The County Hall has dominated Abingdon Market Place since it was built between 1678 and 1682. It housed the Berkshire County Court on the first floor until all sessions were moved to Reading in 1868. It was then used for theatre, balls, lectures, and penny readings until the Corn Exchange was built in 1884 and took over these activities.
In 1928 a new use was found for the building. It became Abingdon Museum and has continued as Abingdon Museum for nearly a century.
There are permanent exhibitions of Abingdon’s long history ( Abingdon is the longest continually inhabited town in the UK, dating back to the Iron Age.) There are also temporary exhibitions so that even locals who visit a lot can find something new.
The staff are so welcoming and informative. It is open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday & bank holidays (closed 24 December to 2 January).
The future of the Abbey Cinema is in doubt. As usual the council is not helping. See – Our current lease expires on 30th September 2023. We have a 3 month window in which to decommission technical equipment, exit commercial relationships and comply with legislation in making staff redundant in order to deliver vacant possession which means that we need to enter into a new lease by 30th June 2023 or commence closure.
The council still refuses to deal with us directly, only via its consultant who has been awaiting instructions since January. The council’s solicitor is also awaiting instructions.
@Janet. Interesting, thanks.
It’s voting day tomorrow, I’d like to see a statement of intent from the council on here regarding this matter, no statement and I’ll vote for the other team just to throw a spanner in the works.
The Cinema like the Museum is one of the few jewels in Abingdon’s crown it would be more than a shame to lose it.
Pity the cinema doesn’t show weekend toddler/kid friendly movies like the mainstream multinationals do. Missed opportunity to attract local families