link between major industrial centres such as [[Bristol]], [[London]], [[Birmingham]] and the [[Black Country]]. In 1856 the Abingdon Railway opened, linking the town with the [[Great Western Railway]] at {{rws|Radley}}. However, Abingdon's failure to engage fully with the railway revolution, accepting only a branch line,{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} sidelined the town in favour of [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] which became the County Town in 1869.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Berkshire Quarter Sessions |newspaper=Jackson's Oxford Journal |date=4 July 1868 |quote=Summer assizes were moved from Abingdon in 1867, effectively making Reading the county town. However, the [[Home Office]] informed the county's court of [[quarter sessions]] that in moving the court they had acted ''[[ultra vires]]'', and that they were required to petition the [[Privy Council]] to make the change. The petition was duly submitted and the change was officially approved with effect from the summer of 1869.}}</ref>

The [[Wilts & Berks Canal]] was abandoned in 1906 but a voluntary trust is now working to restore and re-open it. [[Abingdon railway station]] was closed to passengers in September 1963. The line remained open for goods until 1984, including serving the [[MG (car)|MG]] car factory, which opened in 1929 and closed in October 1980 as part of a [[British Leyland]] rationalisation plan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Abingdon-For-MG-Enthusiasts.htm |title=Abingdon For MG Enthusiasts |first=Curtis |last=Jacobson |date=September 2007 |place=Longmont, CO |publisher=British V8 |access-date=31 December 2009 |archive-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221002756/http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Abingdon-For-MG-Enthusiasts.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The nearest railway station is {{rws|Radley}}, {{Convert|2|mi|spell=in}} away. Much of the original Abingdon branch line is now a cyclepath, whilst the land on which the station stood has been extensively redeveloped, and is now the site of a large [[Waitrose]] store and surrounded by a large number of new flats and houses.

The corporation was reformed, under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], but was abolished under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], which enacted extensive local government reorganisation across England and Wales with effect from 1 April 1974. As a result of this reorganisation, Berkshire County Council's northern boundary was much reduced and Abingdon's governance was transferred to [[Oxfordshire]], with the town becoming the seat of the new [[Vale of White Horse]] District Council, and Abingdon becoming a [[civil parish]] with a town council. Since the 1980s, Abingdon has played host to a number of information communication companies, with many based in the town's respective business and science parks. As a consequence, and owing to Abingdon's proximity to academic and scientific institutions in [[Oxford]], the town has seen an influx of young professionals taking residence in the town's many residential areas such as Peachcroft.

The town was sometimes historically called "Abingdon-on-Thames",<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Abingdon-on-Thames |encyclopedia=britannica.com |title=Abingdon-on-Thames |access-date=4 October 2018 |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004145850/https://www.britannica.com/place/Abingdon-on-Thames |url-status=live }}</ref> but the official name of the borough (as given in statutes from the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 to the Local Government Act 1972 and all intervening Ordnance Survey maps) was simply "Abingdon".<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act 1835 |date=1835 |page=188 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObEDAAAAQAAJ |access-date=22 March 2022 |last1=Archbold |first1=John Frederick}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The English Non-Metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972 (S.I. 1972 No. 2039) |date=1972 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1972/2039/made |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218135531/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1972/2039/made |url-status=live }}</ref> Local councillors voted in November 2011 to change the official name of the town to "Abingdon-on-Thames",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/abingdon/9384559.Public_to_have_say_on_renaming_town/ |title=Public to have say on renaming town |last=Williams |first=Amanda |newspaper=[[Oxford Mail]] |publisher=[[Newsquest]] |date=25 November 2011 |access-date=25 November 2011 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114091323/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/abingdon/9384559.Public_to_have_say_on_renaming_town/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the change took effect on 23 February 2012.<ref name=Wilkinson>{{cite news |title=It's all change at Abingdon-on-Thames |first=Ben |last=Wilkinson |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/9551306.It_s_all_change_at_Abingdon_on_Thames/ |newspaper=Oxford Mail |publisher=Newsquest |date=24 February 2012 |access-date=24 February 2012 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114091242/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/9551306.It_s_all_change_at_Abingdon_on_Thames/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Leisure and media==
Sport and recreation facilities include the White Horse Leisure and [[Tennis]] Centre, [[Tilsley Park]] and the Southern Town Park. Abingdon had four [[movie theatre|cinema]]s but all have closed.{{sfn|Meyrick|2007|pp=29–35}} The last was the Regal, which closed in 1989. It stood derelict for 24 years until it was demolished in 2003 and replaced by housing development, Regal Close.{{sfn|Meyrick|2007|p=34}} The Unicorn theatre was built in an area called The Checkers Hall in the ruins of the Abbey buildings and shows plays and films on an irregular basis. In addition, a new cinema, called the Abbey Cinema has been built in one of the town council buildings and operates in conjunction with the Regal in [[Evesham]].

