Places to Visit

The Tourist Information Centre and Banbury Museum, are now situated at the canalside in the Castle Quay Shopping Centre.
The Cross, Horsefair. The cross dates from 1859 when it was erected to commemorate the marriage of Victoria to the Crown Prince of Prussia. Designed by J.Gibbs of Oxford. Figures of Victoria and George V added in 1914.
Linden House, Opposite the Cross, in a row of 18th Century former family homes.
The White Lion, 19th Century coaching inn.
Butchers Row, a street originally lined with butchers stalls, now home to a series of spandrels and ironwork ornaments marking Banbury as an agricultural and market town.
85-87 High Street, the Edward Vivers building, site of a cake shop, noticeable for its beautiful 17th Century facade.
Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Cornhill. The facade is the entrance to the former Corn Exchange of 1857. A statue of Ceres adorns the pediment.
St Mary's Church, built 1790 as a replacement for a large Gothic church. Classical style akin to Wren's London Churches.

Outside Banbury

Ashorne Hall, Nickleodeon, mechanically played musical instruments - a nostalgic trip into yesteryear
Tel: 01926 651444 Open: Mar-Oct
Bloxham Village Museum, The Court House, Bloxham - Exhibits reflecting past village life with a different exhibition every six months.
Tel: 01295 721256 Open: Sundays Easter - End of September 2.30pm - 5.30pm - October 2.30pm - 4.30pm - November - Sunday before Easter only 2nd Sunday each month 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Brook Cottage Gardens, Alkerton - Four acre hillside garden, many different features and unusual plants.
Tel: 01295 670303 Open: Mon-Fri April to October
Broughton Castle, Near Banbury. Home of Lord Saye and Sele's family since 1451. Moated mansion with early 14th century core.
Open: May to September, Weds and Sunday 2-5pm Tel: 01295 276070
Burton Dassett Country Park, Avon Dassett - old iron ore workings in a country park on hilltop site with magnificent views, play area for children
Canons Ashby House, Canons Ashby - National Trust. 16th Century House of the Dryden family - outstanding Jacobean plasterwork.
Tel: 01327 860044 Open: Sat-Weds
Edgehill Country Park, Edgehill - woodland and meadow setting with dramatic views over battle site
Farnborough Hall, National Trust. Georgian House in remarkable setting with garden temples, walks and a view of Edgehill. Home of Holbech family for 300 years.
Tel: 01295 690002 Open: Weds and Sat
Granary Museum, Butlin Farm. Former granary and cowshed now houses material from homes, farms, offices, shops and craftsmens workshops in North Oxfordshire. Steam engines on the first Thursday of each month during the summer.
Tel: 01295 690258 Open daily from 10.30am.
Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon - The largest collection of British cars in the world
Tel: 01926 641188 Open: every day all year.
Rousham House, near Steeple Aston - uncommercialised 17th century house, with art collection, fine dovecote and rare William Kent landscaped gardens
Tel: 01869 347110 Open: April-September, Gardens open all year.
Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit Home of the British Grand Prix, on the road to Towcester (A43).
Stowe Landscape Gardens, near Buckingham - National Trust property of 500 acres created by Vanbrugh, Kent and Gibbs.
Tel: 01280 822850
Sulgrave Manor, off the B4525 road from Banbury to Northampton. 7 miles NE of Banbury. Home of George Washington's ancestors. House and garden from Shakespeare's time.
Tel: 01295 760205 Open: From 12pm on Saturdays & Sundays (April to October) and also from 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays (May to October).
Swalcliffe Barn, Swalcliffe - Constructed 1400-1409, it is one of the best tithe barns in the country with an almost intact medieval timber half-cruck roof
Tel: 01295 788278 Open: Sundays Easter-October
Tooley's at Banbury, Surviving elements of a canal terminus from 1778-1790 including a working forge and dry dock
Upton House, Edgehill - National Trust. Magnificent art collection compiled by Viscount Bearsted. Large and interesting garden - terraced herbaceous borders, kitchen and bog garden.
Tel: 01295 670266 Open: March-November
Waterfowl Sanctuary & Childrens' Farm, Wigginton Heath, Nr Hook Norton, - home to over 2000 birds and animals. Children can handle chicks under supervision.
Tel: 01608 730252 Open: Daily 10.30am-dusk.
Wellesbourne Watermill, Wellesbourne - Historic working watermill, craft demonstrations and tea rooms.
Tel: 01789 470237 Open: Easter-September
Wroxton Abbey, Built in 17th century on the site of a former priory incorporating original cellars. Gardens only open - all year round