At the Oxford Canal in Banbury you'll find the oldest working dry dock in Britain. Tooley's Boatyard, now a schedule ancient monument, has been building and repairing narrowboats since 1790.
It's where you can stock up on canal souvenirs, or learn a canal-related crafts like painting roses and castles. Tooley's is also where you can get on the water by taking a boat trip.
A few minutes' stroll from the canal is the centre of this historic market town, and the famous Banbury Cross and Banbury cake. If you're up for a longer walk, you can take the towpath alongside the Oxford Canal to Cropredy, four miles away.
For those who can't resist retail therapy, the shopping centre is a stone's throw away. Also worth a visit is The Mill Arts Centre, a multi arts venue which hosts live music, theatre, family theatre shows, a gallery space, workshop sessions, conference room spaces and a café and bar.
