And we’re back on the #Banbury for #EnglishTourismWeek26 train with more insight into what makes Banbury such a great domestic tourism destination. Today – Spiceball Park. The glorious green space with the slightly weird name.
This post was inspired by yesterday’s glorious weather, weather that promises to continue today. I can’t say beyond that, but spring will bed in eventually. Right?
Let’s start with a few Spiceball stats and highlights:
- At 26 acres, it is the largest park in the town.
- It is a combination of ‘tended’ and ‘wild’ areas.
- This is actually the second Spiceball Park (more on that later).
- Setting for lots of town events (posted on those the other day)
- Is home to the weekly Banbury parkrun
- There’s a picnic area with free, DIY barbecue set-ups.
- Features include a children’s play area, skate ramps, and a circuit of footpaths, some dotted with fitness equipment.
But before I tell you why Spiceball is one of the places to be as the weather improves, we have to address the “meatball” in the room. I mean – Spiceball? What kind of name is that?
I’ve touched on this before, but it amuses me so much, I can’t help sharing it again. I’m aware stuff like this often takes the form of slightly questionable local lore, but I found this on the Banbury Town Council website, so I have no reason to doubt it.
In 1894, the then town mayor, a butcher named Thomas Hankinson, donated a plot of land so that the ‘poor people of Banbury’ could have a recreation area. Hankinson, as it happens, was known for his handmade meatballs, known throughout town as ‘spiceballs’ (though I have no idea what the spice in question was).
The original gifted land was what we now know as Bridge Street Park. When the larger space was created in the current location, the name came along with it, and the old site got a new name.
Connect to Nature… and to Banbury’s activity hotspots
Spiceball Park is a ‘green link’ from the centre of Banbury to Grimsbury Reservoir and the Oxford Canal towpath.
- Paths at the southern end of the park lead you to The Light Banbury, The Mill Arts Centre, lock29.banbury, Castle Quay, and the Banbury Museum & Gallery – all just a few minutes’ walk away.
- To the north, the park’s trails extend toward Grimsbury Reservoir and the Grimsbury Woodland Reserve (managed by the Banbury Ornithological Society). The reservoir probably deserves its own post, but for now, just know that it is surrounded by a flat, circular footpath (excellent for walking, jogging and dog walking), and is home to the Banbury Cross Sailing Club.
Generic visitor pamphlets might tell you the park is “lovely” – and it is. But it wouldn’t mention that Spiceball Park can be the core of a great day out, or even a relaxing weekend away.
It’s a great place to embrace nature, get some steps in, or have a run around with the dog or the kids – or both. When you’re ready to move indoors, you can wander from the park’s trails directly into the buzz of The Light Banbury for a film, head to The Mill for an evening of comedy, or visit Lock29 for a bit of independent shopping or lunch.
So, while the spiced meatballs are no more, we still have the park and all it offers. Get out there while the weather holds.