The lady in question on the horse was thought to be a member of the Fiennes family, ancestors of the owner sof nearby Broughton Castle and you can still see the famous cross, which was destroyed in 1602 and re-built in 1858. The newly re-located Banbury Museum is a good place to find out all about it. The pedestrianised town centre has benefited from a recent makeover and new covered shopping centre.
Check out the weekly market for some bargains and try the local speciality - Banbury Cake - a currant cake for sale in the local bakers.
Just a five minute drive from the town centre is the picturesque village of Bloxham where you can take your pick from a couple of nice pubs and wander around the Cotswold stone centre which is a Conservation Area.
On the way into Banbury from Warwickshire, make a stop at the relatively new National Herb Centre. Here you'll find a bewildering range of herbs and plants grown locally and for sale as well as a gift shop with original presents and a very pleasant bistro which uses herbs in many of their dishes. | 
