Open Heritage Days Weekend

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Visit the remaining domestic buildings of the medieval Abingdon Abbey – and experience life in Iron Age Abingdon!

Throughout the weekend you will be able to explore the Buildings using our informative leaflet and information paddles. Guided tours will be available on the Sunday at 10.30 and 11.30 am and at 2.30 and 3.30 pm. We will also be showing a short film in the Unicorn Theatre – with a focus on memories of productions in the 60s and 70s.

The Saxon Abbey of Abingdon was founded in the 7th century, sacked by the Danes in the 9th century, and re-dedicated as a Benedictine monastery in 953. It became one of the most cultured and wealthy monasteries of England and welcomed many royal visitors over the next 500 years, until being largely demolished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The domestic buildings were sold as commercial premises and over the next 400 years were successively a corn mill, a brewery and eventually slum dwellings. They were saved from demolition in 1944 by The Friends of Abingdon and after the first 10 years of repair and restoration they opened to the public; they have been open ever since, but the repair and restoration work continues. More information about the Buildings and their history can be found on our website.