Welcome to Banburyshire.com, a home for the stories, places and people that shape Banbury and its surrounding towns and villages.
This site exists to celebrate a part of Britain with a strong sense of identity, deep local roots and a history that stretches far beyond the town centre. Over the coming months and years, Banburyshire.com will grow into a living record of the area, shaped by the people who know it best.
The Idea
The idea behind Banburyshire is simple. We want to create a detailed, thoughtful and genuinely useful guide to the area, one that serves local residents just as much as visitors.
Banburyshire.com is designed to be a place for well researched editorial, local knowledge and stories that do not always appear in guidebooks. History, everyday life and hidden gems all belong side by side.
Our aim is to build a comprehensive online home for Banburyshire, its history, its communities and its character, so anyone anywhere can understand and appreciate this part of the country in greater depth.
Although Banburyshire has never been an official county, the name has been used informally for centuries. Banbury grew into a major trading and administrative centre during the nineteenth century, supporting nearby villages through transport, labour and commerce. It developed independently of Oxford and Birmingham, while remaining closely connected to both.
Those historic ties still exist today. Banburyshire.com aims to reflect that shared identity and help keep the area’s strong community spirit alive.
What You Will Find Here
If you live locally, Banburyshire.com may help you rediscover places you have previously overlooked. Historic buildings, walking routes, traditions and stories passed down through generations all have a place here.
If you are visiting the area, you will find practical information to help you plan your time, alongside deeper context that explains why Banburyshire feels the way it does.
We will explore the history of towns, villages and landmarks, local traditions and folklore, food and produce including the famous Banbury Cake, countryside and waterways such as the Oxford Canal and the River Cherwell, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, architecture, industry and the people who shaped the region.
This is not about rushing through highlights. It is about understanding place.
Community First
At its heart, Banburyshire is about people.
We will highlight the communities that support life in the area throughout the year. This includes independent businesses, schools, libraries, museums, charities, transport networks and grassroots groups that keep Banburyshire moving.
Over time, Banburyshire.com will become a shared platform featuring local voices, long form writing, photography, maps, videos and event coverage. All of this helps tell the wider story of the area.
Most importantly, this is a place for sharing. Stories, memories, photos and knowledge are what give Banburyshire its depth, and the site will grow best with help from the people who live and work here.
What Comes Next
This is just the beginning.
There is much more planned, and we would love you to be part of it. You can subscribe to our occasional newsletter for updates as new content is published and new projects launch.
Thank you for being here, and welcome to Banburyshire.
The Banburyshire Team
If you are a local business owner, event organiser, writer or photographer, we would love to hear from you. Banburyshire works best when it is built together.