| 
Banbury lies at the heart of an informal region known locally as
Banburyshire. This stretches from Edge Hill to Deddington on the
Oxford side and from Hook Norton in the west towards Brackley in
the east. Much of the area is characterised by red soils and warm
brown buildings built in the local Hornton stone.
Present day visitors to the town will find a Victorian cross of
1859 where the High Street, Horse Fair and South Bar all meet. Earlier,
in the 17th century, crosses in other locations including the market
place had been pulled down by Puritans whose activities brought
to an end an age of cockhorses and maypole dancing.
Banbury is much older than this unfortunate incident in its history.
The story of the town is the tale of twin Saxon hamlets. Banesberie
and Grimsberie which were separated by the River Cherwell. The former
developed into a planned medieval burgh and eventually the granting
of a Charter of Incorporation on 26 January 1554 by Queen Mary.
The Charter gave the town the right to have a Common Coun cil
consisting of a Bailiff, 12 Alderman and 12 Capital Burgesses. In
1608 a second Charter was granted providing that the chief citizen
should have the title of Mayor. The Council was also empowered to
elect a High Steward, Recorder, Chamberlain and Town Clerk.
In the 12th century Banbury grew up around a market place, which
was defended by a castle (the second of three). Here the weekly
produce markets took place and fairs were held. A twice-weekly market
still survives and there is now also a monthly farmers’ market.
The annual Michaelmas Hiring Fair is now a three-day fun event each
October.
Elsewhere in the town centre, street names indicate that animals
were brought and sold in many widely separated areas. These included
Horse Fair and Cow Fair (now part of Bridge Street) renowned for
cattle. Banbury has retained many features of design and layout
of buildings and streets which have become associated with the market
town. Especially worth visiting are St Mary’s Church in the
Horsefair, the Vivers’ House (a 17th century half-timbered
house formerly the home of Edward Vivers, merchant & Quaker),
towards the lower end of the High Street, the Unicorn Inn, with
its yard off the Market Place and the Reindeer Inn off Parsons Street,
famous for the pre-English Civil War Globe Room. Other popular sites
are listed on the Banbury Town Trail, details of which are available
from the Town Hall or Tourist Information Centre.
Banbury now has a regional shopping centre called Castle Quay but
many visitors will also want to obey the call to ‘Ride a Cock
Horse to Banbury Cross’ and see the old town, which hosts
a variety of independently owned shops in pedestrianised streets
and lanes.
The famous Banbury Cakes, an oval flaky pastry delicacy stuffed
with dried fruit and spices, are still made to a secret recipe and
sold throughout Banbury in tea shops, delicatessens, the Tourist
Information Centre and on the weekly markets.
The Tourist Information Centre, situated in the Castle Quay Shopping
Centre offers advice and information to visitors and tourists as
well as an accommodation booking service. Telephone: 01295 753752
or visit, www.visitnorthoxfordshire.com
|
