Chipping Norton

Chipping Norton, is a wind-swept market town of West Oxfordshire.

Meaning literally 'market town', Chipping Norton is situated high up on a hill and rivals nearby Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire for its weather. These two Cotswold towns are the focus for local shopping, markets, civic and cultural activities. The latter is much more of a tourist destination, with the former being much more locally oriented.

The fine Town Hall overlooks the High Street and market place with streets sloping off according to the local geography. The historic development of the streets becomes apparent whist walking around with market stalls becoming permanent and creating smaller streets and the burgage plots behind the buildings on the High Street. As in other Cotswold towns, the wool trade was also prominent here, leading to the construction of the well-lit St Mary's Church.

The Chipping Norton Museum, Chipping Norton Theatre and Gallery provide a rich cultural focus for the town. The Church of St Mary is tucked away down Church Lane and is sited near the remains of the Castle mound. The former Banbury and Cheltenham Direct Railway could perhaps have eased some of the modern day traffic which often chokes the town. The remains of the station site is now and industrial park, sited adjacent to the Bliss Tweed Mill, now residential apartments.

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