Nostalgic memories of Banbury's local history

Share your own memories of Banbury and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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I recently acquired an old map entitled Stone's Map Ten Miles Round Banbury - it looks like it is over 100 years old. Not sure if it is the original 1855 map. It is on some kind of canvas material. Someone has stamped it on the back with a date of 1906 - but it may be older. It was printed by H. Stone 57 High Street Banbury. Just wondered if anyone new anything about the map. Please contact me at tmcsorley@talk21.com – I can send photos. Tom Mcsorley Broughton Astley Leicestershire.
My Confirmation was in 1948 with 12 boys and 12 girls. Many years have passed since then.
I am looking for anyone who has any memories of this group of singers and or photographs, they performed locally and were very popular, familiar names were David Gibbs, Ted Whale, Eric Hilton, George Mason, Dennis Jones. They sang in local pubs and I believe appeared once on television - ATV News! Any help with this would be very much appreciated for an 80th birthday surprise. They used to wear maroon blazers - does this ring any bells with anyone? A good harmony!
I worked at the pub on Parson Street. Banbury is a great town, to remember crazy memories, like when you did not have any money then there would be no electric or TV. I remember St Mary's church bell practice was on Wednesday evening. When the Birds factory came to town the air smelled of coffee and people were complaining their sheets were getting stained on the washing line. I started off at Grimsbury School and ...see more
I used to fish here quite a bit in the late 1960s. It was not far from the bus station.
I was confirmed at St Mary's in 1970 and I was also married in this church in 1979.
I used to go to this lovely swimming pool. I learnt to swim and dive here, and used to dive off the spring board.
I was christened at this church. I was also a choir boy there. I was a choir boy there from 1965 to 1967.
We moved into the Police House at Tyne Hill in January 1955. It was bitterly cold and we had no coal. My husband was still at Eynsham Hall and I was there with three children, 3years, 2years and one month old. I managed as best I could, sorting wood from the hedgerow until the coal man called.  The local village, Sibford Gower, was a fair walk away, but walk we did, with the baby in the pram, the 2-year-old sitting on ...see more