Banbury will pay tribute to those who served during the Battle of Britain with a military parade, memorial service and planned RAF flypast on Sunday 13 September.
The free civic event will begin in the Market Place before the parade moves through the town centre to St Mary’s Church.
Members of the Armed Forces, cadet organisations, veterans’ groups and other local organisations are expected to take part, with the parade returning towards Banbury Town Hall following the service.
At a glance
| Event | Banbury Battle of Britain commemoration |
| Date | Sunday 13 September 2026 |
| Parade | Expected to set off at around 10.15am; arrive early and check the latest council update |
| Memorial service | Currently listed for 11.30am at St Mary’s Church |
| Overall event | Banbury Town Council’s live page lists 11am to 2pm |
| Starting point | Market Place, outside Banbury Town Hall |
| Service | St Mary’s Church, Horse Fair, Banbury |
| RAF flypast | Planned for after the service; aircraft and exact timing have not been confirmed |
| Admission | Free |
| Booking | No advance ticket is advertised, but church seating is limited |
| Latest information | Visit the Banbury Town Council event page |
Check the timing before attending
Published information currently gives slightly different timings.
Banbury Town Council’s main event page lists the public event from 11am to 2pm, while a council social update and the St Mary’s Church listing indicate that the parade is expected to begin at around 10.15am and the service at 11.30am.
The supplied council news release gives an overall time of 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Anyone wishing to see the parade assemble and set off should plan to be in Market Place before 10.15am and check the council’s live event page before travelling.
Parade will travel through Banbury town centre
The event will begin outside Banbury Town Hall, where participants will assemble in Market Place before marching through the town centre towards St Mary’s Church.
Banbury Town Council says the parade will include representatives from military, cadet, policing and remembrance organisations.
Groups named in the council’s announcements include the Royal Air Force, 1460 (Banbury) Squadron Air Cadets, Sea Cadets Banbury, the Royal British Legion, Banbury RAFA Club and Thames Valley Police.
Residents and visitors will be able to watch the procession from the town centre before attending the service, subject to the capacity available inside the church.
Once the memorial service has begun, or if all available seats have been filled, further entry to St Mary’s may not be possible.
Those arriving after the parade has left Market Place may still be able to watch it along the route, but the council has not published a detailed street-by-street procession map.
Memorial service at St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church will host a service remembering the aircrew and others who served during the Battle of Britain.
The council says the service will include hymns, readings and poems honouring those commonly referred to as “The Few”.
The church listing currently gives a start time of 11.30am and a duration of approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
After the service, the parade is expected to march back towards Banbury Town Hall.
People who need particular access arrangements or seating should contact Banbury Town Council or St Mary’s Church before attending rather than relying on space being available on arrival.
RAF flypast planned after the service
An RAF flypast is planned to take place shortly after the memorial service.
Banbury Town Council has not yet confirmed which aircraft will appear or an exact flypast time.
Previous Battle of Britain commemorations in Banbury have featured aircraft connected with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, but visitors should not assume that a Lancaster, Spitfire or Hurricane will appear this year unless the RAF or council confirms it.
Military flypasts can be changed or cancelled because of weather, aircraft availability or operational requirements. The parade and service will remain the central elements of the commemoration.
Why the Battle of Britain is remembered
The Battle of Britain took place between 10 July and 31 October 1940, after Nazi Germany had occupied France and much of western Europe.
Germany’s Luftwaffe needed to establish control of the skies over southern England and the English Channel before a planned invasion, known as Operation Sea Lion, could realistically proceed.
RAF Fighter Command, supported by ground crews, radar operators, observers and personnel from Britain and allied nations, resisted the sustained German air campaign.
Germany failed to gain the air superiority required and its invasion plans were postponed.
The aircrew involved were not solely British. Official records recognise 2,937 British and Allied airmen from 15 countries as having flown at least one authorised operational sortie with an accredited Fighter Command unit during the campaign.
