Banbury is a great town with a fascinating history. It is known throughout the UK for its association with the nursery rhyme, Banbury Cross.
Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady upon a white horse
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes
The words of the rhyme are often attributed to Queen Elizabeth I of England (the fine lady) who travelled to Banbury to see a huge stone cross which had just been erected. Banbury was situated at the top of a steep hill and in order to help carriages up the steep incline a white cock horse (a large stallion) was made available by the town's council to help with this task. When the Queen's carriage attempted to go up the hill a wheel broke and the Queen chose to mount the horse and ride to the Banbury cross. The people of the town had decorated the cock horse with ribbons and bells and provided minstrels to accompany her.
Banbury is an ancient market town – fairs and markets have been held since the 12th century - and the market is still held every Thursday and Saturday right outside Castle Quay Shopping Centre and hosts a terrific array of stalls. On the first Friday of each month, the farmers' market comes to town.
Banbury has a Saxon origin, and a Medieval town extended from Market Place to a bridge across the River Cherwell. Many streets and passageways can be traced to medieval times and include Butchers' Row off the High Street.
Banbury Castle became the focus of 17th Century Civil War hostilities. The Castle is not visible today. The town has some fine 17th Century buildings notably the Reindeer Inn in Parsons Street. Banbury is also well known for its cheese, ale, plush cloth and especially the famous cakes. Traditionally Puritanism and Banbury have gone hand in hand. It is said that a Puritan hanged his cat on a Monday for the killing of a mouse on a Sunday. The new Banbury Museum overlooking the Oxford Canal has some excellent exhibits of Banbury people and products. Within a short distance, St Mary's Church and nearby lanes are worth visiting.
The area has always had a military connection with the Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment (later "The Fusiliers") based at their headquarters on Bolton Road. Since their founding 300 years ago they have many battle honours including Gallipoli in the Great War, winning six VCs.
Take a step back in time on the Banbury History Trail and learn a little more of Banbury's rich history
(Reproduced with kind permission of Cherwell District Council)
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