Towns and Places to visit
Banbury Farmers Market is on the first Friday of each month, 8.30 – 1.30 pm. It is located at Cornhill, Banbury, OX16 5NG
Broughton Castle, home of Lord and Lady Saye and Sele. Built in 1306. 2.5 miles from Banbury. Open April to end of September. Castle, Garden and Tearoom open 2-5pm. Dogs welcome in the garden. Standard adult ticket £10.
Stratford-Upon-Avon. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Shakespeare’s New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. £26 ticket covers all 3. Then go on to Warwick Castle. Buy ahead and ticket cost is from £24 (Castle and Dungeon)
Brackley is 25 minutes from Claydon and is well worth a visit. Drop in on the Old Hall Bookshop at 32 Market Place. They sell new, second-hand and collectable books – it’s a lovely place to spend some time.
Chipping Norton has the Fairytale Farm, the Chipping Norton Museum and the usual shops and places to eat.
Oxford may be easier to visit by train from Banbury Station. You can leave your car at the station, or if you choose to drive you may find the Park and Ride system preferable to negotiating heavy traffic and high parking costs in the city itself. The city revolves around its prestigious university with the medieval centre, college gardens, Botanic Garden on the River Cherwell; the High Street for shopping; The Bodleian Library, museums, and castle to name but a few of its attractions.
Royal Leamington Spa is known for its Regency architecture and broad boulevards. It has a selection of specialist boutiques and major high-street stores. Visit the Victoria Park, Pump Room Gardens or the historic Jephson Gardens with the subtropical glasshouse.
The National Herb Centre at Warmington, hosts garden centre and café: https://herbcentre.co.uk/
The Cotswold safari park https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/ which is wonderful for the whole family.
Bourton on the Water a charming village in the rural Cotswolds, adjacent to the River Windrush. It is known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses; but also hosts the Cotswold Motoring Museum, and a Model Village of the 1930s – delightful.
The magnificent Blenheim palace, the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough. Annual pass is available, check website for current prices.
Burford. High Street sweeps downhill to River Windrush. 3 arched medieval bridge. Impressive church. Ancient houses and shops. Plenty of places to eat, restaurants, pubs and teashops. Visit the garden centre. Visit the Tolsey Museum which illustrates the town’s social and industrial past. Shop at the Upton Smokery.
Please note: Prices and opening times were correct at the time of creating this page, but you are advised to check websites for current information.