The local newspapers are ''[[The Oxford Times]]'', ''[[Oxford Mail]]'' and ''Abingdon Herald''. The ''[[Oxfordshire Guardian]]'', a [[free newspaper]], was based in Abingdon for many years and was founded as the ''[[South Oxfordshire Courier]]'' until its closure in 2018. Local radio and television stations are shared with [[Oxford]], although [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] retains a news gathering centre in nearby [[Milton Park]] (formerly having a broadcasting studio in the town) for [[ITV Meridian]]. Historically the ITV franchise was [[ITV Central]]. Local analogue radio is provided by [[BBC Radio Oxford]], [[Greatest Hits Radio]] and [[Heart South]] (historically 'Fox FM' and later 'Heart Thames Valley'), while the town is also covered by the [[Oxford transmitting station#Digital Radio|Oxfordshire DAB multiplex]]. There was a [[Six TV]] local TV channel until 2009 and the town's further education college was the home to [[That's TV]] studios for [[Oxfordshire]] until it relocated to [[Oxford Science Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thats.tv/oxford/index.php?route=information/contact |title=That's TV - Contact Us |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041506/http://www.thats.tv/oxford/index.php?route=information/contact |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Tesco]] Extra store west of the town is the largest supermarket in Abingdon and has historically been one of the most profitable Tesco stores in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/1059634.0.traders_fear_bigger_tesco.ph/ |author=Gordon Rogers |title=Traders fear bigger Tesco |newspaper=Oxford Mail |publisher=Newsquest |date=7 December 2006 |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402162329/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/1059634.0.traders_fear_bigger_tesco.ph/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nearby is the Fairacres Retail Park, thought to be the first retail park in the UK and recently redeveloped, which includes [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]], [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], [[B & M]], [[Dreams (bed retailer)|Dreams]] and [[Pets at Home]] stores. It originally had two long established Abingdon retailers—Vineys Home Furnishings (now part of the Lee Longlands chain but retains its name) and Mays Carpets (now part of the [[Carpetright]] chain and has re-branded accordingly). In the town centre, many independent stores, estate agents and charity shops make up the Bury Street shopping centre as major high street names have chosen to go to other towns. However, a recent renovation has attracted stores such as [[New Look (company)|New Look]], [[Peacocks (clothing)|Peacocks]] and [[WHSmith]] to open branches.

The town centre of Abingdon was renovated in 2012<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-22154456 |title=Traders claim revamp 'hit business' |date=2013-04-15 |access-date=2019-02-25 |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226080720/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-22154456 |url-status=live }}</ref> as part of the council's redevelopment plan, with the 1970s shopping precinct converted to look more modern. The roads around the area have been changed: notably the one-way system around the centre has been partially changed to two-way. While this has slightly reduced traffic within the historic town centre, congestion has greatly increased elsewhere. Local businesses have also complained that the increased traffic has driven shoppers away.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/news/news002_comment_0407.htm |title=Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy (ABITS) |access-date=30 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020534/http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/news/news002_comment_0407.htm |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Redevelopment of the Old [[Gaol]] site, most recently a [[leisure centre]], began in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11088337 |title=Construction starts on Abingdon Gaol development |work=[[BBC News]] |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=8 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108103155/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11088337 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first stage was demolishing the 1970s additions and swimming pool extension. The Gaol has been converted into luxury flats, shops and restaurants, with access to the riverside.

==Sport==
Abingdon has two [[non-League football]] teams: [[Abingdon United F.C.]], who compete in the {{English football updater|AbingdoU}} and play at The Armadillo Energy Stadium, and [[Abingdon Town F.C.]], who play at Culham Road. Abingdon [[Golf]] Club/North Berks [[Golf Club]] (now defunct) was first mentioned in 1876. The club disappeared at the time of the [[World War II|Second World War]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=732 |title=Abingdon Golf Club/North Berks Golf Club |website=Golf's Missing Links |year=2012 |access-date=22 July 2014 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114110503/http://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=732 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Oxford Saints]] [[American Football]] Club play their games in Abingdon at [[Tilsley Park]] and are one of the longest-running American Football clubs in the UK, founded in 1983. Abingdon is home to [[Abingdon Rowing Club]], with members from 13 to 80 years old. It has had many successes at local and national races, and also holds its own [[Abingdon Rowing Club#Abingdon Head of the River|Abingdon Head]] race in April, one of the main events in the Abingdon Calendar. Its boathouse is on Wilsham Road. Abingdon Amblers changed its name to Abingdon [[Sport of Athletics|Athletics]] Club. They train at Tilsley Park and take part in county cross-country leagues.

Abingdon RUFC was formed at the Queens Hotel on 27 February 1931. During the 1930s the club was based at the Queens Hotel and games were played on the council owned recreation ground at Caldecott Road. Immediately after the [[Second World War]] the club moved to outside the [[RAF]] camp (now [[Dalton Barracks]]) which offered on-site changing facilities and later a pitch inside the camp. At the start of the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956 play temporarily returned to the Caldecott Road site because of security risks. This period saw the formation of the ill-fated Abingdon [[Sports Club]]; an amalgamation of the town's [[rugby union|rugby]], [[cricket]] and [[field hockey|hockey]] clubs and the bid to establish a sporting centre at Hales Meadow. In a short time the ground was developed and a [[pavilion]] erected but the organisation was plagued with financial difficulties and very soon dissolved with hockey disbanding and Abingdon Rugby remaining at the site as tenants to the cricket club. In the mid-1980s a determined effort was made to acquire grounds and a clubhouse dedicated to rugby. In 2022 Abingdon Womens Rugby Club known as “The Albatrosses” was formed and they currently play in the Inner Warrior League.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The current base at the town's Southern Sports Park was opened by former Abingdon MP [[John Patten, Baron Patten|John Patten]] in 1989. Abingdon has had members representing the county, progressing to first-class level and on to international status in the [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] Tournament. The Abingdon Sevens traditionally opens the Home Counties' playing season and has attracted sides from throughout the country and beyond. Initiated in 1956 as a one-off tournament to celebrate the town's 400th anniversary of receiving a [[Royal Charter]], it proved so successful that the competition has been held on an annual basis ever since. Several years ago it was decided to introduce the youngsters of Abingdon to Club Rugby. The Youth Section has 200 playing members from the ages of 6 to 18. In 2013–14 Abingdon RFC's president, Paul Murphy MBE, was also the president of the [[Rugby Football Union|RFU]]. Since 2016, [[Oxford Rugby League]] have played in Abingdon at [[Abingdon School]]'s [[Tilsley Park]].