They included airmen from Poland, New Zealand, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Australia, South Africa, France, Ireland, the United States, Jamaica and Barbados.
A total of 544 of the officially recognised Battle of Britain airmen died during the campaign, with hundreds more losing their lives before the Second World War ended.
Battle of Britain in brief
| Official dates | 10 July to 31 October 1940 |
| Opposing air forces | RAF Fighter Command and Allied aircrew against Germany’s Luftwaffe |
| Airmen officially recognised | 2,937 |
| Countries represented | 15 |
| Airmen killed during the battle | 544 |
| Battle of Britain Day | 15 September, commemorating the major aerial fighting of that date in 1940 |
Historical figures are taken from the Battle of Britain Monument’s record of officially recognised airmen.
What visitors need to know
The event is free and no advance ticket is currently advertised.
There will be no dedicated food or drink stalls, although cafés, pubs and restaurants will be open around Banbury town centre.
Well-behaved dogs can attend the outdoor parts of the event when kept on a lead. They will not be permitted inside St Mary’s Church and must not be left unattended outside during the service.
The parade will move through the town centre, so motorists should allow additional time and follow instructions from event marshals, police and traffic-management staff.
No complete road-closure or parking-suspension schedule had been published on the council’s event page when this article was prepared.
Visitors should avoid obstructing the parade route, church entrances or emergency access points and should remain behind any barriers installed on the day.
How to get to the Banbury Battle of Britain event
Planning your visit
| Parade starting area | Banbury Market Place, outside the Town Hall |
| Town Hall address | Bridge Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5QB |
| Memorial service | St Mary’s Church, Horse Fair, Banbury |
| By train | Banbury railway station is on Station Road, approximately five minutes on foot from the town centre |
| By bus | Banbury bus station is on Bridge Street, close to the Town Hall and Market Place |
| By car | Use a public town-centre car park and check the signs for current charges, maximum stays and event restrictions |
| Council telephone | 01295 250340 |
| Council email | info@banbury.gov.uk |
| Event information | Banbury Town Council Battle of Britain page |
Banbury railway station is a short walk from the town centre, while the main bus station is on Bridge Street close to the Town Hall.
Using public transport may be simpler than driving while the procession is moving through the centre.
People travelling from outside Banbury should check their return train or bus before setting out, particularly if they intend to remain for the flypast and return parade.
Frequently asked questions
When is Banbury’s Battle of Britain event?
It takes place on Sunday 13 September 2026.
What time does the parade begin?
A Banbury Town Council update and the church listing indicate that the parade is expected to set off at around 10.15am. The council’s main event page lists the overall public event from 11am to 2pm, so arrive early and check the latest information.
What time is the church service?
The current St Mary’s listing gives a start time of 11.30am and a duration of approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Where does the parade start?
It begins in Market Place outside Banbury Town Hall before travelling through the town centre towards St Mary’s Church.
Is the event free?
Yes. Banbury Town Council says the event is free to attend.
Is an RAF flypast taking place?
An RAF flypast is planned after the service. The aircraft and exact time have not yet been confirmed, and the appearance remains subject to weather, availability and operational requirements.
Will the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight appear?
That has not been confirmed. Historic aircraft have appeared at previous Banbury commemorations, but visitors should not assume a Lancaster, Spitfire or Hurricane will take part this year.
Can people enter St Mary’s after the service begins?
The council says further admission may stop once the service has begun or all available seats have been filled.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted at the outdoor event if they are well behaved and kept on a lead. They cannot enter St Mary’s Church and must not be left unattended outside.
Will there be food stalls?
No dedicated food or drink stalls are planned. Visitors can use cafés, pubs and restaurants in the town centre.
Will roads be closed?
The parade will require traffic to be managed as it moves between Market Place and St Mary’s Church. A detailed road-closure schedule had not been published on the event page when checked, so drivers should allow extra time and follow marshal instructions.
Where can people check for updates?
The latest public information is available through the Banbury Town Council event page.
Further Reading
