Banbury

[StoneofDestiny]

Friend looking to buy a house in Banbury. Does not know the area, any views? What about the area called The Camellias? Any advice welcome.

Used to live in Banbury and go back very often.
As market towns go it is ok, centre is a bit run down now but no moreso than many other towns and there is plenty of good shopping still to be had, it is just that some of it is now away from the town centre. Lots of major towns/city's nearby for varied shopping:- Oxford, MK, Stratford, Warwick, Northampton, Leamington & Coventry.
Excellent transport links and while traffic can get busy at peak times, most of the day it moves ok and you can get from one side of town to the other in a very few minutes.
Some good schools including a couple of (excellent) private ones.
The Horton hospital is still there which has A&E, they have been saying for over 30-years it is in danger of closing but is still there and more convenient than Oxford.
With Chippy just down the road you are on the doorstep of the Cotswolds and Banbury is surrounded with beautiful countryside & villages.
Lots of new houses being built, some better than others but there is a lot of choice so pick your development.
Not familiar with the Camillas (never heard of it before now) but a quick Google shows it to be the Hardwick area which I am not really familiar with but it is a very residential area.

I've lived close to Banbury for many years and agree with most of the previous comments. The centre around the canal has undergone redevelopment and good out of town shopping but I would avoid the Hardwick Estate where this property is, It's not particularly close to amenities and is a bit run down and rough in places.

Thank you so much this helps - can you recommend the nicer areas?

I would not buy in Banbury. Much nicer to be in a large village eg Adderbury.

If they are looking for town living rather than a village (and there are lots of reasons why people want/need to settle for a town rather than a village) then they really need to have a look around and get a feel for the town.
Lots of nice areas (and a few run-down ones!) and as I said before, so much building going on that you are spoilt for choice. Some of the developments are very hemmed in but others are nicely spaced out & landscaped (and priced accordingly). Some are so far out that walking into town is not an option (the centre of Banbury is in a dip so it is uphill to get out) while others are an easy walk to the town/station.
With existing housing, it isn't a case of specific areas are bad and others good (although Bretch Hill and Grimsby have a reputation) as there are perfectly lovely areas spread all across town.

They don't need to live specifically in Banbury - they are getting a job near Bicester and don't want to live in Bicester for a variety of reasons.

@StoneofDestiny There are absolutely great places near Bicester. Do they have children? Bucks has grammar schools and North Bucks is served by Royal Latin School in Buckingham. Buckingham doesn’t have great transport links but Bicester does. All around Bicester, Buckingham and Banbury there are great villages too. The other place to look at with children at primary age is Waddesdon in Bucks. Not far from Bicester. Has best secondary school and grammars in Aylesbury. If no dc, ignore me!

Parts of Bretch Hill, Grimsbury, Hardwick and Neithrop historically have bad reputations although Grimsbury is close to the station and M40 and has some lovely period properties. Other than that, there are some nice areas throughout Banbury. Hanwell Fields, Timms Estate and Cherwell Heights are popular areas plus plenty of new housing estates popping up. There are some nice older houses close to the hospital and I like the area at the far end of the Broughton Road.
I live in Adderbury. It's very pretty in places but as has been said before, village life is not for everyone and they tend to be more expensive.
If your friend does like villages, there are plenty to choose from. Bodicote is very close to Banbury, Deddington is nice with a bit more going on (farmers market, GP surgery etc) and there are some nice villages between Banbury and Bicester. If your friend has DC it will affect her choice based on schools.

Thank you all this helps!

Jumping on this thread. Found a place we like but our catchment secondary schools will be Wykam (which is where everyone has said to avoid) and BGN (we are CoE not Catholic) so feel we are quite limited. Anyone have any idea of likeliness of getting into BGN being Christian but not Catholic please? Feel that the Primary schools near us are better and we won’t need secondary for three more years but thinking ahead…