Ride a Cock Horse

This is the likely site of the High Cross, one of Banbury's three early crosses, destroyed by Puritans in 1600. First, let us remind ourselves of the nursery rhyme:

Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady ride on a white horse
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes.

The Cross that currently stands in the centre of Banbury has nothing to do with the rhyme. The cross now standing was erected in 1859 to commemorate the marriage of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter. Banbury had at least three other crosses: the High Cross, the Bread Cross, and the white Cross. It is also possible that 'Banbury Cross' refers not so much to a monument as to the location of crossroads. Banbury was built at the junction of two ancient roads the Salt Way, still used as a bridle path and Banbury Lane, part of the Jurassic Way which ran from the Humber to the Avon.

For a more scholarly and extensive discussion, and speculation about the identity of the 'Fine Lady' see this article: A Possible Solution to the Banbury Cross Mystery by Roberta Allen.