==Economy==
The Pavlova and Gloria [[leather work]]s were major employers but both are now closed. [[Alfred Booth and Company]] of [[Liverpool]] traded with the Pavlova Leather Syndicate from 1860,<ref name=Booth>{{cite web |url=http://www.boothandco.com/history.php |title=History |publisher=Booth and Co |year=2014 |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402185907/http://www.boothandco.com/history.php |url-status=live }}</ref> bought a share in it in 1917–18{{sfn|John|1959|p=116}} and took it over in 1921.{{sfn|John|1959|p=130}} In May 1947 at the annual [[British Industries Fair]] in [[Birmingham]], Pavlova advertised doe skins, [[chamois]], lambskins and goatskins, much of it as [[suede]], for uses including shoes, gloves and belts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Pavlova_Leather_Co |title=Pavlova Leather Co |date=1 November 2008 |work=Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750–1960s |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090234/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Pavlova_Leather_Co |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1958 Pavlova's site covered {{convert|35|acre}}, employed neary 200 people and included a staff sports field. At that time its factory still processed imported skins of sheep, lamb and goat, mainly to make suede.{{sfn|John|1959|p=186}} Garner Group took over the Booth Group in 1979 and became Garner Booth. Pittards plc took over Garner Booth in 1987 and became Pittard Garner. It closed the Pavlova works in 1993.<ref name=Booth/>

Abingdon was originally home to the [[Morland Brewery]], whose most famous ale was [[Old Speckled Hen]], named after an early [[MG Cars|MG]] car. [[Greene King Brewery]] bought Morland for £182&nbsp;million in 1999, closed the brewery and moved production to [[Bury St Edmunds]] in [[Suffolk]]. The site of the brewery has been redeveloped into housing. The [[Malting]]s was demolished and is now a mixed residential area and council offices. In 2010, a [[craft brewery]], Loose Cannon, reinstated brewing in the town at the Drayton Road Industrial Estate and sells its beers locally, including on draught at some local [[public house|pubs]]. Abingdon is near several major scientific employers: the [[UKAEA]] at [[Culham]] (including the [[Joint European Torus]] (JET) fusion research project), [[Harwell Laboratory]], the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council|STFC]] [[Rutherford Appleton Laboratory]] and the new [[Diamond Light Source]] [[synchrotron]], which is the largest UK-funded scientific facility to be built for over 40 years. Many inhabitants work in [[Oxford]] or commute by rail to [[London]], from nearby [[Didcot]]. The [[British Army|Army]] now occupies [[Dalton Barracks]], which, prior to 1993, was the [[Royal Air Force]] station [[RAF Abingdon]].

Abingdon has a business park which has offices for several local, national and international companies including, until recently, [[Vodafone]] (acquired as part of its takeover of [[Mannesmann]] in 2000) and [[Northern Rock]] bank. The Science Park includes the global headquarters of [[Sophos]], an [[Antivirus software|anti-virus]] company. [[RM Education|RM]], an educational computing supplier, commonly refer to themselves as being Abingdon-based, which is technically true—even though their HQ is actually in nearby [[Milton Park]], Milton, they have an Abingdon post code (as does the rest of Milton Park). Penlon Ltd, a medical equipment company, have their premises on the outskirts of Abingdon (their previous site, near the former railway station, has been redeveloped as residential housing). Another major employer is the British head office of the German appliance company [[Miele]].

Industrially, Abingdon was best known for the [[MG Cars|MG]] car factory, which opened in 1929. 1,155,032 cars were made at the plant over the next 51 years until [[British Leyland]] closed it on 24 October 1980. Subsequent cars sold under the MG brand have since been produced either at [[Longbridge plant|Longbridge]] in [[Birmingham]] or at [[SAIC Motor|SAIC's]] factories in [[China]]. The company was founded in 1924 and moved its business alongside the Pavlova Leather Factory in 1929. By the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], MG was established as one of the most popular brands of [[sports car]] in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. After the war, the MG factory continued to churn out increasing volumes of popular sports car which were available at competitive prices but the factory closed in October 1980 on the demise of the ageing but still popular [[MG MGB]] range, and was demolished within months. The headquarters of the [[MG Car Club]], founded in 1930, is at 11 & 12 Cemetery Road, next to the old factory offices. A [[Thames Valley Police|police]] station was built in its place, which was later extended with the addition of more cells, as [[Oxford]]'s police station could not be extended further.

