With a history dating back to 1605, The Crown & Thistle is a Grade II listed coaching inn made up of three individual buildings clustered around a cobbled courtyard, framed by a 200-year-old wisteria. Set in the heart of the market town of Abingdon it is the ideal place for a break away to discover the history of the town and is just a short drive from the city of Oxford with its many historical buildings and world-renowned University.

Abingdon market town

Abingdon is cited as the oldest town in England. It has a wealth of historically significant buildings including the Abbey of St Mary’s, which was a centre of excellence in the cultural and religious life of Europe. There are guided walking tours that take in all the historical sights and last approx. 1.5 hours. Sitting in the heart of the town, the Crown and Thistle is a great place to stay to discover this historical market town.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is an impressive baroque-styled country house in Woodstock and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in the early 18th Century, it sits in 2000 acres of parkland with formal and walled gardens. Palace tours cover the State rooms with their collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture as well as the birth room of Winston Churchill, private apartments and staff quarters. A 25 minute drive from the Crown and Thistle

Highclere Castle

The Highclere Estate dates back to the 8th Century. The Castle as it stands today was transformed in 1842 and has since treated wounded soldiers in the First World War when it became a hospital and housed evacuees in the Second World War. Today it is familiar as the location for ‘Downton Abbey’ and many of the 300 rooms were used in the filming. Tours take place throughout the year. A 30 minute drive from the Crown and Thistle.

Oxford

Oxford is famous the world over for its university and place in history. Places to visit in the city include Oxford Castle & Prison, which explores the 1000-years of Oxford's History. The world-famous Bodleian Libraries opened in 1602 and are the largest academic libraries in the UK.  The Museum of Natural History houses the University's scientific collections of geological and zoological specimens, including the Oxfordshire dinosaurs and the dodo. Open-top sightseeing bus tours run daily. A 20 minute drive from the Crown and Thistle.