Banbury
Banbury
is a market town located on the River Cherwell in northern
Oxfordshire, England. It had a population of 43,867
at the 2001 census, though this figure has increased
drastically in recent years. Banbury is part of the
Cherwell district. The Member of Parliament for Banbury
is Tony Baldry.
Banbury
is a significant commercial and retail centre for the
surrounding area, which is predominantly rural. Banbury
has a shopping centre called Castle Quay. Banbury's
main industries include car components, electrical goods,
plastics, food processing, and printing. Banbury is
home to the world's largest coffee-producing facility
(Kraft Foods), built in 1964. The town is famed for
Banbury cakes – similar to Eccles cakes but oval
in shape. Since July 2000 it has hosted a unique gathering
of traditional mock animals, from around the UK and
beyond, at the annual Banbury Hobby Horse Festival.
The
surrounding area is known informally by some as Banburyshire
and covers the north half of the Cherwell district and
neighbouring areas. It has one of fastest growing populations
in the country. As Banbury lies near the Oxfordshire
border, "Banburyshire" includes parts of Northamptonshire
and Warwickshire. |
