Fabio's Ristorante Italiano Banbury. 4 - 5 North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire. OX16 0TB. 01295 250507.

A Little About Banbury

The name Banbury means the stronghold of a man called Banna and probably derived from a Saxon chieftain said to have built his stockade here in the sixth century. The name appears as "Banesberie" in the Domesday Book.

Banbury CrossApart from the fine lady on her horse, Banbury is best known for Banbury Cross. At one time Banbury had several crosses, but these were destroyed in 1600. Banbury remained without a cross until the current Banbury Cross was erected in 1859 to mark the marriage of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter to Prince Frederick of Prussia.

There's also the famous Banbury Cake, similar to an Eccles Cake.

Banbury's original wealth came from the wool trade and the town is now an ever increasing commercial and retail centre with the Castle Quay Shopping Centre hosting over 70 shops and cafés.

Famous people connected with Banbury have included

  • Anthony Burgess, who during the 1950s taught at Banbury Grammar School (now amalgamated into Banbury School)
  • Gordon Ramsay who went to Drayton secondary school in Banbury.
  • Larry Grayson who was born in Banbury in 1923

Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross

Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross

To see a fine lady upon a white horse

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes

She shall have music wherever she goes

 

The English nursery rhyme is probably based on a lady from the Fiennes family whose home was Broughton Castle, just a short distance from the town.

In April 2005 Princess Anne unveiled the statue depicting the Fine Lady upon her White Horse in the centre of the town near to the current Banbury Cross.

Fabio’s Italian Restaurant Great Italian Food in Banbury