Picturesque Banbury is an ideal location for commuters

Banbury is now also an important industrial centre which has grown considerably in size over the last half of the 20th century.

Located on the River Cherwell at the edge of the Cotswolds, Banbury has regular train services to Birmingham in under an hour and London Marylebone in 55 minutes.

Banbury boasts a rich and fascinating heritage preserved in the alleys of its Old Town as well as its two remaining inns - The Reindeer in Parsons Street and the large 17th century Whateley Hall Hotel in the Horsefair which used to be called the Three Tuns. The famous Banbury Cross features in the children's nursery rhyme “Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross”.  Banbury Cakes, made of light pastry, lined with currants and fragranced with lemon, have been produced for the last 300 years and are still served in the town today.

Banbury has extensive shopping along its pedestrianised high street which features period architecture and quaint pavement cafés and the Castle Quay Shopping Centre. A farmers’ market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays. There is a range of supermarkets, bars and restaurants. In the heart of Banbury town centre, residents can also enjoy the 'People's Park', a beautiful, ornamental park offering a community garden, bowling green, rose garden, sensory garden, aviary, war memorial, fitness area, tennis/multi-use courts, and children's play area. Spiceball Park is the largest park in Banbury. Featuring three large fields, a children's play area and a skateboard park, there is also a sports centre with a 25 metre swimming pool, café, 150 station gym, sports hall and soft play area.

Tooley's Boatyard has an operational forge and dry-dock and there are narrowboat trips down the Oxford canal, walks around the stunning Broughton castle and day-trips to the idyllic Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

There are a number of good primary schools including Christopher Rawlins C of E Primary, Dashwood School and St Mary’s C of E Primary. The town has four secondary schools: North Oxfordshire Academy, Banbury Academy, Blessed George Napier Roman Catholic School and Warriner Secondary School. Bloxham School and Tudor Hall are among the excellent private schools. Banbury is home to one of the campuses of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, as well the international campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University at Wroxton Abbey.

A monthly season ticket to London costs £524.60 from Banbury (£5,464 annually) with the fastest journey time between Banbury and Marylebone 58 minutes. Trains to (Birmingham) take 44 minutes (£220.80 monthly, £2,300 annually); Oxford takes 18 minutes (£190.50 monthly, £1,984 annually.

Banbury is 64 miles from London, 27 miles south of Coventry and 21 miles from Oxford. The M40 is five minutes away by car and connects London with Birmingham 38 miles away (54 minutes), and Oxford 21 miles away (45 minutes). Heathrow is 65 miles and just over an hour by car, Birmingham Airport is 40 miles and 39 minutes by car.

Housebuilders have contributed extensively to Banbury’s infrastructure including providing a new school, bus services and play areas.  

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in Banbury...

Hanwell Chase (Persimmon Homes) - An exciting new development located within easy reach of the traditional market town, buyers can choose from a range of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes each featuring flexible living spaces and gardens. Prices from £224,950. Read more about Hanwell Chase from Persimmon Homes
Longford Park (Barratt Homes) - Set in an ideal location within the small village of Bodicote, the first phase of Longford Park brings 79 new homes offering a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. Just two miles south of Banbury yet located in the beautiful countryside it offers a relaxed village lifestyle, while being on the doorstep of great shopping, good schools and an array of eateries. Prices from £302,950. Find out more about Longford Park from Barratt Homes
Adderbury Fields (David Wilson Homes) - A delightful development of traditionally designed two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in the charming village of Adderbury just four miles from Banbury. Surrounded by open countryside, Adderbury Fields provides a sought-after community enjoying a tranquil lifestyle coupled with the convenience of great commuter links and a busy town nearby. Prices from £224,950. View more about Adderbury Fields from David Wilson Homes
Hanwell View (Bellway Homes) – An elegant collection of stone and brick two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in a desirable location close to the market town of Banbury with key transport links and good local amenities ideal for families and commuters alike. Prices from £314,995. For more information visit www.bellway.co.uk; 01295 251515
The Mill (Davidsons Homes) - This collection of new homes is designed for a commuter looking to get more property for their money. The two- to five-bedroom homes off Dukes Meadow Drive are built to high specification. Prices from £340,000 for a three-bedroom detached house and from £375,000 for a four-bedroom detached property. For further details visit www.davidsonshomes.co.uk; 07826 527378	​​​​​​