💷 Free entry
Abingdon County Hall Museum
Free local-history museum in a grand 17th-century building in Abingdon, with a climbable rooftop.
✦ We visited
Pay the small extra for the rooftop, the views over Abingdon are the best bit. Pick up a family trail at the desk to keep older kids hunting.
Abingdon County Hall Museum sits inside one of the finest 17th-century town halls in England, right in the market place. Entry to the museum is free and it tells the story of Abingdon and the surrounding area through local-history displays, archaeology, fossils and changing exhibitions. It is a compact indoor visit that works well on a wet day or alongside a trip into town.
The standout for many families is the rooftop, reached by a climb up the old stairs and opened for a small charge. From the top there are wide views across Abingdon and the Thames Valley, and it is the spot from which buns are famously thrown to the crowds during the town's bun-throwing celebrations. Inside, there are usually hands-on elements and family trails to keep children engaged.
It suits primary-age children and older more than toddlers, given the historical focus, but it is free, central and easy to combine with the market and riverside.
Good for: history, rainy-day. Ages: 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
Is Abingdon County Hall Museum free?
Yes, museum entry is free, with only a small charge to go up to the rooftop.
Can you go on the roof of the County Hall?
Yes, the rooftop is open for a small charge and gives wide views over the town and river.
How long do you need at the museum?
Around a couple of hours, including the rooftop, covers the displays comfortably.