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A quiet and quaint village nestled amidst the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds, Banbury is a warm and welcoming place to enjoy quintessential English culture. Internationally renowned for its moist and Moorish Banbury Cakes, the medieval town boasts a rich historical heritage and an excellent location amidst alluring natural attractions.
Although many of Banbury’s austere historical buildings were ravaged by fire in the 19th century, many intriguing structures still remain; most notable is the Banbury Cross, a stunning spire shaped stone monument erected to commemorate the marriage of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter. The Town Hall is an arresting vision of typical English architecture, while scattered statues such as Fine Lady give interesting insight into the town’s interesting history. Banbury High Street and Market Place are ambient areas perfect for an afternoon wander and the historical site of Tooley’s Boatyard boasts a delightful dockyard and a 200 year old blacksmiths shop.
An intriguing documentation of Banbury’s turbulent history can be discovered in the enthralling exhibits of Banbury Museum; the museum’s collection of artefacts, photographs and paintings retrace the story of Banbury from its Saxon beginnings through its Victorian prosperity to its industrial present. Origins of the village’s famous landmarks are explained, along with the town’s link to the nationally renowned nursery rhyme.
Banbury enjoys a cosmopolitan culture to the influx of Bengali and Indian immigrants after the war, therefore the villages’ selection of Indian restaurants are unrivalled in the area. A firm favourite amongst locals, the convivial and charismatic Voujon Restaurant serves delicately spiced and creatively concocted Indian food; signature dishes included marinated king prawns seasoned with exotic spices and simmered in sumptuous coconut and almond milk. (22 South Bar Street, Banbury OX16 9AF, United Kingdom)