Banbury Cross Historic Town Trail

Richard Dodd

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Visit much underrated, but wonderfully historic, Banbury Cross and town on this town trail (you can extend by walking by the lovely canal). Visit key historic buildings, shops, restaurants, pubs, canal, interactive town museum (good for children) with the history of the family that made the 'Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross' nursery rhyme famous:

Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady upon a white horse
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes.

First seen in print in 1784, though known since around 1760, the world-wide popularity of this nursery rhyme was secured by the Rusher family who lived in Banbury in the 18th Century. They were one of the first large-scale publishers of small, cheap books for children.

In the 1600s Banbury was famous for cakes, cheese and ale. It was a successful market town, trading in wool and livestock. It was badly damaged and its castle destroyed in the 1640s in the English Civil War.

England - Central England - Oxfordshire - Town or city

Features

Ancient Monument, Cafe, Church, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Good for Wheelchairs, Mostly Flat, Museum, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets