 The
opportunity to enjoy the countryside is provided through the nature
and layout of Spiceball Park and the adjacent Grimsbury Reservoir
and Nature Reserve. From the reservoir the more active can follow
the Banbury Fringe Walk, which meanders through beautiful countryside
on the outskirts of Banbury for 10 miles.
As Banbury has grown so have the opportunities to participate
in a wide range of sporting and cultural leisure activities.
For the sports minded the wet and dry facilities provided at Spiceball
Park Sports Centre (Tel: 01295 257522) offer a wide
selection of activities. Please note Cherwell District Council is
currently undertaking major modernisation of their leisure centres
within the district. This project includes the building of a new
Spiceball Leisure Centre (opposite the existing centre) which is
due to open in 2010.
Tennis courts and
field sport pitches at Banbury Sports Ground in Horton View, local
football pitches, synthetic sports pitches at Banbury School and
North Oxfordshire Academy, all provide excellent opportunities for
sport, training and keep fit activities.
Bowling is a popular
Banbury sport and there are bowling clubs centred at bowling greens
in People’s Park, Banbury Sports Ground and the Chestnut Bowling
Club as well as an indoor bowli ng
green in the Woodgreen Leisure Centre.
The introduction of the ‘Superbowl’, now known as Lakeside
Superbowl, is a big boost for the leisure activities of Banbury,
welcoming people of all ages. The Ten Pin bowling alley with 20
lanes has brought many people into the town, from not only the surrounding
areas but from much further afield. The retail shopping store Matalan
is also within the same site.
Cricket facilities
are provided at Banbury Sports Ground and through local club facilities,
with new facilities also coming on stream at Hanwell Fields.
Bodicote Park has been developed into a multi- fitness centre now
known as Bannatyne’s.
The site is still home to Banbury Bulls Rugby Club and Bannatyne’s
now offers a range of amenities such as swimming, gym, aerobics
etc
Many local sports clubs are active in the town and details of these
and the use of local sports facilities are available from the Town
Council. Booking for the use of football pitches and local parks
should be made with Banbury Town Council, Town Hall, Bridge Street,
Banbury. Tel: 01295 250340
People’s Park,
hidden behind the façade of buildings in Horsefair, provides
a refreshing green oasis in an urban setting. Each year the Town
Mayor hosts a community event (Town Mayor’s Sunday) in the
Park - this event often brings the people of Banbury together to
enjoy afternoons in the sunshine.
The Mill Arts Centre in
Spiceball Park provides enjoyment for many through the productions
of both professional and amateur performing and visual arts productions
plus many other musical and creative activities, particularly for
young people. Tel: 01295 252050.
Productions by amateur societies such as the Banbury
Cross Players and the Youth
Drama Group from the local Oxford and Cherwell College
are events much appreciated in the town.
The Odeon Cinema,
situated in Horsefair, can be contacted on Tel: 0871 2244 007 for
all film listings.
For those who pursue their leisure through reading, the town has
a selection of bookshops and lending libraries in Marlborough Road
and Neithrop: Tel: 01295 262282 (Marlborough Road) Tel: 01295 264815
(Neithrop)
Banbury Museum on
Canalside attracts local people and tourists alike. Easily reached
from the Castle Quay Shopping Centre, the modern building won a
design award from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The
dramatic glass bridge links the Museum to the historic Tooleys Boatyard,
with its ‘listed’ dry dock where canal boats have been
built since 1778. The Museum also provides a well-equipped conference
room and a canalside restaurant. The Museum has a display relating
to Banbury’s historical association with the Civil War as
well as exhibitions of other local industries, such as weaving and
brewing. Touring exhibitions of a more general interest are also
a feature. Tel: 01295 259855
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