Abingdon County Hall Museum

01/09/2026

Less than one week left to submit your creation for our next exhibition: 'Wildlife - Abingdon in a changing climate'.

Deadline: Monday 7th September 2026
👉📧[email protected]

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council
One Planet Abingdon
Abingdon Camera Club

Submission deadline 7th September 2026
Abingdon Museum invites local artists, photographers, content makers and creatives to submit artworks, photos, video or mixed media for an exhibition about the natural environment around Abingdon in a changing climate. We want to create a snapshot of our wildlife and wild spaces in 2026, through spring into autumn.

All works must be 2 dimensional. Send in photos of your work to [email protected], we have limited space to exhibit works in the Museum gallery but we will present all submissions via social media and digital gallery channels during the exhibition.

Exhibition dates 3 October to 23 December 2026

In partnership with local groups; One Planet Abingdon, Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Abingdon Naturalists Society, Green Gym & Abingdon Camera Club.
Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council

29/08/2026

Featuring some 🦆🐟🐌 by artist Kayleigh O'Donnell.
The exhibition 'Cherished Clay' is on view at Abingdon Museum until 27th September.

29/08/2026

We're having an open day at our Museum Resource Centre in Standlake on Sunday 13 September!

As part of Heritage Open Days we'll be opening the doors of our purpose built facility so you can find out what we do with all the items in our collection.

Pop along between 10am-1pm where we'll be holding handling sessions for all the family.

Our curator will also be holding talks at 10am and 11.30am so you can learn more about our archaeology collection.

You can also book onto a free 30 minute guided tour of the facility with one of our experienced team! Space on the tours is limited so booking is required.

More information, including ticket booking links for the guided tour can be found here https://brnw.ch/21x5iGo

28/08/2026

If you were thinking that the previous few Abbots' lives were a bit uneventful, don't worry, because this week we're looking at a truly film-worthy story: that of Spearhafoc, Abingdon Abbot from 1047/48 to 1051. In addition to having an amazing name, Spearhafoc was famed for his skill in metalworking and goldsmithing. Before his appointment as Abbot, he worked on some metal statues at St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, where Queen Edith of Wessex gifted him a golden ring. Unfortunately, he managed to lose it, but quickly prayed to a Saint Letard who was buried at St Augustine's, and the ring turned up! This underwhelming miracle was made more impactful by the gorgeous metal statues Spearhafoc made for the saint's tomb in thanks. It was work like this that brought him to the attention of King Edward the Confessor, who made him Abbot of Abingdon and commissioned a crown from him. In 1051, Spearhafoc received the Bishopric of London from the King, but this continued popularity was dampened by the Archbishop of Canterbury returning from Rome and claiming that the Pope himself did not approve of the appointment. A stalemate ensued. The Archbishop refused to consecrate him; the King allowed him to act as Bishop anyway. Everything came to a head later the same year when Spearhafoc lost some key allies, was expelled from London, and fled abroad. Scandalously, he took the precious metals and gems King Edward had given him to make the crown. Fame didn't work out for him, but we can only assume crime paid well, because despite absolutely tanking his English reputation, Spearhafoc was never caught. He was succeeded in Abingdon by Rodulf, Norman kinsman to King Edward, who served for all of one year before dying in 1052. Tune in next week for a double billing of Abbots Ordric and Ealdred!

21/08/2026

This week, we're all about Æthelstan, Abbot of Abingdon from 1044 to his death on the 29th of March in either 1047 or 1048. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a Sacristan, responsible for the care of religious vessels, candles and lighting, and clothing. He continued the Abbey's tradition of almsgiving in times of need. According to the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, 1057 brought "pestilence" to the people of Abingson and beyond; under Æthelstan's rule, vital food and drink was provided to all who needed it. He had a pretty uneventful tenure as Abbot, but this peace is going to be completely shattered with his successor, the wonderfully named Spearhafoc! Tune in next week to find out!

19/08/2026

Our Saxon Abingdon exhibition is proving to be popular! Come visit us to learn more about this fascinating bit of Abingdonian history. It will be available until the 19th of September.

14/08/2026

Back to our regularly scheduled bear posting! This week: Siward. Appointed in 1030, he served the Abbey until 1044 without much incident. Clearly he had done an impressive job, however, because in 1044 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Eadsige, fell ill and appointed Siward as coadjutor - effectively giving him the powers of the Archbishop, and setting him up to inherit the diocese upon Eadsige's retirement or death. Sadly in 1048, he became unwell himself, and returned to Abingdon only to die a few months later.
There's a bit of intrigue to this story. Apparently, King Edward the Confessor knew Eadsige was planning to take on Siward, as did a few select others; but the transition of power was kept secret until it actually took place, to avoid any other scheming bishops from seizing control!

14/08/2026

Reminder to get your submissions in for Wild Life! All entries must be 2 dimensional. Please email us at [email protected]. Selected entries will be displayed in person, but all entries will be available to view online. 🌿

11/08/2026

Don't miss out on Kayleigh Scotcher 's incredible exhibition in our Attic gallery! You might even make a new friend... 🦕🦖
The exhibit is open until the 27th of September.