Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Abingdon Guildhall

The Guildhall, located in the centre of Abingdon, has a number of rooms ranging in size which can be hired at very reasonable rates for a variety of functions.

The main Abbey Hall, which can cater for up to 350 people is ideal for larger events such as banquets, weddings, dances, theatrical and musical productions, or public meetings and displays.

The historic part of the building houses the elegant Royce Room, Council Chamber, Bear Room and Abbey Room, which are also used for a range of social functions such as parties, receptions and dinners.

The rooms are also regularly used by local businesses for meetings, training and for presentations.

There are a number of public car parks within a few hundred yards of the Guildhall - please see our page on Car parks in Abingdon for a map and details of opening hours and charges. Service vehicles can access the Guildhall via a small car park to the rear of the buildings.

The Roysse Room, Abbey Hall and Bear Room have disabled access.

For more details of the rooms available, including the capacity, prices and photographs, click on the following links:

• Roysse Room
• Council Chamber
• Abbey Room
• Bear Room
• Abbey Hall

How to book a room

• You can download the booking form from the right of the page, fill it in and return it to Abingdon Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
• You can call the Guildhall on 01235 524085 and we will send you an application pack and further details
• Alternatively, you can call in to the Guildhall and speak to one of our staff who will gladly show you the rooms, answer any questions and help you through the application process.

For more information about how to book a room and information about charges please see the documents on the right.

Roysse Room

The Roysse Room is a splendid historic room with a fine plaster ceiling and panelled walls. It is popular for a wide range of functions, including parties, receptions and smaller dinners. It is also licensed for weddings.

For parties, receptions and dinners it can accommodate up to 70 guests and 90 for meetings and lectures.

The foyer to the Roysse Room is a popular feature as it can be used to set up a buffet to allow for extra space in the room itself. With ground floor access from Bridge Street and a serving hatch giving direct access to a large kitchen this is a room that is ideal for any event.

The cost of hiring the Roysse Room is £21 per hour.

The Royce Room, Abingdon Guildhall

Council Chamber

The Council Chamber, which was built in 1759, is perhaps the most outstanding room in the Guildhall. The Chamber, which is accessed by an 18th century staircase offers a unique and elegant setting for all types of functions, including for receptions, meetings, lectures and seminars. This is a historic room of unique character providing a special background for your functions.

The Council Chamber can accommodate 90 diners for receptions and 100 delegates for lectures and meetings.

The cost of hiring the Council Chamber is £21 per hour.

Council Chamber, Abingdon Guildhall

Abbey Room

This splendid room is situated above the 15th Century Abbey Archway and was until 1803 the town gaol. The present Abbey Room was created in 1823 and can seat up to 40 guests for receptions and lectures. It has a large antique dining table in the centre of the room which makes it ideal for meetings, for up to 20 delegates.

The cost of hiring the Abbey Room is £12.60 per hour.

The Abbey Room, Abingdon Guildhall

Bear Room

This is named after the Bear Club which founded in 1767 and who used the room as a meeting room. Ideal for small meetings and business discussion, a large conference table forms the centre piece of the room and can accommodate up to 18 people. Alternatively, the room can be set out for small lectures and displays for up to 30 people.

The cost of hiring the Bear Room is £12.60 per hour.

The Bear Room, Abingdon Guildhall

Abbey Hall

Opened in 1975, this purpose-built hall can accommodate up to 350 people for plays and public meetings. For larger dinner functions and wedding receptions it can seat 250.

The hall has a large stage with theatrical lighting and dressing rooms (for hire separately). There is an integral bar which is included with the hire of the hall as appropriate and a large kitchen equipped with a service lift. A lift and ramp give access to the hall from the car park and there are toilet facilities for disabled customers on the ground floor.

The cost of hiring the Abbey Hall is £42 per hour.

Abbey Hall, Abingdon Guildhall