An excellent Dog Walk in Abingdon Abbey Gardens and River Thames

This short circular walk weaving through the Abbey Gardens, Abbey Meadow, Abingdon Lock and alongside the River Thames is an excellent option for a dog walk in Abingdon. There is so much to see in just over 2 km, a tapestry of sights and sounds that kept our girls excited and occupied.

Now that Pequi is recovering, we resumed our hiking adventures, and we picked this picturesque route not far from home, marking our first escapade of the year.

Distance	Total Time	Difficulty
2.27 km	00:40	Easy

The abbey has a handsome garden with ornamental flowers and a statue of Queen Victoria, and it is also the location of the medieval abbey. The outlines of the abbey’s foundations, revealed by archaeologists, are etched into the grass, inviting you to imagine the grandeur of a bygone era.

We parked at the Civic car park (Postcode OX14 3JG) opposite the Waitrose car park. Though parking here is economical (free for the first hour and a mere £1.50 for two), the nearby Cattle Market car park (Postcode OX14 3JT) might offer a more direct route for those following our footsteps.

When we left the car, we turned right in the small roundabout, crossed the Cattle Market car park, arriving at the Abbey Gardens gate.

Don’t forget to check the post notes at the bottom of the page, with maps, a detailed table about the hike and links to everything mentioned in the post.

The Hike

We started the hike at the Abbey Gardens gate, arriving at the Formal Garden, a lovely circle made from several flower beds surrounded by trees and benches. It is a very tranquil space.

Wandering towards the Old Abbey House, we emerged onto Abbey Close, continuing towards Bridge Street. This section is very pretty, with old buildings and a vibe of medieval times.

The gang turned left at Bridge Street and crossed the River Thames, where the ambiance shifts from urban hustle to serene riverside calm. After crossing the bridge, we turned left again, following the path by the river. We saw loads of people walking their dogs.

At the end of the path, we got to Abingdon Lock, where we crossed the river again and got into the Abbey Meadows, waking by the stream. This was probably the trail’s highlight, and the girls were excited by the ducks and swans.

We continued the path, and after passing by the meadow playground on our left, we crossed a small bridge and into the Abbey Gardens again.

Here we saw the Queen Victoria statue and exited the garden using the same gate where we started.

Overall, I think it was a great dog walk in Abingdon very easy and there were plenty of dog waste bins. There’s undoubtedly more to explore in this charming part of town, and we’re already planning a return for a longer adventure.

Cheers,

Ademar