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, warm brown buildings
and, in the villages, by a fair proportion of thatched roofs.
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 Council 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. The town celebrated
the 400 year anniversary of the granting of this Charter during
2008 with an even more extensive programme of events and activities,
culminating in a visit by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness
The Duke of Edinburgh on 27 November 2008; the first time the Queen
has visited the town since 1959.
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. After 1925, a company called Midland Mart centralised all
livestock sales in Grimsbury. The market closed in 1998. Despite
losing the famous Stockyard, 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 (17th
C 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
independently owned shops.
After a brief period of absence the famous traditional Banbury Cakes
are making a welcome return. The secret recipe is now being made
in Witney, with the cakes being sold throughout Banbury in tea shops
and the Banbury Tourist Information Centre.
Banbury also hears the ‘Hearty Bellow’ of the Town Crier.
The Crier performs at numerous events throughout the Town. This
dying art has now been brought back to life.
The Tourist Information Centre, situated in the Castle Quay Shopping
Centre continues to offer advice and information to visitors and
tourists as well as an accommodation booking service. You can also
pick up tickets for local attractions (some of which are discounted).
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