The Friends of the Abbey Buildings Trust have put the former curator’s house on the market. The house located at Checker Walk (incorporating 18 Thames Street) is grade II listed and is thought to be of 16th-century origins and much restored. The front downstairs room was also used as a changing room for the Unicorn Theatre and the office of the Friends of Abingdon but is not generally open to the public.
The sale of the house is an opportunity for someone to own an Abingdon landmark. For sale details see https://www.thomasmerrifield.co.uk/properties/12119143-checker-walk-incorporating-18-thames-street-abingdon-on-thames/.
This could be to release funds towards the enhancement project to make the next-door Grade I listed Abbey Buildings fully accessible, weather-tight and with adequate modern services to allow for all-year use. The Abbey Buildings project was granted round one development funding of £256,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its enhancement plans towards National Lottery Heritage Fund second round funding, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £2,500,000.
The Abbey Buildings were acquired by the Friends of Abingdon in the 1940s.
Is there an extra charge for the ghosts?
Just within the price range of most ordinary people 🤣 Not a criticism of FOA they need to raise as much as they can and get market value but a good argument for affordable social (council) housing. Could anyone on an average wage afford such a property?
Not everything needs to be affordable for everybody. Upkeep on a house like that must be astronomical … a very healthy salary would be essential as the purchase price would only the starting point for a lifetime’s financial commitment. I hope it is bought by someone who will love and nurture it, and feed the ghosts!
Agree. Whoever buys definitely needs to have cash to maintain it, it’s a historically interesting and beautiful building.
all that money to live near the eyesore of the abandoned hotel?
unless i’m getting my geography wrong.