The Best Hotels in Banbury

Banbury Hotels

Banbury is a large market town set in the heart of grassy Oxfordshire. It is home to rows of stone-walled Georgian townhouses, and cut through by the calm Oxford canal. The town has maintained much of its enthralling heritage, and regularly hosts outdoor farmers’ markets, where shoppers can search for artisan wares and food-lovers can sample the delightfully delicious cheeses and breads. The surrounding fields and woods make Banbury an ideal location for a tranquil town getaway.

Things to see

There’s no shortage of remarkable historic attractions in Banbury’s old-world centre. See the Banbury Cross in the town square - a gothic spire erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s wedding - before immersing yourself in the town’s local heritage at the canal-side museum. The museum showcases enthralling civil war artefacts, and intriguing educational displays which tell of Banbury’s exciting history as a market town. After, enjoy an indulgent slice of cherry-topped cake at the museum’s cafe, and watch as the boats lazily drift across the blue canal waters. For a rejuvenating afternoon, head to Spiceball Park, and amble around its vast green grounds, where the smell of sweet flowers fills the air. Shoppers can sneak off to the nearby Castle Quay Shopping Centre, which boasts dozens of glitzy designer clothing stores. As the evening gently draws in, unwind in a half-timbered fire-lit tavern and enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal.

Hotels in Banbury

Central Banbury is full of affordable 3-star hotels, many of which are set in traditional Georgian buildings. These old hotels benefit from large, traditional rooms with atmospheric interiors, from fire places to grand wooden beams. More modern 3-star hotels in Banbury provide sleek rooms complete with complimentary HD television, WiFi, queen-size beds and enormous en-suites. A handful of 4-star historic inns speckle the surrounding countryside, and offer stellar service and gigantic open rooms, all set against a quintessentially rural backdrop. For convenient budget accommodation - with a touch of tradition - Banbury’s stripped-back 2-star inns are ideal.

Where to stay

Central Banbury is the perfect location for a harmonious holiday. The town centre beautifully blends the rural and urban, where bustling streets fade into wide green spaces, and designer outlets are offset by the busy barterers at the farmers’ markets, where the striking stalls sing with the reds and greens of fresh, locally sourced produce. For a more romantic stay set in a sleepy rural village with soft meadows and cobbled roads, stay in nearby Middleton Cheney, a mere 4 miles from Banbury. If you’re craving a city-like vibe and love beautiful architecture, stay in Oxford, a short 20 minute train ride away.

How to get to Banbury

Banbury’s location in the heart of rural Oxfordshire means that it is extremely easy to get to by rail or by car. Banbury’s quaint centrally-located railway station is served by Chiltern Rail and First Great Western, offering regular direct services to Birmingham, London, Oxford and Reading. If arriving by car, the A422 leads from the speedy M40 motorway to the north of central Banbury. Alternatively, if you’re driving from the west, take the A40 off the M5. Once in Banbury, affordable intra-urban bus services will dart you around the town and its surrounding villages.