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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 45,000 population for 2006.

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 the first Saturday in September when the town is alive with Criers from all over the country competing against each other 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. 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.

‘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’.

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, with special patinations to produce the various colours of the Horse and its Fine Lady 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.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photography copyright Rosy Burke Design Associates.