Things to do and see in Banbury

[LadyAstor]

I have a day to kill in Banbury while staying over for work.

Any suggestions for what to see and where's nice for lunch and dinner (staying at Premier Inn so will have to eat out).

You definitely will have to eat out - I've stayed in that Premier Inn and the restaurant but is quite grim. Rooms are fine. There seemed to me - a stranger to the area - to be very little in Banbury except a horrible shopping mall. However, I had sore feet and didn't walk too far from the hotel. Hopefully someone will tell you there's a lovely bit just round the corner!

I live near Banbury and there are no lovely bits I'm afraid. As PP said; there is a shopping centre and even thats pretty grim.

You could make a quick visit to the museum but to be honest I think I might prefer a train trip away from Banbury if I had all day to spare. If you're into designer labels then go south to Bicester village or if history is your thing then northwards to Warwick castle or Stratford upon Avon would be my choice.

Catch a train to Oxford. I have a friend in Banbury who has nothing good to say about it.

Have done my share of time in Banbury and nope, can't suggest anywhere nice. The surrounding villages and countryside are lovely though

There is a brand new entertainment complex called The Light. Has loads to do in there including eating places and roof top bar. Reviews are that it's really good (I've only done the cinema part).
Which Premier Inn? If it's the canal side one then The Light is directly opposite.
There is also an place called Lock 29 which has fancy stalls and 'street food' eating places and a bar. It's within the shopping centre (next door to the Premier Inn).
There's loads of interesting independent shops in the area called 'Old Town' (Parson's St etc).
If you like history there is of course the Musuem (also within the shopping centre) and At Mary's Church, the Cross etc.
There is also an Arts Centre just down from The Light called The Mill which has different things on.
Apparently Waterside Bar (next door to The Light) does good food.
The whole canal area is thriving now.

Can’t believe nobody has suggested riding a cock horse to Banbury Cross to see a fine lady upon a white horse.

I am guessing all the previous posters haven't been there lately. Massive massive improvements have been done.
When are you going @LadyAstor ? The Fair is in a couple of weeks (travelling fair which takes over part of the town centre).

@ClownSchool you can't ride but you can visit her.

@Needmorelego That's her!

Parson street has some lovely old pubs and there is a thai restaurant at the top which is popular.
There's a good garden centre by the canal and Spiceball leisure centre if you fancy a swim,both in the centre.
I love Peoples park behind the cinema,it has a lovely rose garden and bird aviary.

Oh dear. The best thing someone has suggested is The Light and that is the horrible bit of shopping mall I was mentioning. To be fair, the stalls were mostly not open at the time I went, but it was frankly grim. Even the loos were rubbish. Take a really good book and a bottle of your own wine, OP. Stay in your room!

@ElizabethinherGermanGarden have you actually been in The Light? It's not in the shopping centre. It's across the other side of the canal. It's brand shinny new. Like literally. It's only been open about 6 months. The rooftop bar is pretty cool apparently (I haven't been there yet) but the open space near the cinema section has loads of sofas and big windows where you can sit and get something from the coffee shop (and I think a smaller bar?) and watch the canal boats go by.
You might be thinking of Lock 29 which is a bit marmite as to whether you like it or not. I think it is a bit dark in there (many have said that) but it's food is good apparently.

A nice walk along the canal or the 10m circular walk?
Broughton Castle is nice, even better on a sunny day when you can lounge around in the grounds.
Do the Hook Norton brewery tour.

@LadyAstor I read a brilliant review of the crazy golf that's in The Light. Apparently it's better than crazy - it's "batshit crazy". Looks so much fun.
Please ignore the miserable posters on this thread. While there are crap parts of Banbury - isn't there everywhere? - the area known as 'Waterside' (ie the area by the canal) has just been massively improved and bought into the 21st Century.

I think I may have been there just before it opened. It had stalls but no people and was very plywood-y. It is good to hear it is nice now! Sorry if much maligning Banbury’s delights - will be visiting again soon so will look forward to seeing a good bit.

Ye Olde Reindeer Inn is a nice pub.
The canal area is much rejuvenated. The shopping centre is ok, nothing spectacular, though Banbury has no department stores and M&S moved out a few years ago.
Some of old Banbury is quite attractive but if you have a car take a drive out to the countryside, which is far nicer, or if not take a bus or train to Oxford. By train you can visit Warwick which is very nice.
My family live a half hour drive away.

@FatMog Banbury does have M+S..... it's just not in the town centre anymore.

@Needmorelego My apologies I was visiting only a couple of days ago from London and I thought they'd just gone!

@FatMog There's an out of town shopping centre called Gateway near the motorway. M+S is there now.

These are great suggestions. Thanks everyone. Im going on the 13th/14th so should catch the Fair. I'll have a drive around first and then if nothing catches my eye, I'll go further afield. Maybe Warwick.

@LadyAstor enjoy 🙂

The overwhelmingly best thing about Banbury is the exit sign out

I think you're confusing Banbury with Swindon!

Hello, neighbours!

OP - if you are staying at the Castle Quay PI then you've got the new canalside development and Lock29 on your doorstep.
Castle Quay is useful as a cut-through to the old town and more pubs and restaurants.

Big Primark, Marks and Next on the retail park 5 mins drive.