A guide to Banbury

Did you know?

  • 1.
    Daventry town has a largely pedestrianised shopping area and a large country park with lake, nature walks, adventure playground and cafe within walking distance of the town.
  • 2.
    Charles Dickens stayed at the Saracen’s Head, Towcester, and wrote about it in Pickwick Papers and Queen Victoria is rumoured to have stayed here when still a princess.
  • 3.
    Chipping Norton and Chipping Campden were the major wool markets of the Cotswolds. The first dinosaur bone was found just outside Chipping Norton in 1676.

Banbury Area

Banbury is a thriving market town steeped in history. Mostly remembered for having a thriving cattle market, Banbury is now a leading industrial location with many small and large businesses based here. Communications are excellent, making Banbury a key location both residentially and for local and regional businesses. Families and professionals can access a wealth of schools, clubs, sporting facilities, shopping centres, cultural locations and other large towns and cities.

Surrounding Villages

  • Great Tew
    A classic English estate village nestled in the Cotswold Hills and north Oxfordshire countryside, about 5 miles north-east of Chipping Norton and 8 miles south-west of Banbury. The village comprises of traditional stone and thatched properties. There is an excellent primary school, pub and active cricket club and community hall, with the extremely popular Soho Farmhouse private members club.
  • Hook Norton
    Approximately 4.5 miles north-east of Chipping Norton and close to the Cotswold Hills. The popular village is vibrant and busy with its own village stores, library, butcher and two pubs. The properties are mostly traditional and vary in size making the village attractive to people of all ages. The Hook Norton brewery is famed in the area, supplying beer to many local pubs and restaurants.
  • Towcester
    Set in the beautiful South Northamptonshire countryside is the vibrant market town of Towcester offering residents and visitors with an abundance of independent shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs. Towcester’s historic sites and open spaces can be explored easily on foot or bicycle and there are pleasant walks along the River Tove.
  • Bloxham
    The village boasts two senior schools with ‘The Warriner School’ part of the Warriner Multi Academy Trust and ‘Bloxham School’ a co-educational boarding and day school. The village has an excellent range of day to day amenities including a Co-op, three pubs, a pharmacy, doctor’s surgery and an outstanding fish and chip shop as well as a very active local community.
  • Brackley
    An ancient market town in South Northamptonshire on the borders of Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. Railway services are available in nearby Banbury and Bicester. There are four primary schools, a comprehensive secondary school and a private pre/prep school. Brackley has excellent sports and leisure facilities which include the newly constructed leisure centre complete with martial arts, badminton and swimming pool.

Lifestyle

  • Shopping

    Banbury has a large shopping centre, Castle Quay, which has a wide range of shopping facilities.

    On the High Street and Parsons Street, there is a combination of independent boutiques, jewellers, butchers, pubs, restaurants and cafes. On the outskirts of Banbury there are two large retail parks with an excellent selection of shops.

  • Eating

    Pizza Calzone

    Award winning restaurant offering mouth-watering Italian dishes and creative cocktails. Enjoy the great atmosphere with friends, family, or book for events.

    Siam House

    Family run restaurant with a loyal following among locals serving excitingly delicious Thai dishes with vegetarian friendly options.

    Purple Mango

    Renowned restaurant with a menu full of your familiar Indian favourites as well as unique but equally popular dishes to try.

  • Drinking

    White Horse

    Beloved community pub with a hands on, personal approach to all customers where the staff pride themselves in remembering regular customers’ preferences.

    Moon & Sixpence

    Situated in the beautiful North Oxfordshire village of Hanwell, this popular pub and restaurant serves a quality modern English menu with a touch of French cuisine.

    The Crown & Tuns

    Puddingface, The Pie Place – Known locally as ‘the pie pub’, this pub serves irresistible home-made pies, real ales and wines, and has been around since Henry VIII times.

Travel

  • Trains

    From Banbury to London Marylebone 65 minutes, from Banbury to Birmingham 51 minutes, from Banbury to Oxford 20 minutes, from Banbury to Reading 48 minutes.

  • Other transport

    From Banbury it is easy to access the M40, A43 and A46. This gives excellent access to many surrounding business centres including Coventry, Warwick/Leamington, Northampton, Oxford and London.


    Airports

    Banbury to London Heathrow (T5) 65miles, London Gatwick 102 miles, Birmingham International 41 miles.