==Geography and transport==
[[File:Abingdon-on-Thames town centre directions sign.jpg|thumb|upright|A sign in Abingdon-on-Thames' town centre showing directions to nearby locations]]
Abingdon is {{convert|9|mi|0}} south of [[Oxford]], {{cvt|15|mi}} south-east of [[Witney]] and {{cvt|22|mi|0}} north of [[Newbury, Berkshire|Newbury]] in the flat valley of the [[River Thames|Thames]] on its west (right) bank, where the small [[river Ock]] flows in from the [[Vale of White Horse]]. It is on the [[A415 road|A415]] between Witney and [[Dorchester on Thames|Dorchester]], adjacent to the [[A34 road|A34]] trunk road, linking it with the [[M4 motorway|M4]] and [[M40 motorway|M40]] motorways. The B4017 and A4183 also link the town, both being part of the old A34 and often heavily congested. Local bus services to Oxford and the surrounding areas are run by the [[Oxford Bus Company]], its sister company [[Thames Travel]] and smaller independent companies.

Abingdon no longer has a rail service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/getting-here/getting-abingdon-thames-train |title=Getting to Abingdon-on-Thames by train |work=Abingdon-on-Thames |access-date=27 September 2016 |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911052216/http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/getting-here/getting-abingdon-thames-train |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in recent years, urban expansion has brought [[Radley railway station]] close to the town's northeastern limits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-southeastengland.php?cityid=E35001205 |title=United Kingdom: South East England, Counties and Unitary Districts |work=City Population |access-date=19 October 2018 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011708/https://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-southeastengland.php?cityid=E35001205 |url-status=live }}</ref> The small, primarily stopping-service, railway stations at {{rws|Culham}} and Radley are both just over {{convert|2|mi|spell=in}} from the town centre. Abingdon's eastern ring-road and newest suburbs are connected by footpath and [[cycleway]] from Radley.

Culham station was called "Abingdon Road" when it first opened in 1844, being the nearest station to the town at that time. It was renamed "Culham" when the Abingdon Railway branch line to [[Abingdon railway station]] was opened in 1856.<ref>{{cite news |title=Railway time tables |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |work=Oxford University Herald |date=28 June 1856 |page=15 |quote=Culham, late Abingdon Road}}</ref> That branch line initially connected to the main line at [[Abingdon Junction railway station|Abingdon Junction]], before being extended to Radley station when that opened in 1873. The branch line from Radley to Abingdon closed to passengers in 1963. The nearest major stations with taxi ranks are {{rws|Oxford}} ({{convert|6|mi|km|disp=x|/}}) and {{rws|Didcot Parkway}} ({{convert|8|mi|km|disp=x|/}}). All are managed by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]. Frequent express buses operate between the local railway stations and Abingdon, run by [[Oxford Bus Company]] and its sister company [[Thames Travel]].

==Governance==
[[File:Abingdon Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 6304527.jpg|thumb|The Guildhall: Meeting place of the town council]]
There are three tiers of local government covering Abingdon, at [[civil parish|parish]] (town), [[non-metropolitan district|district]] and [[non-metropolitan county|county]] level: Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, [[Vale of White Horse District Council]], and [[Oxfordshire County Council]]. The town council meets at the Guildhall on Bridge Street and has its offices in the adjoining Roysse Court.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldendar of Meetings 2024–2025 |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-25-meetings-calendar-by-committee-updated-1.11.24.pdf |website=Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/town-council/contact-us |website=Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council |date=3 February 2021 |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> Parts of the Guildhall date back to the 15th century, having been originally part of the Abbey complex.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Borough Buildings including Guildhall, Roysse's School and gateway at west end of Guildhall|num=1048109|grade=II|access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Oxfordshire Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council 2019 & 2023.svg|thumb|Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council's current composition following the 2023 local elections.]]
Control of the town council has passed between the Liberal Democrats and [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] in recent years. Elections take place every four years. After the [[2023 United Kingdom local elections|2023 local elections]], the political composition of the council was:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/news/town-councillors-elected-on-4-may-2023|title=Town Councillors elected on 4 May 2023|access-date=10 June 2024|date=5 May 2023|publisher=Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party !! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|18
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|1
|-
! colspan=2|Total !! 19
|}

The incumbent member of parliament for [[Oxford West and Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)|Oxford West and Abingdon]] is [[Layla Moran]] (Liberal Democrat).

===Administrative history===
Abingdon was first incorporated as a borough in 1556. The borough covered parts of the parishes of [[St Helen's Church, Abingdon|St Helen]] and [[St Nicolas Church, Abingdon|St Nicolas]]; both parishes also included rural areas beyond the borough boundary.<ref name=commissioners>{{cite book |title=First Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Municipal Corporations of England and Wales: Part 1 |date=1835 |page=3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7pNRAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA3 |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> The borough was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act 1835 |date=1834 |page=455 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/454/mode/2up |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>

The [[Local Government Act 1894]] directed that parishes were no longer allowed to straddle borough boundaries, and so a parish called Abingdon was created covering the same area as the borough, and the parts of the parishes of St Helen and St Nicolas outside the borough boundary were combined into a separate parish called [[St. Helen Without]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Local Government Board |date=1895 |page=233 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gFIwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA233 |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>

