If you have hardly heard of Banbury, UK before, then we have a lot to talk about. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that this vibrant community in England’s lush Oxfordshire boasts fantastic potential as a business, tourism, and leisure destination. First things first, however. Before we proceed to discuss the numerous advantages of this cosy yet lively charming town, let us get to know its history.
The history of Banbury
Banbury boasts a rich historical background, which dates back approximately 1,500 years ago. It has always been a busy market town with flourishing industry and commerce due to its convenient location. Although it did face several halts in growth throughout the centuries and was even nearly destroyed by a major fire, in modern times, the place has developed at a steady pace and is now a much-eyed local business and tourist destination.
Banbury in the early days
The earliest Banbury settlement dates back to the British Iron Age at around 200 BC. The remains of a Roman villa near Wykham Park point to the fact that the Romans inhabited the area for a certain period. The Saxons arrived in the late 5th century AD and started developing under Danish influence about three centuries later. In Roman and Anglo-Saxon times, Banbury served as a focal point for the local salt transportation due to its strategic location on the junction of two major roads – the Salt Way and Banbury Lane.
In the mid centuries, Banbury prospered thanks to the local trade in wool, ale, and cheese. The town did suffer a severe misfortune caused by the Plague in 1348–49, which killed almost half of its inhabitants. However, it quickly recovered, and its population steadily grew for the next 300 years.
Banbury in the modern times
The town was severely affected by a massive fire in 1628 but managed to survive the hardship and thrive onwards. In 1779, the Oxford Canal arrived in Banbury only to boost its growth and economic development. In the following Victorian times, the local infrastructure and buildings significantly improved. This led to a general increase in well-being.
Fast-forward several decades, and Banbury started growing even more rapidly. In the 1930s and 1940s, many new housing projects emerged to accommodate the newcomers from the London overspill. The town developed even more quickly in the 9070s thanks to the completion of the M40 motorway. The new road allowed faster access to London and Birmingham, which led to increased population and economic opportunities.
Location, transport, and infrastructure of Banbury, UK
Banbury boasts a convenient location close to several major UK cities. The capital London lies at a distance of 64 miles (103 km), and Birmingham is just 38 miles (61 km) away. Coventry is situated at 27 miles (43 km), and Oxford is at 21 miles (34 km).
Transport and infrastructure are excellently developed in Banbury. A railway station links the town to Warwick, Birmingham, London (Marylebone and Paddington), Reading, Southampton, Basingstoke, Manchester, and Newcastle.
The local bus services are also quite convenient. There are regular coaches both within the town and linking it to other major UK towns and cities. The M40 motorway is an easy and speedy route if you travel by car, and cruising along the Oxford Canal is a great choice for tourists.
Industry and Commerce in Banbury, UK
Thanks to its convenient location and the excellently developed local economy, Banbury is increasingly becoming a popular Oxfordshire business destination. The town boasts one of Great Britain’s lowest unemployment rates and possesses a strong entrepreneurial spirit. It also hosts the world’s largest coffee-processing facility Jacobs Douwe Egberts.
The Banbury Chamber of Commerce is home to the local business community. It has served as a major driving force in the establishment of the new Business Improvement District in Banbury town centre.
Motorsport in Banbury
Banbury is big on motorsport. Several leading companies from the industry have based their operations in the town. For instance, you can find here organizations like Prodrive, the largest motorsport and automotive technology provider worldwide. Arden Motorsport is also the famous UK multi-formula racing team founded by Christian Horner of Red Bull Racing. Besides, in the past, Banbury has been home to two Formula 1 team – Marussia and Simtek.
Places to visit in Banbury, UK
While Banbury may not be the first name that pops out of your head when you think about popular UK tourist destinations, this delightful Oxfordshire town has a lot to offer to its visitors. There are abundant opportunities for sightseeing, trips around nature and park strolling, shore excursions, culture tours, shopping, dining, and more. Below, you can find a list of some of the most recommended places to visit locally.
Leisure time activities in Banbury, UK
When it comes to fun and leisure, you can find many exciting opportunities to try in Banbury. Suppose you are in pursuit of new possessions, for example. In that case, you should definitely visit Banbury Gateway Shopping Park and Castle Quay Shopping Centre, where you can find all sorts of goods at pretty reasonable prices. The town also boasts quite a few cosy and charming antique stores.
