Accessibility

The Market Place is an open pedestrian space managed by the Town Council. There are cobbles across some of the space which can be difficult to run a wheeled buggy or scooter across but there are paths with a smoother surface which run around the edge and across the middle of the space, crossing each other in the centre, so it is possible to access most of the area. There are no public toilets here.

Parking and Dropping Off

There is no parking on the Market Place.

When attending an event in the Market Place you should park in one of the town car parks listed in the webpages of the District Council here.  There is not much difference between them as regards walking distance to the Market Place. If coming from Culham side of the town the Rye Farm and Hales Meadow allow you to avoid having to enter the one-way system around the town at all which can save five to ten minutes.

Dropping off and unloading can be carried out briefly in the service road alongside the Market Place. It lies in front of the Nat West Bank building on the West side. Having dropped off very briefly it is then possible to turn left after the bank building and use the space behind the shops to turn around but if you park there without permission you are likely to be clamped.

Travelling to us

Walking from anywhere in the Town Centre

The Market Place lies at the heart of the town where the High Street, Bridge Street and Stert Street meet. If you are at Hales Meadow or Rye Farm or coming from Culham direction, simply continue over the bridge and walk up Bridge Street. If you are on Ock Street head into the town centre (Eastwards) and if you are on Stert Street head South, walking towards the church clock, and turning right just before reaching it, at the pedestrian crossing, to pass through the small archway between the shops to find the Market Place on the other side. If you are in Abbey Close, walk through the ancient archway by the church to find the Market Place just ahead of you. Walking from Stratton Way is covered in the Public Transport section below.

Public Transport

Abingdon does not have a railway station.

Buses stop on Stratton Way from most directions including Oxford. As you step off the bus facing the railings and bus shelters, turn right to walk a few yards to the crossing point of the road. Cross over and walk straight ahead past the Town Council notice board into Bath Street. Take the second left turn to enter Bury Street shopping precinct and turn right to walk down Bury Street to the end where it meets the Market Place.

Cycling

Follow the marked cycle-ways around the town centre. Do not ride your cycle on Bury Street or in the Market Place.

If travelling by car from the A34 (south side) - Didcot/Reading/M4

Warning: Abingdon Town Centre is a 20mph zone
Exit the A34 at the (Abingdon S) Marcham Interchange with the A415 and follow signs for Abingdon Town Centre.
Proceed for approximately one mile crossing three roundabouts, to be eventually turned left at the traffic lights by Coxeter House. Follow around the curve of Stratton Way and choose the right lane if you are dropping off at the Market Place. Turn right at the lights into Stert Street. Proceed to the end and turn hard right into the High Street just in front of the imposing County Hall Museum. The Market Place is on your right and there is a small service road at the side - turn right in front of Allen & Harris. (Further information in Parking and Dropping Off section above.)
If you are not dropping off at the Market Place it is better to head straight for the car park you intend to use. See the Parking section above.

If travelling from Dorchester-on-Thames/Culham/Stadhampton side on the A415

Warning: Abingdon Town Centre is a 20mph zone
Coming from this direction it is advisable to use the car parks just before the bridge (Rye Farm or Hales Meadow) and walk across the bridge. (Continue straight up Bridge Street for a few more yards to reach the Market Place.) If you need to drop off then drive up Bridge Street, follow the road as it curves left into the High Street (not the sharp left which leads behind the County Hall) and turn right by Allen & Harris into the service road alongside the Market Place. (Further information in Parking and Dropping Off section above.)

If travelling by car from the A34 (north side) - Oxford/Bicester/M40 north

Warning: Abingdon Town Centre is a 20mph zone

Exit the A34 using Lodge Hill interchange (Abingdon N) and follow town centre signs. After passing Tesco Express there is a mini roundabout with a road coming in from the left. Continue straight into Vineyard passing the garage on your right. Turn left at the superstore sign for parking in the Abbey Close and Cattle Market car parks. If you need to get to the Market Place to drop off then go ahead one more block and turn left at the lights into Stert Street. Proceed to the end and turn hard right into the High Street just in front of the imposing County Hall Museum. The Market Place is on your right and there is a small service road at the side - turn right in front of Allen & Harris. (Further information in Parking and Dropping Off section above.)