Access Update: Abbey Buildings Passageway Closure Near Abingdon County Hall Museum
Visitors planning a trip to the Abingdon County Hall Museum and the surrounding historic quarter should note a significant local access change. Starting July 21, 2026, the pedestrian passageway connecting Thames Street to Checker Walk—historically known as The Slype—is officially closed to the public.
Located directly by the medieval Abbey Buildings, this well-trafficked route has been shut down for health and safety reasons to accommodate ongoing restoration work on the historic structures. According to local updates, scaffolding is scheduled to go up alongside the buildings, and the thoroughfare is anticipated to remain unavailable for a duration of at least one year.
Navigating the Area Around the Abbey Buildings and Museum
While the popular shortcut next to the Abbey Buildings is temporarily out of use, visitors exploring local history can still access nearby landmarks, though walking routes between Thames Street and the riverside paths near Checker Walk will require alternative detours.
Planning your itinerary ahead of time can help ensure a smooth visit to the area's cultural highlights. To discover more local heritage sites, exhibits, and attractions across the region, you can browse through the Oxford museums list or check the interactive map view for alternative walking paths and nearby points of interest via Musemap (musemap.art).