Sports lovers have at their disposal a few excellent golf clubs and snooker and billiards venues. Paddling along the Oxford Canal is also a very entertaining and relaxing activity. Talking about relaxation, Banbury is big on SPA. There are abundant options to enjoy exotic massages, aromatherapy, and other stress-reducing procedures.
You can also try visiting an escape room or taking a class in cooking, crafts, and more. There are also thrilling hiking and camping tours, parasailing and paragliding options, and nature and wildlife observation activities.
Despite its size, there are a number of casinos and game halls in Banbury. These can be great places to start a night on the town and add a little excitement into your evening. If you want to do your research (and maybe even get in some practice) before you go, there are some great websites with everything from reviews to safety tips.
Broughton Castle
Broughton Castle is an amazing estate that is one of the only 20 five-star awardees in Simon Jenkins’ England’s Thousand Best Houses book. Its core was originally built in 1306. The gatehouse appeared in the early 15th century, and the rest was added in the 1550s.
The manor is set amidst a lush parkland and is built of the local Hornton ironstone. Broughton Castle has been the property of the Fiennes family since 1447 and is currently owned by the 21st Lord and Lady Saye and Sele.
Upton House & Gardens
Upton House is another famous sightseeing destination in the Banbury locale, only 7 miles (11 km) away from the town itself. This lovely country house built of the local yellow sandstone is under the care of the National Trust and has attracted visitors from around the UK and the world for many years already. It possesses an exuberant garden that fascinates with its landscape and extensive terracing. Besides the garden, the other most impressive thing about Upton House is the art collection assembled by Lord Bearsted. You can view quite a few intriguing art pieces, among which are a selection of early Shell posters, a one-of-a-kind Art Deco bathroom, a fine porcelain collection, and plenty of works from English and Continental old masters. Some of the latter include:
- The Duet or “Le corset blue” (mid-1660s) by Gabriël Metsu
- Self Portrait of the Artist Engraving (1783) by Richard Morton Paye
- William Beckford (1782) by George Romney
- The Interior of the Church of St. Catherine, Utrecht (1655–1660) by Pieter Jansz. Saenredam
- Martin Rize (1612) by Frans Pourbus the Younger
- Adoration of the Kings (c. 1495), a triptych by a follower of Hieronymous Bosch
- Bacino di San Marco, Venice (c. 1725–26) by Canaletto
- The Death of the Virgin (1564) (grisaille) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- Morning and Night, two of the Four Times of the Day (c. 1736), by William Hogarth
- The Labourers (1779), The Haymakers (1783) and The Reapers (1783) by George Stubbs
- The Disrobing of Christ (El Espolio) by El Greco (c. 1579) Massacre of the Innocents by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c.1565)
Sulgrave Manor
Sulgrave Manor has a fascinating history. This limestone rubble mid-16th century house was built by Lawrence Washington, the great-great-great-great-grandfather of George Washington, the first President of the United States. In 1914 it was bought to make a memorial to celebrate 100 years of peace between England and the US, following a proposal by the then-president of America Theodore Roosevelt. In the years to come, it was restored and is now a Grade I listed building.
The Fine Lady Statue
The Fine Lady Statue is a Banbury landmark you definitely need to visit should you happen to be in town. It was inspired by the popular Banbury Cross nursery rhyme, about a lady on a horse. It must be noted that no one is aware of the true identity of the lady in question. The four sculptors, Andy Edwards, Julian Jeffery, Carl Payne, and Denise Dutton, depicted a woman who was probably riding through Banbury on a May morning in the local May Riding tradition. The damsel wears a crown of spring flowers while dropping petals from her hand to bring good fortune and prosperity. Princess Royal unveiled the statue in 2005, and since then, it has become a must-see for all Banbury visitors.
Banbury Museum and Gallery
The Banbury Museum and Gallery is another one of the town’s most prominent venues. The museum dates back to the 1940s. An interesting fact is that from 1980 until 1999 the in-house collection was hosted in a historic building, which was originally built to serve the Poor Law Guardians. After that, it moved to a new, more spacious home in the renovated town centre, with the proper setting to host multiple large exhibitions. At present, the museum is conveniently located in downtown Banbury, close to the beautiful Oxford Canal.
