Banbury, town, in Cherwell District, Oxfordshire, central England, on the Cherwell River. The town has an important cattlemarket and manufactures that include agricultural machinery and metal products. Since the 17th century it has been noted for the baking of Banbury cakes, a currant pastry. Banbury was a stronghold of Puritanism during the 17th century. The old Banbury Cross of nursery rhyme fame was destroyed by the Puritans in 1602; it was replaced in 1859. Population (1994 estimate) 38,200.