The municipal borough was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], which also transferred the town from Berkshire to Oxfordshire. District-level functions passed to the Vale of White Horse District Council. A [[successor parish]] covering the area of the former borough was created called Abingdon, with its council taking the name Abingdon Town Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1973/1110/made|title=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|publisher=[[legislation.gov.uk]]|accessdate=7 August 2024}}</ref> The parish was formally renamed to Abingdon-on-Thames in 2012.<ref name=Wilkinson/>

==Places of interest==
[[File:Abingdon Abbey, geograph.jpg|thumb|The Long Gallery at Abingdon Abbey]]
[[File:AbingdonBrBu02.JPG|thumb|[[Abingdon Bridge]] spans the [[River Thames]]. It was built in 1416 and much altered in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.]]
Of the [[Benedictine]] [[Abingdon Abbey]] there remains a [[English Gothic architecture|Perpendicular]] gateway and ruins of the mainly [[English Gothic architecture|Early English]] [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|prior]]'s house, the guest house and other fragments. Other remains from the former abbey include the Unicorn Theatre and the Long Gallery, which are still used for plays and functions including an annual craft fair. [[St Nicolas' Church, Abingdon|St. Nicolas' Church]], parts of which were built in 1180, is near the museum.{{sfn|Hoiberg|2010|p=33}} [[Abingdon Bridge]] over the [[Thames]], near [[St Helen's Church, Abingdon|St Helen's Church]], was built in 1416 and was widened or altered in 1790,{{sfn|Jervoise|1930|p=7}} 1828,{{sfn|Jervoise|1930|p=6}} 1927 and 1929.{{sfn|Hoiberg|2010|p=33}}{{sfn|Jervoise|1930|p=7}}{{sfn|Leeming|Salter|1937|pp=134–140}} Abbey Gateway between the [[Abingdon County Hall Museum]] and the Guildhall remains a point of local importance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/history/buildings/abbey-gateway-abbey-close |title=Abbey Gateway, Abbey Close |date=20 April 2013 |publisher=Abingdon Council |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413053719/https://abingdon.gov.uk/history/buildings/abbey-gateway-abbey-close |url-status=live }}</ref>

Abingdon has the remains of a [[motte-and-bailey castle]], which can be found to the north of the town centre surrounded by trees within a housing estate. Originally built of wood or stone, it was a fortification on a raised earthwork called a motte surrounded by a protective ditch. There is a [[Second World War]] FW3/28A [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]] by the [[River Ock]] near [[Marcham]] Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pillbox FW3/28A Abingdon |url=http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/23351/Pillbox-FW3-28A-Abingdon.htm |work=tracesofwar.com |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114110419/http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/23351/Pillbox-FW3-28A-Abingdon.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[gaol]], built by prisoners of the [[Napoleonic Wars]] in 1811, is on the south edge of town next to the [[Thames]]. In the 1970s the gaol was converted into a [[leisure centre]]. In 2011 the site was developed into residential and commercial premises. According to local legend, prior to its conversion in the 1970s, the gaol was haunted by the ghost of an eight-year-old boy who, after being convicted for arson in the mid-19th century, became the youngest person in the UK to be executed by [[hanging]].<ref>{{harvnb|Sullivan|2012|p=}}{{page needed|date=March 2015}}</ref>

The Roysse Room was the site of [[Abingdon School]] (then 'Roysse's School') from 1563 until it moved to its current site after an [[indenture]] by [[John Roysse]], who had been born and educated in Abingdon before he moved to [[London]]. The room is now part of the civic offices. [[St Helen's Church, Abingdon|St. Helen's Church]] dates from around 1100 and is the second-widest church in England, having five [[aisle]]s and being {{convert|10|ft|0}} wider than it is long. The [[bell tower|tower]] of St Helen's Church has a modern [[Change ringing|ring]] of ten bells, cast by the [[Whitechapel Bell Foundry]] in 2005 and hung in a new frame with new fittings by [[Appleton, Oxfordshire#White's of Appleton|White's of Appleton]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://odg.org.uk/history/onb/abingdon_st_helen.html |year=2009 |title=St. Helen, Abingdon, Oxon |website=Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100211/http://odg.org.uk/history/onb/abingdon_st_helen.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Abingdon's [[county hall]] by the main [[market square]], built in 1677–1680 reputedly by [[Christopher Kempster]], stands on columns, leaving the ground floor open for a market and other functions. It was once hailed by [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] with the comment "Of the free-standing town halls of England with open ground floors this is the grandest".<ref>{{cite web |first=Nikolaus |last=Pevsner |authorlink=Nikolaus Pevsner |year=1966 |url=http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-county-hall-museum |title=Abingdon County Hall Museum former website |accessdate=31 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104144128/http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-county-hall-museum |archivedate=4 November 2013}}</ref> It now houses the [[Abingdon County Hall Museum]] and is run by [[English Heritage|Historic England]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1199601|desc=County Hall and Market House, Abingdon |accessdate=29 April 2018}}</ref>

