- Banbury Station -
Friday 16th December and the day begins not with a ride on a cock horse (spoilsports!) but rather a journey in a Chiltern Railways carriage as our Oxfordshire-bound outlaws join forces aboard the train down from Birmingham. Banbury Station seems keen to promote its fast and frequent links to both the Second City and London although as a building it isn't much of a looker - the glazed modern entrance foyer is nice enough but the platforms could probably do with a lick of paint.
- Forage Found? -
Banbury Town now awaits as the River Cherwell almost apologetically sidles past the station. Nick Turpin leads the way, primarily in pursuit of pubs plus any other landmarks that may entice our collective eye. The Town Hall certainly stands out at one end of Market Place while a former supplies store seems to have gone the extra mile in advance of our arrival, emblazoning itself with FORAGE in large letters (albeit if I'm absolutely honest it was the word CAKE that first really captured my attention).
- The Lady is Located -
Parsons Street is a particularly photogenic thoroughfare with blue and white bunting strung out on high, then we must pay a visit to the famous Banbury Cross, a prominent junction immortalised in nursery rhyme. It is only right and proper that we should pay homage to the fabled fine lady as she sits astride her steed, Nick thankfully resisting the temptation to saddle up next to the music-making maiden.
- Ye Olde Reine Deer -
Having got our Banbury bearings we must now avail ourselves of ale, and given this is a Christmas trip there is only one place to start. Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn is a classic Hook Norton pub with a protruding sign that hangs invitingly above the middle of Parsons Street. The inn reputedly served as an operational base for Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War (Banbury Castle being a Royalist garrison was besieged by parliamentary forces), and it's even possible that the future Lord Protector planned battle strategies in the pub's historic Globe Room (a glorious panelled gem that is well worth seeing). A half each of the rich and fruity Twelve Days winter brew keeps our thirsty foragers very much contented.
- Black Sheep Beckons -
More seasonal supping is possible in the Exchange, a Wetherspoons pub on Banbury High Street where we try out the festive menu. Black Sheep's powerful Riggwelter chestnut-toned concoction is paired with either a turkey pie or a bacon and breaded brie burger for a well-earned lunch. We follow this with two Good Beer Guide pubs in close proximity - the White Horse has relaxing armchairs with owl cushions where a somewhat Shakespearean Nick Turpin comes over all Dashingly Dark, then the thatched roofed Three Pigeons proffers some Purity Pure Gold.
- A Historical Character (or two) -
Banbury's Civil War connections are our topic of discussion as we investigate a short stretch of the Oxford Canal from Spiceball Park to the town's bus station; along the way we pass Tooley's Boatyard and meet a military character crafted out of wicker. Our closing pub is back past the railway station on the Grimsbury side of the tracks - the Bell on Middleton Road providing some attempted darts and a half of Wychwood's 12 Drummers (complete with flashing pumpclip). We're all done and dusted in time for the 17:24 train and another terrific year of Turpin tours is complete. Cheers!
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