The Portrait Benches project commemorates local heroes nominated by their communities by immortalising them as life-sized steel figures. You'll find them on National Cycle Network routes across the UK. This latest iteration of the project is in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Portrait Bench figures can be found on National Cycle Network routes all across the UK.
As part of the Portrait Benches project, we're celebrating Mieneke Cox, a highly respected local historian and honorary curator of the Abingdon Museum.
Route 5 of the National Cycle Network travels in sections between Reading and Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey.
This path also belongs to the Hanson Way, a route between Oxford and Didcot.
In nearby Abbey Gardens, look out for markings on the lawn. These lines represent the foundations of the medieval abbey which once stood here.
Don’t be fooled by the adjacent Trendell’s Folly, these ruins were created in the 19th century.
To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, local communities nominated heroes from their hometowns.
These heroes have been immortalised as steel figures along the National Cycle Network.
Explore the National Cycle Network
Find walking, wheeling and cycling routes near youCelebrating Abingdon's local heroes
Mieneke Cox
Mieneke Cox (1928-2009) was a highly respected local historian.
She studied history at Utrecht University in her native Netherlands before moving to Abingdon in 1958.
She was honorary curator of the Abingdon Museum, using local archives to create inspirational lectures and books on Abingdon.
In 1997, she was presented with the Mayor's Award for her contributions to Abingdon.
Local volunteers
Local volunteers and community group members are active in bettering Abingdon’s environment and beyond.
They give their time to take local action and tackle the challenges presented by the climate emergency through simple daily acts.
The work of these resident volunteers is helping the community towards carbon neutrality and improving resident wellbeing, waste reduction, and the biodiversity of our green spaces.
Their support and contributions will always be recognised and appreciated.