==Culture and folklore==
{{see also|Abingdon bun throwing}}
[[File:Abingdon Bun Throwing.jpg|thumb|upright|Children running for a bun in 2006]]
Bun-throwing is an Abingdon tradition that began with the 1761 [[Coronation]] of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} This longstanding tradition of the town has local dignitaries throwing [[bun]]s (5,000 buns in 2018) from the roof of the [[Abingdon County Hall Museum]] into crowds assembled in the [[market square]] below on specific days of celebration (such as royal marriages, coronations and [[jubilee]]s). The museum has a collection of the buns, dried and varnished, dating back to bun-throwings of the 19th century. To date there have been 35 bun-throwing events. Since 2000, there have been bun-throwing ceremonies to commemorate the [[Millennium]], the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]] of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] in 2002, the 450th anniversary of the town's being granted a [[royal charter]] in 2006, the [[Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|Royal Wedding]] of [[Prince William]] and [[Catherine Middleton]] in 2011, the [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II|Diamond Jubilee]] of Elizabeth II in 2012, the centenary of the end of the [[World War I]] in November 2018 and the [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II]] in 2022.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Every October,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ffrench |first=Andrew |date=2023-10-09 |title=Rides are ready at the 'longest street fair in Europe' |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23842984.rides-stalls-ready-abingdons-michaelmas-fair/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=[[Oxford Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> the Abingdon [[Michaelmas]] [[Fair]] is run. Extending to the length of a mile,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Michaelmas Fair – the longest street fair in Europe – Abingdon on Thames Town Council |date=19 November 2020 |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/discover-abingdon/witness-a-living-tradition/michaelmas-fair |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref> the fair is thought to be the longest<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Tom |date=2017-10-09 |title=Everything you need to know about Michaelmas Fair |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/15584113.michaelmas-fair---everything-need-know-gets-way-abingdon/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=[[Oxford Mail]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ffrench">{{Cite web |last=Ffrench |first=Andrew |date=2024-10-07 |title=Abingdon's street fair now stretches to three days |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24635999.abingdons-annual-street-fair-now-runs-three-days/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=[[Oxford Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> and oldest<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Pete |date=2012-10-10 |title=Europe's oldest fair wows 30,000 visitors |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9974843.europes-oldest-fair-wows-30-000-visitors/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=[[Oxford Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> [[street fair]] in Europe. It runs through the Market Place, High Street, and Ock Street.<ref name=":0" /> The fair was originally a [[hiring fair]], designed to allow [[farmworker]]s from rural areas to find work in the town<ref name=":0" /> following the [[Black Death]] in 1348/9.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-03 |title=Abingdon Michaelmas Fair! – Abingdon on Thames Town Council |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/town-administration/abingdon-michaelmas-fair |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michaelmas and Runaway fairs – Abingdon on Thames Town Council |date=13 April 2013 |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/town-council/town-council-services/fairs |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The fair, previously run on the first Monday and Tuesday before 11 October each year, had its dates extended in 2024 to also run one day earlier, from the Sunday to the Tuesday.<ref name="Ffrench"/> The much smaller Runaway Fair is run the Monday following the Michaelmas Fair,<ref name="abingdon.gov.uk">{{Cite web |title=Runaway Fair – Abingdon on Thames Town Council |date=19 November 2020 |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/discover-abingdon/witness-a-living-tradition/runaway-fair |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ffrench |first=Andrew |date=2024-10-07 |title=Fair starts in town centre a day early |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24633715.abingdons-annual-street-fair-starts-town-day-early/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=[[Oxford Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> and was traditionally for workers who were unsatisfied with their employment after the first week, and sought to "run away" and return to the town to find better job opportunities.<ref name="abingdon.gov.uk"/> Abingdon has a very old and still active [[Morris dance|Morris dancing]] tradition, passed on since before the [[British folk revival|folk dance]] and song revivals in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abingdonmorris.org.uk/ |title=Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers |access-date=15 August 2006 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003102048/http://www.abingdonmorris.org.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mrhemmings.org.uk/ |title=Mister Hemmings Traditional Abingdon Morris Dancers – Maintaining the Tradition of Abingdon Morris Dancing |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414235027/https://mrhemmings.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Every year a mayor of Ock Street is elected by the inhabitants of Ock Street; he then parades through the town preceded by the famous [[Horns of Ock Street]], a symbol of Abingdon's Morris Dance troupe.

The Friends of Abingdon's Unicorn Theatre, housed in the old Abbey buildings, is the site of first productions of many stage adaptations of [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' novels by [[Stephen Briggs]]. [[Old Speckled Hen]] [[ale]] was originally brewed by [[Morland Brewery|Morland]]'s of Abingdon to commemorate the [[MG Cars|MG]] factory in the town. It continues to be brewed by [[Greene King Brewery|Greene King]] along with several complementary beers.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} The rock band [[Radiohead]] formed at [[Abingdon School]] in 1985.<ref name="MCLEAN">{{cite news |last=McLean |first=Craig |date=14 July 2003 |title=Don't worry, be happy |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dont-worry-be-happy-20030614-gdgxei.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001040219/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dont-worry-be-happy-20030614-gdgxei.html |archive-date=1 October 2019}}</ref>

