I am considering moving to Banbury area and want to know what it is like

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Hi!
I was just looking for some local information on the Banbury area. We are thinking of moving to the Bloxham or Deddington area from N.W London and I wanted to get some advice on what it's like to live in the area, things to do etc.

I have twin boys of 16 months old - I work 3 days a week and they go to nursery. So any advice on good nurseries and also primary schools would be appreciated.

Also, if anyone could shed any light on toddler groups etc,

Many thanks

both villages are lovely but can't recommend anything in them sorry. oh, deddington has a very good farmers market each month! and bloxham has the preferred secondary school (warriner) for almost everyone I've met but hard to get into unless local.

st pauls on warwick road has a lovely toddler group on a friday morning.

there's baby bounce at the leisure centre nearly everyday and one on saturdays too. lots of big climb ons etc.

there's swimming sessions available at the local sn school - nice pool but long waiting lists. for swimming lessions know most people take up at a private school in a village between blxham and hook norton.

the museum has loads of visiting exhibits, many interactive and great for a free afternoon.

there's loads of weekend festivals (in summer) based around the canals or the ride a cock horse nursery rhyme.

Adderbury has a victorian xmas market each year which is lovely. Also, a good childrens clothes warehouse (Merrygo round) - in the industrial estate between adderbury and deddington.

just got a soft play area but i'm not keen on it - prefer the ones in southam and brackley.

a few NT properties around too - useful if you have membership.

right, think thats some things to get you going.
I'll check back if you have any more questions. maybe some other banbury mums will join........

Thanks very much Twinklytoes - really helpful

Hi there, I'm near Banbury too, also moved up from London last year so haven't been here that long but there seems to be a fair bit to do and it's a lovely area to live in! Can't help with Deddington and Bloxham as I'm east of Banbury on the Northants border but in Banbury itself I can recommend the following:

Swimming at Frank Wise School.

New soft play centre, Rugrats and Half Pints, also Clowning Around in Southam

Nurseries: the Horton Day Nursery is v popular, you don't have to work at the hospital to use it although I think there might be a waiting list

Also Bicester is not far away, where you have Wyevale Garden Centre (good for afternoon out with the kids) and of course Bicester Village which has a Pret and Carluccio's if you fancy a reminder of London

HTH!

wellieboots = where is rugrats and half pints? I can't seem to find it but want to go. I really don't like whizz kids.

Rugrats - here - is amazing, although very expensive! (Click on "Contact" on the site, it shows a map).

Hi, I hope you make the move up here -- I moved to Bloxham from Surrey a few years ago and love it. My baby is much younger than your twins (she's 5 months), but I have found there is loads to do in and around the area. There are plenty of baby and toddler groups (at least two per week in Bloxham). There's also Water Babies run from two local swimming pools, Baby College in Deddington, Rugrats & Halfpints in Banbury to name but a few of the activities going on.

I understand there are some good nurseries locally and there are some excellent state & private schools in the area.

In Bloxham there are great health facilities -- the doctors' surgery is brill & the dentist is on the same site, as well as numerous alternative therapists.

Deddington is the larger village, with more shops, pubs, etc., but I love both the villages equally.

Most of all, the mums I have met have all been lovely without exception -- I haven't found any 'cliquiness' at all and everyone has been very friendly & welcoming.

Best of luck!

TP - cheers. I got a new name, saw you there on friday.

Thanks for all of these messages...really useful.

The move has moved on a stage and we have accepted an offer on our house and have had ours accepted in Bloxham and if all goes to plan we will be moving at the end of March!!! Scary but exciting.

I am going to look at some nurseries next week - does anyone know anything about Smart Tots & Child First in Banbury?

Also, on a more practical note, is there much rush hour traffic into Banbury on the Bloxham Road between 8 - 9am?

Thanks again x

never investigated nurseries - sorry.

but the road will be very busy in that hour - all the school buses going to warriner.

Ooooooooo! Twinklytoes!! I know who you are!!!

Hello!

I live near Banbury on the Northants border, just wanted to say a premature welcome to the area!

I hope you will be very happy in Bloxham

BingBunny
x

TP got some rather exciting news this week too - see if you can find it

Hmmmm ...

Hi - I work in Banbury (well I did until I started maternity leave) and quite a few people in my office use Child First and speak highly of it. Bloxham is lovely - I'm registered with the dentist there so always visit with some trepidation mind you! The Joiner's Arms is breastfeeding friendly - at least no one tried to stop me the other week! Food was nice too. The traffic is busy on the Bloxham Road, but I think Child First should be your side of town so at least you don't have to negotiate the centre. There are roadworks on Warwick Road at the mo so that might affect the traffic everywhere, it doesn't take much to grid lock Banbury. Not trying to put you off though and I guess as a 9-5er I was always in rush hour traffic. Good luck with the move and I'm sure you'll be really happy in Bloxham.

i there i live in banbury ive been here 7 years now and i love it.very friendly and loads of mums,tots groups etc.if you want to meet up email me [email protected] i have a 3year old l boy and a 14yearold girl.

my lo goes to a lovely nursery so have info for you.x

twinklytoes - I've guessed your news!!!!

I live in Barford St Michael, down the road between Bloxham and Deddington. Deddington has a good toddler group Friday mornings and Thursdays there is the play bus which visits. There's also a library with a good kids section though they aren't open every day.

Bloxham has several good nurseries, there is also one in nearby Bodicote.

Barford has a M&T group (I run it) though it's small. For older kids there are the usual brownies, cubs etc around the villages, a great school bus service etc.

We moved from London a few years back pre-kids. This is a lovely place to raise a family.

whomovemychocolate sarah here ive replied to you on other thread be good to meet up hunni my email is [email protected]

Hello....I just found this thread by googling 'toddler groups around warmington'. We're relocating to warmington (north of Banbury) from London, this Xmas (moving on 21st!!) I've got a 2 year old and 3 month old...and a bit scared about the move, but a bit excited at the same time!
Can anyone recommend any toddler groups and/or nurseries/pre schools around warmington please?
From what everyones posted so far, it looks like theres quite a few nice things!
Thanks xxx