The Banbury Museum and Gallery is an exciting destination for all art and history lovers. It is entirely family-friendly and allows you to see multiple artefacts from the Victorian market town, the local plush manufacturing, the Civil War, and more. On top of that, there are numerous regularly changing exhibitions to provide visitors with fresh experiences.
People’s Park
Banbury’s People’s Park is a 3-hectare garden that features a bowling green, bandstand, rose garden and gate piers. The most recent additions include an aviary, a sensory garden, and a children’s play area. The park has been a beloved part of the town for many generations of Banbury inhabitants. It is a place for peace, comfort, fun, and play.
The garden opened in 1919 to become Banbury’s first real park. Until then, the town did not have a dedicated place for rest and recreation among nature. Just like in the famous Banbury nursery rhyme, the opening event featured a fine lady riding a white horse. It is worth mentioning that the park largely owes its existence to the will of local chemist and businessman George Vincent Ball, who bequeathed funds to purchase the land. His will was to create a park for the “recreation of all classes of Banbury people.”
Fir Tree Falconry
Fir Tree Falconry is another outstanding Banbury attraction worth visiting. It is located in a magnificent valley north of the town and offers a wide array of experiences, such as owl evenings, hawk walks, photographic days, falconry lessons, and many more. The place is family-friendly, and you can bring your children to encounter the fascinating world of birds of prey.
Farnborough Hall
If you are into buildings and architecture, you should definitely stop by Banbury’s Farnborough Hall. The house was built of Hornton stone soon after William Holbech bought the land in 1684. Once built, the construction did not undergo any significant changes until the 1750s, when Holbech’s son, also called William, decided to introduce substantial modifications designed to create a suitable setting for his art collection. Thus, the famous rococo plasterwork appeared, along with a few other significant enhancements.
The garden went through some key changes around that time as well, which made it a magnificent place for rest and home to breathtaking views of the Warwickshire plain. It features a beautiful lake, a lush Terrace Walk, an Ionic temple with an oval pavilion, and an 80-feet (24 m) high obelisk. At present, Farnborough Hall hosts numerous collections, art exhibitions, local community events, and more.
Broughton Grange Gardens
Overlooking the astoundingly picturesque Oxfordshire valley, Broughton Grange occupies more than 400 acres of parkland, farmland, and open meadow. The site developed from a tiny cottage in 1620 that belonged to the neighbouring Broughton Castle to a genuinely fascinating modern garden in the current times.
The gardens boast a rich and intriguing history. In the early 20th century, they used to entertain prominent guests, such as Bertrand Russell and Lytton Strachey. The stunning landscape has significantly developed in present days, and the Broughton Grange Gardens have been open for public visits since 2004.
Other places to visit in Banbury
As you can see, Banbury boasts a lot of venues worth visiting. However, the above list is by no means exhaustive. There are plenty of other places to enjoy inside and around this lovely Oxfordshire town. Some of these include:
- The Banbury Cross
- Water Fowl Sanctuary and Children’s Farm
- Spiceball Country Park
- Deddington Farmers’ Market
- St. Mary’s Church
- Mid-England Barrow
- Banbury Town Hall
- The Mill Art Centre
- Deddington Castle
Dining in Banbury, UK
Dining options in Banbury are countless. You have many traditional country inns and pubs as well as classic restaurants. Ethnic food is definitely a thing here, so you can savour a taste of Italy, Mexico, India, Thailand, Lebanon, China, Greece, Japan, Pakistan, and more.
There are also abundant opportunities for those who prefer to grab a bite on the go. Fish and chips, burgers, wraps, kebab, spring rolls – they have them all in Banbury!
If you are into nightlife, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that the town is home to a multitude of top-quality nightclubs and bars, where you can enjoy live performances, DJ sets, and plenty of other acts.
Exploring the riches of Banbury, UK
By now, you must already have a pretty comprehensive picture of all the exciting opportunities Banbury provides. Whether you are interested in business and entrepreneurship or seek to enjoy some great fun-time activities, this lovely Oxfordshire town is a proper destination.
As obvious, Banbury has a lot to offer in many areas. The town has grown and developed immensely over the years, overcoming significant historical hardships like the Black Death, a massive fire, and the English Civil War. Culture, business, and social life seem to be flourishing, and Banbury’s potential is expanding by the day, making it an attractive destination for visitors of all sorts.