Banbury 2024 – End of Year Round Up

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I’ve been stupidly busy of late and not able to post as much as I would like. But I’ll definitely try and do better in 2025. I am more active on the Banburian Facebook page (sometimes easier to share things on the fly there) so you can always follow me there as well to make sure you don’t miss anything.

In the meantime. Just a list of things I have noted of late and which are relevant to our collective local interests. Continue reading “Banbury 2024 – End of Year Round Up” →

Banbury’s Historic Motoring & Motor Sport Landscape

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I have always said that one of the best things about Banbury is that it is so close to so many great things to see, do and visit. Put a pin in your map on Banbury and draw a circle – say, a 45-60 minute drive out and – whether you are a foodie, a literary lover, a petrol head or anything in between – you are spoiled for choice. It’s why we keep using the hashtag #GetThereFromBanbury.

We’ve already touched upon the great things a history or fan of manor house visits can find nearby.

Now, let’s look at the impressive array of “days out” the motoring enthusiast will find within 45 minutes or so of town.  Continue reading “Banbury’s Historic Motoring & Motor Sport Landscape” →

Castles and Manors and Gardens! Oh My!

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You may have noticed we’re using a new hashtag on the Banburian lately – #GetThereFromBanbury. What do we mean by that? Well, it occurred to us that there a lot of events and places of interest which you could reach in an hour or less from Banbury. So we decided that if you could #GetThereFromBanbury in an hour or less (most are a lot less), it qualified for the hashtag. It all ties in to our belief that Banbury is a great base for exploring some of the most beautiful, historic and interesting places in the country, no matter what your interests might be.

Wander the gardens at Blenheim

We’ve already touched upon how much the area offers for the motorsport and historic motoring fans. But what if your definition of a good time is a castle or a palace? Maybe grand homes, manors and gardens are more your speed? No worries. Banbury, so close to so many iconic locations, is the perfect base for you too. Here are just a few: Continue reading “Castles and Manors and Gardens! Oh My!” →

Who’s Riding to Which Cross?

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Tell someone you live in Banbury & they’ll start reciting:

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady upon a white horse;
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
And she shall have music wherever she goes.

Considering how well-known that little ditty is you’d think we’d know a lot about its origins but we don’t. We don’t know:

  • which cross they are talking about,
  • who is riding to that cross,
  • how many versions of the rhyme there are,
  • when the rhyme first showed up,
  • what they meant by cock-horse,
  • how the frog fits in.

There are quite likely people who have studied this whole thing in depth and can talk for hours about the origins and meaning of it all. To normal, everyday people (like me and I suspect, you) the information seems inconsistent and like many questions involving oral traditions of this type -definitive answers are lost in time. So what do we have? Thanks to those people who did all the studying – we have informed guesses. So let’s get to guessing. Continue reading “Who’s Riding to Which Cross?” →

Do Your Part To Big Up Banbury Businesses

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I wanted to talk a bit about supporting local businesses. Obviously, the most direct way to support local businesses is to shop at local businesses. But times are very hard right now – for individuals, families, and local businesses alike. That’s why I want to talk about other ways you can support local businesses – most of which cost you nothing.

Support Local Banbury Businesses

That’s why I want to talk about other ways you can support local businesses – most of which cost you nothing. Continue reading “Do Your Part To Big Up Banbury Businesses” →