Medieval Merchant's House, Abingdon
26 & 26a East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5EB
26 & 26 a East St. Helen Street is Abingdon’s oldest house and Oxford Preservation Trust’s too.... The property was left to Oxford Preservation Trust by Miss Baker in the 1970s. The building dates from c.1430 and contains vibrant 16th-century wall paintings which cover the walls on the first floor, and a gallery lit by a timber window with its original intricate gothic tracery. We know that the two houses were once a single house and where the covered coach entrance has been knocked through, is where there was once an open fire – this house dates back to before the invention of the fireplace. Smoke blackening on the roof timbers gives us the evidence we need, and it is here that a child’s doublet was found, pushed up into the rafters – was it to ward off evil spirits, as was once the custom?
The Merchant's House will be opening as part of Abingdon Heritage Weekend: https://www.abingdonheritage.org.uk/
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1000-1600
Location & directions
26 & 26a East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5EB
- Contact on day:
- Stephen Dawson
- Telephone number:
- +441865242918
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Please be aware the Medieval Merchant's House is a historic building with access to the building over cobbles, and the wall paintings inside the building via a set of stairs.
