Itineraries
Plans our team has walked, ridden and eaten their way through, with the buses and the trains between.
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A British Grand Prix weekend from Banbury: 1 to 4 July 2027, by shuttle
A plan for the 2027 British Grand Prix based in Banbury: a bed in town, Silverstone's pre-booked shuttle from the station each day, what to eat and when to leave for the last train. It only works that weekend, and race times are not out yet.
Thursday to Monday, 1 to 5 July 2027 · Base: Banbury · Pre-booked shuttle, 45 to 50 minutes
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A business traveller's evening in Banbury: on foot from the station
One free evening in Banbury after a day of meetings: where to sleep, a 30-minute walk past the Cross and the old streets, where to eat on which night, and the early train next morning to London or Birmingham. Any weeknight, no car needed.
1 evening, Monday to Thursday · On foot from the station · About 1 mile (1.6km) walking
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A day in Banbury on foot: a Saturday or Thursday itinerary
One day in Banbury on foot for a first visit: the Fine Lady and the Cross, the charter market, Tooley's Boatyard, the free museum and the canal. It works on a Saturday or a Thursday, when the market is up and the boatyard open, with a meal at the end.
1 day · On foot, no car needed · Best on a Saturday or Thursday
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A day out with children in Banbury: parks, birds and a canal, on foot
A free day in Banbury for families with younger children: the aviary and play area at People's Park, the Cross and the rhyme, the museum and a canalside lunch, and the play area at Spiceball. On foot from Tuesday to Saturday, with a plan for rain.
1 day · Best Tuesday to Saturday · On foot, or park at one end
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An Oxford Canal weekend in Banbury: boatyard, boat trip and towpath to Cropredy
Two days on the Oxford Canal from Banbury, on foot: Tooley's Boatyard, the museum and a boat trip on the Saturday, then the towpath to Cropredy for Sunday lunch and its Civil War bridge. The boat trip runs only on summer Saturdays; the rest works all year.
2 days, Saturday and Sunday · No car needed · Towpath about 4.5 miles (7km) each way
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Banbury as a base for the Cotswolds: two days, by car and by bus
Two days in the north Cotswolds from a bed in Banbury: by car on Friday to the Rollright Stones, Chipping Norton and Stow, then on Saturday by two buses, with no car at all. Who it suits, what the journey costs, and when to stay in the Cotswolds instead.
2 days: a Friday and a Saturday · Base: Banbury · Day 1 by car, about 50 miles (80km)
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Banbury by train: a Saturday from London or Birmingham, with no car
A car-free Saturday for anyone coming by train from London Marylebone or Birmingham: the market, Tooley's Boatyard and the museum in the morning, the S4 bus to Deddington for lunch and its castle banks, and the Cross before the train home. Times for 2026.
1 day, a Saturday · Train and bus, no car · From Marylebone or Moor Street
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Bicester Village and a better lunch: a morning's shopping from Banbury
Three hours at Bicester Village from opening, then lunch somewhere with a kitchen of its own: a Hook Norton pub at Steeple Aston if you drive, Wednesday to Sunday, or the Reine Deer in Banbury if you take the train, any day. Times for 2026.
1 day, home by mid afternoon · By car, Wednesday to Sunday · By train and bus, any day
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Castles and battlefields near Banbury: one day by car, April to September
A day by car through the Civil War around Banbury: Deddington's castle banks, Cropredy Bridge, the Edgehill memorial and ridge, then Broughton Castle. It works only on a Wednesday, Sunday or bank holiday Monday, 4 April to 29 September 2027. A winter version is below.
1 day by car · Wed, Sun or bank holiday Mon · 4 April to 29 September 2027
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Hook Norton and Great Tew: a day by car, with a brewery tour
A day by car from Banbury: the 10am tour of Hook Norton's Victorian tower brewery, lunch in its Malthouse Kitchen, the walk to the viaduct piers, then an afternoon in Great Tew and a meal at the Falkland Arms. Every day of the week, if you book the tour.
1 day by car, one driver · Any day: book the 10am tour · Brewery tour £25 (2026)