==Abingdonians==
:''See also [[Abbot of Abingdon]], [[Abingdon School]] and [[List of Old Abingdonians]].''
*[[Ælfric of Abingdon]], 10th-century [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*[[Alexander of Abingdon]], late 13th-century/early-14th-century sculptor
*[[Sammy Chung]], British former football manager
*[[John Creemer Clarke]] (1821–95), clothing manufacturer (Hyde and Clarke), JP, MP, benefactor
*[[Oswald Couldrey]] (1882–1958), British artist, poet and author, attended [[Abingdon School]]
*[[Gerald Charles Dickens (actor)|Gerald Charles Dickens]], actor and great great grandson of [[Charles Dickens]], lives in Abingdon
*[[Kate Edger]] was born in Abingdon and became the first NZ woman graduate
*Saint [[Edmund Rich|Edmund of Abingdon]], 13th-century [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], was born in Abingdon, as were his sisters, [[Saint Alice]] of Catesby and the Blessed Margaret Rich
*[[Kate Garraway]], former [[GMTV]] and now [[Daybreak (2010 TV programme)|Daybreak]] presenter, born in Abingdon and attended [[Fitzharrys School|Fitzharrys school]]
*[[Michelle Goodman]], Pilot and First Female Pilot to receive the DFC (b. 1976), lives in Abingdon.
*[[Tom Hingley]], lead singer of [[Oldham]] band [[Inspiral Carpets]]
*[[David Jessel]], [[BBC]] foreign correspondent and justice campaigner, born in Abingdon
*[[Francis Maude]], [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] MP, born in Abingdon and attended Abingdon School
*[[Paul Mayhew-Archer]], comedy writer and actor. Taught drama at [[John Mason School]] and co-wrote ''[[The Vicar of Dibley]]''; currently lives in Abingdon
*[[Alain Menu]], [[World Touring Car Championship]] driver, lives in Abingdon
*[[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]], actor and comedian, attended Abingdon School
*[[Tom Penny]], professional [[Skateboarding|skateboarder]]: skateboards for [[Flip Skateboards]] and attended [[Fitzharrys School]]
*[[Radiohead]], the rock band, formed as students at Abingdon School<ref name="MCLEAN" />
*[[Dorothy Richardson]], novelist, born in Abingdon. She was the first writer to publish an English-language novel using what was to become known as the stream-of-consciousness technique.
*[[John Spiers]], [[melodeon (accordian)|melodeon]] player best known as a member of the band [[Bellowhead]] which broke up in 2016
*Stephen of Abingdon, 14th-century [[Lord Mayor of the City of London|Lord Mayor]] of the [[City of London]]
*[[Matthew Taylor (footballer)|Matthew Taylor]], footballer, grew up in the town and attended John Mason School
*[[Thomas Tesdale]], 16th-century local benefactor and eventual founder of [[Pembroke College, Oxford]]
*[[Henry Tombs|Sir Henry Tombs]] (1825–74), a recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], attended Abingdon School
*[[Oliver Tompsett]], [[West End theatre|West End]] star, best known for appearing as [[List of Wicked characters|Fiyero]] in the musical ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' at the [[Apollo Victoria Theatre]] in [[London]]
*[[Dean Whitehead]], footballer, was born in Abingdon
*[[Kit Young]], actor from Abingdon, attended Abingdon School

==Education==
[[File:Abingdon School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England-23April2011.jpg|thumb|Abingdon School]]
*[[Abingdon and Witney College]]: provides further education.
*[[Abingdon School]]: independent, 11–18 and [[Abingdon Preparatory School]] 4–13, forming the [[Abingdon Foundation]]).
*The Consortium: local authority, mixed, a partnership of schools including Abingdon and Witney College and the following secondary schools:
**[[Fitzharrys School]]
**[[Larkmead School]]
**[[John Mason School]]
**Europa School, UK which replaced [[European School, Culham]].
*[[Our Lady's Abingdon]]: private, mixed, 3–18.
*School of [[St Helen and St Katharine]]: private, girls, 9–18.

==International relations==
Abingdon is [[Sister cities|twinned]] with:
* [[Argentan]], France<ref name="Abingdon-on-Thames Twin Towns">{{cite web |url=http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/discover-abingdon/our-twin-towns |title=Abingdon-on-Thames Twin Towns |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-date=23 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323044500/http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/discover-abingdon/our-twin-towns |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Sint-Niklaas]], Belgium<ref name="Abingdon-on-Thames Twin Towns"/>
* [[Schongau, Bavaria|Schongau]], Germany<ref name="Abingdon-on-Thames Twin Towns"/>
* [[Lucca]], Italy<ref name="Abingdon-on-Thames Twin Towns"/>

==Freedom of the Town==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Town]] of '''Abingdon-on-Thames'''.

