| Neighbouring Towns - Abington |
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 Abingdon has a very rich history. It is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in England and is on the west bank of the River Thames, some seven-miles downstream of the City of Oxford, Abingdon is an important and historic market town. Abingdon town centre contains an attractive and historic blend of buildings and architecture dating back from 1100 to the present day. The town’s pedestrian precinct and surrounding streets contain a wide variety of shops, restaurants and public houses, whilst a short walk takes the visitor to the attractive river frontage of the Abbey Meadow or the riverside moorings adjacent to the Abingdon Bridge. M.G. sports car was produced here until 1979. The town is now home to many thriving new industries, established on spacious, light industrial estates and Science Parks, including computing and the manufacture of scientific instruments and cosmetics. Its older industry of printing continues to flourish in the town. The traditions of the past are very much alive today in modern Abingdon as it hosts the annual Michaelmas Fair which is considered as the lagest fair in Europe and, one week later, the Runaway Fair. United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority opened a research establishment at Harwell in 1946 and many of their staff came to settle in Abingdon area. Joint European Torus Project (J.E.T.), also at Culham. Abingdon has become home for many families working there. For both residents and visitors Abingdon is large enough to provide good and varied facilities. In the year 2000 a Farmers’ Market was established on the third Monday of each month, and this is proving very popular in and beyond the town. In the Middle Ages Abingdon Market Place was the scene of some of the most important fairs in the country. These have as their origins the methods of hiring and firing labour in the period after the Black Death in 1348. There are other traditions which are important to the town. |
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