Welcome to Banbury

A calm, friendly town with everything you need to settle in comfortably

Banbury is a small but well-connected market town in Oxfordshire, located near the borders of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire. If you’re working at Cherwell Hospital, this is where you’ll likely live and spend most of your time — and the good news is, it’s one of the easiest places to settle in the UK.

🗺️ Where is Banbury?

• 📍 Located in north Oxfordshire, around 20–25 minutes north of Oxford
  
• 🚉 Has a direct train to London Marylebone (just over 1 hour)
  
• 🚗 Close to the M40 motorway — easy access by car or coach to nearby cities
  
  

🌟 What Banbury is known for

• 🥧 The famous Banbury Cake (spiced pastry filled with dried fruit — try it at a local bakery)
  
• 🛶 The Oxford Canal runs through town — nice for peaceful walks
  
• 🛍️ Traditional open-air market days on Thursdays and Saturdays
  
• 🏰 Nearby Broughton Castle — a historical manor house surrounded by countryside
  
• 🎭 A strong local theatre and arts scene (The Mill Arts Centre)
  
  

👥 Who Lives in Banbury?

Banbury has a population of around 55,000 people. It’s a diverse mix of British locals, European migrants, and growing African and South Asian communities. Because it’s near major employers (like the NHS, food factories, and car plants), many residents are working families, nurses, care workers, and tradespeople.

You’ll meet:

• 🇬🇧 Local British families (often lifelong residents)
  
• 🇵🇱 Polish and Romanian workers
  
• 🇮🇳🇳🇬🇵🇭 Indian, Nigerian, and Filipino healthcare staff
  
• 🧓 Older residents and retirees
  

People here tend to be polite, helpful, and respectful — not as fast-paced as big cities, but generally warm once they get to know you.

💬 Local Life and Atmosphere

• Banbury is calm and quiet, especially in the evenings — ideal if you need rest after long shifts
  
• Shops and services are walkable from most residential areas
  
• It’s common to say “hi” or smile at people you pass in the park or on your street
  
• There are lots of families, so public spaces are safe and friendly
  
• Local cafés and pubs are often cosy, quiet places — not loud nightlife spots
  

🧭 What You’ll Find in Town

• A central high street with chain shops and small independents
  
• Big supermarkets: Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury’s
  
• Banbury Gateway Retail Park (with Primark, Boots, M&S etc)
  
• A central bus station and direct train station
  
• Peaceful parks, a canal, and green walking routes
  
• GP surgeries, dentist clinics, and a walk-in health centre
  

🧡 Final Note

Banbury might feel “quiet” at first, especially if you’re coming from a big city or abroad — but for many international staff, that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s a place where you can rest, focus on your goals, and build a stable new life. And with Oxford and London just a short trip away, you’ll never be too far from more excitement when you want it.