Located in North Oxfordshire this ancient market
town has retained much of its historical atmosphere and environment
but has kept pace with the times actively encouraging the growth
of  modern
commerce and industry. Through planned growth and town expansion
programmes involving the re-housing of overspill populations from
Birmingham and London and the establishing of associated industry,
the town’s population over the last 50 years has risen to
approximately 46,000.
Situated at the junction of several major roads and with easy
access to the M40 motorway, Banbury is ideally placed both as a
centre for industry and commerce and as a base for exploring the
Cotswolds, North Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire’s
Shakespeare’s Country. ‘Gateway’ planters full
of colourful floral displays situated along all the main roads into
Banbury are a cheery addition to the town.
To serve a shopping catchment population of 146,000 the town boasts
a wide range of shops in locations as different as attractive narrow
and pedestrianised streets and the Castle Quay Shopping Centre adjacent
to the Oxford Canal. Banbury also has a 20 lane bowling alley.
Banbury now hosts an annual Street Organ and Town Criers Festival
on the first Saturday in September. The town comes alive with Criers
from all over the country competing, against a background of traditional
costumed Organ grinders with their  authentic
musical street organs, raising money for an important local cause.
Town events, many steeped in history such as the twice-weekly markets
dating back to 1138 held in the Market Place on Thursdays and Saturdays
and the annual Michaelmas Fair held in October, all add colour,
interest and vibrancy to the town’s community life. The community
life of the town is enhanced by a wide range of charity, interest
and cultural clubs and societies.
In recent years Banbury has been brought to life in early summer
by the world’s only Hobby Horse Festival. This identifies
with the ‘Ride a Cock Horse’ Nursery Rhyme.
‘Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross
To see a Fine Lady upon a White Horse,
With rings on her fingers and
bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes’
This festival is enjoyed by children of all ages, with adults also
taking an active part. The World Championship Hobby Horse Races
are held as part of Town Mayor’s Sunday - the first Sunday
in July.
The return of the ‘Lady on a White Horse’ has been a
great boost for Banbury. Solely the idea of Banbury citizens, an
appeal was launched in September 2002 and, after raising an amazing
sum of £175,000, the 11/4 times life-size statue cast in bronze,
is now situated in South Bar, near the famous Banbury Cross. The
statue is a fitting tribute to not only the nursery rhyme but most
importantly the town of Banbury.
Most Christian denominations are represented in the town. Other
faith centres such as the Gurdwara and Mosque in Grimsbury have
been established.
The Banbury Twinning Association contributes to the life of the
town through the encouragement and development of positive international
community relations by the organising of exchange visits and activities
with the ‘twinned’ towns of Hennef in Germany and Ermont
on the outskirts of Paris in France.
Banbury is a good place to live and work and has much to attract
the visitor.
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