The archaeological evidence points to Abingdon being England’s oldest settlement and at the time of its great Abbey, it would have rivalled upstart Oxford. Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries dealt a blow to the town from which, one could argue, it has not recovered.

The buildings fell into ruin and the material was plundered, so little remains of the great Benedictine Abbey that was once larger than today’s Westminster Abbey, in that city, further down stream. Situated on a fine stretch of the Thames and with its interesting architectural heritage, the town is waking up to its potential as a tourist venue.

Abingdon has produced an attractive brochure that includes suggested town and river walks.

In the summer, the best way for a tourist to arrive is on a Salter’s steamer to Nags Head Island but at this time of year, visitors have no choice but to come by road, as Station Road no longer leads to a station!

If driving, I suggest you go straight head from Stert Street, over the medieval bridge, to the car park on the far side.

On the short walk back into the town, you can see views from south of the river, which have inspired fine artists.

The proof awaits you in Art and Artists of Abingdon, which is on at Abingdon Museum. You can compare your views of the river with those of JMW Turner and William Turner of Oxford.

Peter Gale, who has curated this exhibition, said: “There will be a mixture of the town’s own collection as well as a number of pieces lent by local collectors and national organisations.

Artists who have been inspired by Abingdon include Albert Newcome, William Blandford and JMW Turner. Side by side with their pictures is the work of contemporary artists such as Katherine Shock, Jax* and Peter Bellingham.”

Jax is an alias but the artist is not quite as anonymous as Banksy. Anyone who saw his work in the Jennifer Gerrard Gallery knows that he is Robin Mason. Unfortunately, Jennifer’s brave attempt at establishing a fine art gallery in Stert Street came to an end last year, but her business continues through her website and in Zeko Art Lounge in Bath Street.

Some of Jax’s paintings are of the museum building itself. The museum occupies the old County Hall. It was built as the county assize court and market house, between 1678 and 1682, by Christopher Kempster, a master mason who worked for Sir Christopher Wren on St Paul’s.

In researching for this show, Peter Gale has shed light on some interesting local figures including Oswald Jennings Couldrey (1882-1958) the artist, poet and author who established the Andhra School of Indian Arts and guided several Telugu artists, including Damerla Rama Rao and Adivi Bapiraju.

As well as a watercolour of the lovely Long Alley Almshouses, Abingdon, 1926, there is an album of Indian Memories, containing numerous works done while he lived in India.

Another notable character is William Teulon Blandford Fletcher. Fletcher lived at Northcourt, Abingdon, from 1917 until his death in 1936 and was one of an important generation of British artists of the 1880s.

He studied in Antwerp, painted in Brittany and in villages in England, and was associated with the Newlyn School.

Fletcher also painted genre or historical subjects, for example, Evicted (Queensland Art Gallery, Australia), painted at Steventon, near Abingdon, and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887.

Coming up to date, work by garden designer and artist Katherine Shock and illustrator Peter Bellingham are part of this interesting exhibition.

One of Katherine’s is of the impressive St Helen’s Church seen from East St Helen Street.

Today’s generation of Abingdon artists are obviously getting together in many different ways. The work of 12 artists from The East St Helen’s Group is on show just a few minutes drive away from Abingdon town centre, in the Sewell Centre gallery in Radley College.

Saturday would be a good day to visit Abingdon, because then you can see inside St Helen’s, with its medieval painted ceiling and historic chandelier.

Pick up a brochure from the information office just beyond the Abbey Gate (next to St Nicolas’ Church) and follow the town walk and view for yourself some of Abingdon’s architectural gems and then see them from an artist’s perspective in the town museum.

The historical timeline on display in the museum gives an unpainted picture of Abingdon through the ages from pre-history to the MG.

After lunch, possibly in Café Zeko Art Lounge or one of the expanding number of places to eat in the town, drive the short distance to Radley College, which is set in grounds designed by Capability Brown, and enjoy the work of the East St Helen’s Group.

Art and Artists of Abingdon is on until May 9, but the Radley show, open daily from 11am-4pm, ends on February 11.

For information on Art and Artists of Abingdon go to abingdonmuseum.org.uk or phone 01235 523703.