Abingdon Old County Hall Museum, Abingdon on Thames, Oxfordshire

Details

Accessibility

"PLEASE NOTE: the museum galleries are only accessible by stairs. The lift from the pavement level, the Basement and Cafe are temporarily closed

Abingdon County Hall Museum recognises the physical access difficulties inherent in the 17th century County Hall building which has over 100 steps from ground level to the roof terrace. Until all floors of the Museum can be made more accessible the following facilities are available:

Wheelchair lift accessible from pavement level is situated between the County Hall Museum and Punchbowl Pub.

This lift serves allows visitors access to the Basement level only

In the Basement there is access to:

Museum Café

Toilets, accessible toilet and baby changing facilities

Kempster Room – the venue for schools’ workshops and family activity sessions

Display of the 1907 Crossley engines and water pump

On-line access to a selection of items from the museum collections through the eHive catalogue. To access this catalogue now Click here

Brief description

https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/abingdon-county-hall-museum/virtual-tour 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abingdon_County_Hall_Museum 

"Abingdon County Hall Museum (also known as Abingdon Museum) is a local museum in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. The museum is run by Abingdon Town Council and supported by Abingdon Museum Friends, a registered charity. It is a Grade II listed building, built as a county hall for Berkshire, Abingdon being Berkshire's county town.  It was to serve as the principal sessions house and administrative home for the Justices of the county. The county hall was designed in the Baroque style by Christopher Kempster who trained with Sir Christopher Wren on St Paul's Cathedral.  It stands on large pilasters with a sheltered area beneath for use as a market or other municipal functions and was completed in 1683.

The museum's collections were started in 1919. The museum has permanent collections and presents temporary exhibitions several times a year. There are also smaller exhibitions on local themes that are changed every month.  In December 2011, with the help of British Motor Heritage, the last MGB Roadster sports car, which came off the production line in Abingdon in 1980 was lifted through a window 30 feet up, for display in the museum's main gallery.  From 2010 to 2012, the museum and building underwent a two-year restoration programme, partly funded by the National Lottery. A new museum café was established in the basement."

Address

Abingdon County Hall Museum

Market Place

Abingdon

Oxfordshire

OX14 3HG

Email

abingdon.museum@abingdon.gov.uk

Phone

01235 523703

Website

https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/abingdon-county-hall-museum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abingdon_County_Hall_Museum

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abingdonmuseum
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abingdonmuseum/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbingdonMuseum
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/abingdonmuseum

Directions

"By Car – exit the A34 at the Abingdon South/Marcham turnoff, Exit towards Fairacres Park and continue onto Ock Street, which will lead you into the town centre. Parking is available at West St. Helen Street, Abbey Close and the Cattle Market carparks, which offer 2 hours free parking."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

"Entry to the museum galleries is free. The museum relies on the generous donations of its visitors to help support its core objectives: there is a suggested but non-compulsory donation of £2 adults, £1 children."

Transport

"By Bus – from Oxford: the X3, X13, City13, City5 and City23 buses offer a direct service to and from Oxford. Please click here  for timetables. From Wantage and Didcot, 32/X32.

By Train – Radley Station is available as a link service from Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Reading and Pangbourne stations. From Radley, the City35 bus offers a direct service to Abingdon Town Centre.

By Boat – Salters boat trips from Oxford."

Amenities

"In the Basement there is access to:

Museum Café

Toilets, accessible toilet and baby changing facilities

Kempster Room – the venue for schools’ workshops and family activity sessions"