{{Incomplete list|date=August 2020}}

===Military Units===
*[[RAF Abingdon]]: '''1955'''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/feature-articles/abingdon-airfield |title=Abingdon Airfield – Abingdon on Thames Town Council |date=16 April 2020 |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806222333/https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/feature-articles/abingdon-airfield |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[12 Regiment RLC|12 Regiment]], [[Royal Logistic Corps|RLC]]: '''8 December 2010'''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11425537 |title=Oxfordshire troops return from Afghanistan |date=28 September 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131201758/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11425537 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Abingdon Monks' Map]]
*[[The Abingdon Sword]]
*[[Albert Park, Abingdon]]
*[[Our Lady and St Edmund's Church, Abingdon]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |editor1-first=PH |editor1-link=Peter Ditchfield |editor2-last=Page |editor2-first=W |editor2-link=William Page (historian) |editor1-last=Ditchfield |year=1907 |chapter=The abbey of Abingdon |title=A History of the County of Berkshire |volume=2 |series=[[Victoria County History]] |publisher=[[Archibald Constable]] & Co. |location=London |pages=51–62 |chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40056 |access-date=7 February 2011 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709234152/http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40056 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |editor1-first=PH |editor1-link=Peter Ditchfield |editor2-last=Page |editor2-first=W |editor2-link=William Page (historian) |editor1-last=Ditchfield |year=1907 |chapter=Hospitals – Abingdon |title=A History of the County of Berkshire |volume=2 |series=Victoria County History |publisher=[[Archibald Constable]] & Co. |location=London |pages=92–93 |chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40068 |access-date=7 February 2011 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709234415/http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40068 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite journal |last=Gelling |first=M |author-link=Margaret Gelling |year=1957 |title=The Hill of Abingdon |journal=Oxoniensia |publisher=[[Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society|Oxford Architectural and Historical Society]] |volume=XXII |issn=0308-5562 |pages=54–62 |url=http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1957/gelling.pdf |access-date=24 August 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718215504/http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1957/gelling.pdf |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |last=Gelling |first=Margaret |author-link=Margaret Gelling |editor-last=Cameron |editor-first=Kenneth |year=1974 |title=The Place-Names of Berkshire, Part II |volume=L |place=Cambridge |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] for the [[English Place-Name Society]] |isbn=0-521-20034-2 |pages=432–436}}
*{{cite journal |last=Harden |first=DB |year=1940 |title=The Geological Origin of Four Stone Axes Found in the Oxford District |journal=[[Oxoniensia]] |volume=V |publisher=[[Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society|Oxford Architectural and Historical Society]] |issn=0308-5562 |page=165 |url=http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1940/notes.pdf |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235716/http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1940/notes.pdf |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite book |last1=Healy |first1=Frances |title=Gathering Time: Dating the Early Neolithic Enclosures of Southern Britain and Ireland |last2=Whittle |first2=Alasdair |last3=Bayliss |first3=Alex |last4=Hey |first4=Gill |last5=Robertson-Mackay |first5=Reay |last6=Allen |first6=Tim |last7=Ford |first7=Steve |publisher=Oxbow |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84217-425-8 |editor-last=Whittle |editor-first=Alasdair |location=Oxford |pages=387–433 |chapter=The Thames Valley |orig-year=2011 |editor2-last=Healy |editor2-first=Frances |editor3-last=Bayliss |editor3-first=Alex |ref=none}}
*{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Dale H |editor-last=Hoiberg |year=2010 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Abingdon |edition=15th |volume=I: A-ak Bayes |location=Chicago, Illinois |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc |isbn=978-1-59339-837-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/33 33] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/33 }}
*{{cite book |last=Jervoise |first=Edwyn |year=1930 |title=The Ancient Bridges of the South of England |volume=I |location=Westminster |publisher=[[Elsevier|The Architectural Press]] for the [[Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings|SPAB]] |pages=6, 7}}
*{{cite book |last=John |first=AH |year=1959 |title=A Liverpool Merchant House: Being the History of Alfred Booth and Company 1863–1958 |location=London |publisher=George [[Allen & Unwin]] |isbn=0415381592}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Leeming |first1=JJ |author1-link=J. J. Leeming |last2=Salter |first2=HE |year=1937 |title=Burford Bridge, Abingdon |journal=Oxoniensia |volume=II |publisher=[[Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society|Oxford Architectural and Historical Society]] |issn=0308-5562 |pages=134–140 |url=http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1937/leeming.pdf |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194237/http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1937/leeming.pdf |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |last=Meyrick |first=Ian |year=2007 |title=Oxfordshire Cinemas |series=Images of England |place=Brimscombe Port |publisher=[[Tempus Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7524-4333-1 |pages=29–35}}
*{{cite book |last1=Mills |first1=AD |last2=Room |first2=A |title=A Dictionary of British Place-Names |year=2003 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-852758-6}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Page |editor1-first=W |editor1-link=William Page (historian) |editor2-last=Ditchfield |editor2-first=PH |editor2-link=Peter Ditchfield |year=1927 |chapter=The borough of Abingdon |title=A History of the County of Berkshire |series=Victoria County History |volume=4 |location=London |publisher=The St Katherine Press |pages=430–451 |chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=62745 |access-date=7 February 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204334/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=62745 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |last=Pevsner |first=Nikolaus |author-link=Nikolaus Pevsner |series=[[The Buildings of England]] |title=Berkshire |year=1966 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |location=Harmondsworth |pages=51–60}}
*{{cite book |last=Sullivan |first=Paul |year=2012 |chapter=Legends, Superstition and the Supernatural – Grave News |title=The Little Book of Oxfordshire |location=Stroud |publisher=[[The History Press]] |isbn=978-0752477381}}
*{{cite journal |last=Zeuner |first=FE |author-link=F. E. Zeuner |year=1952 |title=A group VI neolithic axe from Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire |journal=Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society |volume=XVIII |issue=2 |pages=240–241 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] for [[The Prehistoric Society]] |issn=0958-8418 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9264615&fulltextType=XX&fileId=S0079497X00018387 |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091959/http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9264615&fulltextType=XX&fileId=S0079497X00018387 |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Abingdon}}
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Abingdon}}
*[http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/history Abingdon Council history]

{{Vale of White Horse}}
{{Oxfordshire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abingdon-on-Thames| ]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Former county towns in England]]
[[Category:Market towns in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Vale of White Horse]]