Totally "explored-out"

Saturday, 16 April 2011 08:00

Five days moored in Abingdon is about right to take it easy and explore most of the sights (or should it be sites?).

It has become busier over the weekend and narrowboats have been searching for moorings - no one yet has taken us up on our "moor alongside" sticker. All boats are encouraged to double up on the River Thames. I can understand the need in the busy months. The guidelines suggest: like boats with like boats, moor so that windows do not over look your neighbours and talk to them about access, time of leaving etc ....

So a final look at Abingdon ....

St Helen's Church is Abingdon's Parish Church and the one that can be seen from the River

Around it are three blocks of Almshouses - all of different styles and dates. The oldest are Long Alley Almshouses which are on the south side of St Helen's.

Long Alley Almshouses were built in 1446/7 by the medieval fraternity of the Holy Cross and are now administered by Christ's Hospital. The lantern and the outside porches were added in the early 1600s.

North of the churchyard are Twitty's Almshouses, built in 1707 with money left for that purpose by Charles Twitty.

Brick Alley Almshouses back onto St Helen's Wharf, built in 1718 and Grade l listed.

On St Helen's Wharf is the Old Anchor Inn and the gated entrance to the path to St Helen's Church, by the almshouses

Thanks to Mortimer Bones, I returned to look at the Abbey area and found the only remaining buildings, Abbey Buildings consist of the Checker, the Checker Hall (now the Unicorn Theatre) and the Long Gallery.

The Abbey Buildings and Unicorn Theatre to the right in the Checker Hall

The Checker

I could show you more - but you are probably ready to leave Abingdon behind too. (clickety click for our Abingdon photo album).  So we plan to move on tomorrow .....