Abingdon County Hall Museum

The County Hall, completed in 1682, is on the south side of Abingdon Market Place. It was built by stonemason Christopher Kempster, who worked with Christopher Wren on rebuilding churches in London after the Great Fire of 1666. Originally used as a courtroom for the Berkshire Assizes, the County Hall has also been a venue for entertainment, and since 1761 the venue for the traditional ‘bun throwing’ to celebrate royal and civic events. A museum was first set up in the building in 1919. In 2012 the museum was extensively refurbished with new displays telling the story of Abingdon, from the Stone Age to the present. The top floor displays the fossil collection and objects from Abingdon’s history. The basement houses the Crossley engine, which used to pump water to the town’s residents. The museum also presents changing temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, plus Bank Holiday Mondays, 10 am to 4 pm. Entry is free. In suitable weather the roof terrace is open which offers splendid views over Abingdon and surroundings. Roof tickets are £2 (£1 for under-16s and English Heritage members).