Things to do
around Banbury

Banbury sits on the north-eastern edge of the Cotswolds, a working market town rather than a picture-postcard village, and that's rather the point. Within about two miles you'll find 101 places to eat and drink, 28 shops, 10 things to visit, five activity providers and seven places to stay, which means you can fill a day here without much planning and still have somewhere to sleep at the end of it. It's a good base if you want cafés, independent traders and a canal towpath on your doorstep, with the quieter stone villages of the surrounding countryside a short drive away in almost any direction.

A decent few hours might start with coffee and something sweet from Tess' Brilliant Bakes, then a wander through the Banbury Charter and Farmer's Markets, where the stalls change with the day of the week and Sam the Flower Man is worth a look even if you're not buying. From there you're within easy reach of The Pepper Pot for lunch, or the Musketeer if you'd rather a pint with yours. Leave room for Love Desserts on the way back.