Abingdon Circular Walk
This circular walk explores the area to the south of this pretty Oxfordshire town. There's nice waterside paths along the River Thames and a visit to the neighbouring villages of Culham and Sutton Courtenay.
The walk begins next to Abingdon Abbey in the town centre. The Abbey was originally founded in the 7th century is surrounded by the Abbey gardens which include ruins of an early 20th century folly. The monastic buildings include the Abbey Exchequer, the timber-framed Long Gallery and the Abbey bakehouse.
The walk first heads east along the Abbey Stream to a weir on the Thames. Here you cross the river and follow the path south, passing Abingdon Bridge and Marina before coming to the village of Culham. The pretty village sits on a bend of the River and includes the Grade II listed Culham Manor which dates from the 15th century. There is also the 15th century Culham old Bridge which is Grade II listed.
After exploring Culham the walk crosses the river at Culham Cut and proceeds to the nearby village of Sutton Courtenay. There's more fascinating old buildings here with a 12th century church and the 'Norman Hall' dating from the late 12th century. The Abbey or rectory house, dates from about 1300. The Wharf is also known as the former country residence prime minister H. H. Asquith. Asquith signed the declaration that took Britain into the First World War here. He is buried in the churchyard as is the famous author George Orwell.
After leaving Sutton Courtenay the route heads west towards Drayton before turning north to Oday Hill. You then head through Caldecott to return to Abingdon. Here you can enjoy a stroll through the Market Place and visit the splendid Old County Hall which dates from 1862. The 15th-century St Helen's Church and Long Alley Almshouses are also well worth visiting.
To continue your walking in the area you can head along the Thames Path east to Dorchester or north into Oxford on the Oxford River Walk. The long distance Oxford Green Belt Way also passes the town. Following it north west will take you to the pretty Farmoor Reservoir. The beautiful Harcourt Arboretum is also nearby.
Postcode
OX14 3HX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsAbingdon Circular Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Abingdon Circular Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Abingdon Circular Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Abingdon Circular Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Nags Head is in a great spot for some post walk refreshment. The pub is located on its own island next to Abingdon Bridge. There's a splendid large garden area where you can sit outside and enjoy a fine view of the river with your meal. You can find them at postcode OX14 3HX for your sat navs.
There's also several good pubs in Sutton Courtenay including the 16th century George Inn on the village green.
Dog Walking
The river and country trails make for a fine dog walk and the Nags Head mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the eastern side of the town you can pick up the Radley Lake Walk which explores a series of pretty lakes around the village of Radley. It's a delightful area with lots of water loving birds to look out for on the water.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Oxfordshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Abingdon Abbey. The abbey was a Benedictine monastery also known as St Mary's Abbey which was founded in the 7th century. It was one of the foremost of the English abbeys, and was estimated to be the 6th largest in the country when at the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1538. Only two groups of Abbey buildings survive today. One is the Abbey Gateway flanked by St Nicholas’ Church and the part of the Guildhall that was once St John’s Hospital. The other runs parallel to the Millstream, and includes the Long Gallery, the Checker, and what is now the Unicorn Theatre.
River view Abingdon. St Helen's church is visible. The riverside church's spire is one of the town's landmarks. The earliest parts of the church are late 12th or early 13th century. It is Grade I listed and includes an adjacent row of 15th century almshouses. The spire of St Helen's appears in a painting by J. M. W. Turner called 'Abingdon', although the main scene depicted is believed to be a view of Dorchester on Thames several miles away.
Nags Head Island. Taken from the Thames Path to the East of Abingdon Bridge. Nags Head Island is in the middle of the Thames, Abingdon Bridge crosses over the middle of Nags Head Island.
Countryside near Culham
Old Culham Bridge. The parish includes Culham Science Centre and Europa School UK, which is the only Accredited European School within the UK.
Path near Culham
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Grave of Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell), All Saints, Sutton Courtenay. As a child he fished in a local stream in the village. He requested to be buried in an English country churchyard of the nearest church to where he died. However, he died in London, and none of the local churches had any space in their graveyards. His friend David Astor was able to arrange his burial in Sutton Courtenay, a "classic English country village" as Orwell had specifically requested, as the Astor family owned the manor of Sutton Courtenay.
Abingdon Marina. The marina is one of the most picturesque in the country with private woodland on one side and an award-winning housing development on the other.