The Banburian

I recently saw mention of English Tourism Week (March 14-23) approaching, so it seemed like the right time to shine a spotlight on Banbury, a town that is, in my opinion, unfairly overlooked by the tourism sector.

While nearby tourism heavyweights Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon frequently feature on travel itineraries of visitors from around the world, Banbury does not. And that’s a shame because it genuinely does something to offer or both tourists – and tourism investors. It has historical points of interest and a few cultural gems of its own alongside both strategic accessibility and affordability that makes it an ideal destination for travellers and those who serve them.

We used to joke that the perfect tagline for the town would be ‘Banbury: You can get there from here.’ And it was a sort of joke. But it was also a serious point about why Banbury should be on more people’s travel radar when it comes to exploring the English countryside and towns. After all, not everything is London.

Now, you may be thinking that as someone who lives in Banbury and writes about Banbury, I may not be wholly objective about the place. I’m not, I suppose. But neither am I making something out of nothing.

A Hub of History and Innovation

Banbury’s tourism appeal lies its industrial heritage, perfectly preserved at sites like Tooley’s Boatyard. The Banbury Museum & Gallery, with its engaging exhibitions and educational programs, tells the story of a town that has been at the crossroads of English history for centuries. Indeed, the town’s strategic importance dates back to Roman times, with the ancient Salt Way cutting through what is now Banbury. These attractions don’t just preserve history – they make it accessible and relevant to modern visitors.

There are architectural gems like the Globe Room in the Ye Olde Reine Deer where Oliver Cromwell used to sit in judgement during Royalist trials or Lampreys (below).

Strategic Location, Maximum Impact

Banbury’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring some of England’s premier attractions without paying premier attraction prices for hotels. Stay at a hotel or B&B in Banbury and you are less than an hour – often less than 30 minutes – from a wealth of locations serving a wide range of interests.

• The internationally renowned Bicester Village, offering luxury shopping experiences, lies just 15 minutes away by train.
• A 20 minute train ride to Oxford transport history buffs to a location bound to satisfy all the facts, dates, trivia and ‘walking the ground’ experiences one could want. More interested in film and TV tourism? Oxford has got you covered there too.
•  If castles, gardens and stately homes are your thing, the area’s National Trust and English Heritage sites provide excellent examples of architectural history and landscape design.
• For automotive enthusiasts, both the British Motor Museum and Silverstone Museum are within easy reach, offering world-class exhibits that celebrate Britain’s motorsport heritage. More on the historic motoring landscape that surrounds Banbury can be found on an earlier Banburian post.

Culinary and Cultural Vibrancy

After a long day of sight-seeing, what could be better than getting back to town and relaxing with an excellent meal. The town’s dining scene punches well above its weight, with award-winning restaurants offering cuisine from across the globe. This culinary diversity may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you hear ‘Banbury’ – maybe you think Banbury cake – but the truth is, Banbury’s food scene is modern, eclectic and diverse.

The Mill Arts Centre features music, theatre, comedy and dance performances all year round. St. Mary’s Church, in addition to being historically significant, also serves as another cultural hub in town – – especially when it comes to music with their Festival Singers performing at many events in town, hosting the Banbury Early Music Festival as well as partnering with the Banbury Choral Society and Banbury Symphony Orchestra.  Then there is the annual calendar of events – a notably robust calendar of events that call the town centre home – such as food fairs, heritage events and music festivals ensures there’s always something new for visitors to discover.

The annual calendar of events such as food fairs, heritage events and music festivals creates year-round appeal, ensuring there’s always something new for visitors to discover.

Visitor Economy Investment Opportunities

For stakeholders in the hospitality industry and visitor services sector, Banbury represents an opportunity to invest in a destination that offers:

• Established transport links with excellent rail and road connections – 3 train lines operate through Banbury Train station with frequent trains providing access to
  • London in just over an hour;
  • 20 minutes to Oxford;
  • 25 minutes to Warwick;
  • 45 minutes to Birmingham.
• A diverse range of attractions appealing to different market segments;
• Proximity to major tourist destinations without their saturation and costs;
• Year-round appeal through seasonal events and indoor attractions.

The Case for Increased Tourism Focus

Destinations like Banbury exemplify the sector’s potential for growth and innovation. The town’s unique combination of historical significance, strategic location, and modern amenities – including significant recent upgrades to the train station and the canal-side development including Lock29 and The Light – makes it an ideal candidate for further tourism investment and promotion.

With major tourist attractions being proposed for nearby Bicester (the £300 million theme park from Puy du Fou and the Great Wolf development, for example) just strengthen Banbury’s position as an affordable, convenient location from which to explore the wider landscape.

For tourism developers, Banbury offers the rare opportunity to invest in a destination that already has strong fundamentals but hasn’t yet reached its full potential. Its position between major tourist hubs creates natural visitor flow, while its own attractions provide compelling reasons for extended stays.

Looking Forward

As the visitor economy continues to evolve, destinations that can offer authentic experiences while serving as strategic bases for wider exploration will become increasingly valuable. So, in advance of English Tourism Week 2025, we invite everyone to take a closer look at what Banbury – and towns like it, towns slightly in the shadow of nearby attention-grabbing neighbors – can offer to the future of English tourism.

Whether through investment in tourism infrastructure, promotion of local attractions, or development of new visitor experiences,  Banbury is primed to step forward and play a larger role in England’s tourism landscape.