Buns at the Museum - a history of throwing buns

Abingdon Museum has a special bun throwing exhibition this month.

Abingdon Museum has created a special exhibition titled "Buns at the Museum - a history of throwing buns" as part of the upcoming Heritage Open Days at the museum between the 11th and 19th September.

Check out the Abingdon County Hall Museum website for more information.

The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.

The tradition of bun throwing sees the mayor and other dignitaries climb to the top of the old County Hall to throw hundreds or thousands of currant buns down to the townsfolk gathered in the market place below.

A visit to Abingdon's County Hall Museum

On Saturday we were back in my home town and visited the County Hall Museum.

If you visit the museum make sure to also check out the Mouse Hole Cafe below it for more exhibits

The Market Place was being used as a Christmas tree drop off and chipping point on Saturday

It's always nice to have a look around, see what's new and also have a look at the Bun Throwing exhibits.

Information on the town's unique custom of Bun Throwing

Buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion 

As it's winter the rooftop isn't open to visitors, however you can still climb the stairs and get a fairly good view of the town and the surrounding area from inside.

A look down at the Market Place

A view of the rooftop looking towards St Nicolas Church

A view looking south of Abingdon

Abingdon-on-Thames has a brewing heritage and was for many years the home to Morland Brewery.

A Morland Brewery Plaque and Sign

You can still see old Morland Brewery plaques on pubs and lost pubs around the town and further afield.

A Morland Brewery Plaque at the Old Anchor Inn beside the River Thames

Can you see the Morland Plaque on this lost pub building at St Aldate's in Oxford

A closer look at the plaque in Oxford

One of the exhibits caught my eye as I hadn't heard of Bun Thrower ale before!

One of the recent exhibits was about the Michaelmas fair that stretches from the Market Place to the end of Ock Street. I haven't been to the annual street fair since 1999 as I moved from Abingdon in the year 2000, but it was nice to see the old photos showing scenes from years gone by. Hopefully I'll get back for the event this year.

Check out the Abingdon County Hall Museum website for more information and opening times.

The old County Hall and Market Place lit up for the festive season on Friday evening

Abingdon County Hall Museum

A visit to Abingdon-on-Thames.

In the market place in front of Abingdon's former County Hall

On a recent visit to my old home town of Abingdon-on-Thames I was very pleased to see that the roof of the County Hall Museum is now open to visitors.

Up on the roof

I remember going up on the roof when I was younger, but access wasn't regularly available as it is now.

Looking north. Among the images on the display board is a crowd scene from the 2011 Bun Throwing. It was great to be able to pick us out in the crowd too

It's great to be able to stand on the rooftop, and look down from the spot where the Mayor and dignities gather at Bun Throwing events to throw the currant buns to the townsfolk below.

The County Hall was built by Christopher Kempster between 1678 & 1683. Renovation and repairs of the building were completed in 2012.

Part of the renovation work at the museum has seen a new coffee shop open in the basement of the hall - Buns in the Basement. It's the sister cafe to Throwing Buns, a tearoom next to the county hall.

A miniature version of the county hall - and some buns - next to the stairway down to Buns in the Basement

This was the first time I've been into the depths of the building and it was interesting to see a big working water pump in the basement, along with some history on the town's water supply.

The rear of the county hall. The basement is now home to a coffee shop called Buns in the Basement

Abingdon County Hall Museum is well worth a visit. I picked up some great postcards while there and also saw a World War 1 book written by my old college lecturer Bob Frampton! Check out the museum's website and Twitter feed for more information.

One of the special Bun Throwing displays in Abingdon County Hall Museum

Links:
- Abingdon County Hall Museum
- Abingdon County Hall Museum on Twitter
- Buns in the Basement

Related blog posts:
- Bun Throwing
- Abingdon-on-Thames
- Abingdon-on-Thames celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a Bun Throwing