Surrounded by rolling hills and picturesque limestone villages, Chipping Norton or ‘Chippy’ as it is affectionately known, makes a good base for exploring the Cotswolds.

Oxford and Stratford are each within 20 miles, and there are regular bus services to both.

Chippy has its own theatre, leisure centre, museum, art galleries, more than 20 inns and restaurants, and individual shops — including books and antiques — and the medieval Guildhall.

Market day is on Wednesday with a farmers’ market on the third Saturday morning each month.

Although the town centre is peppered with many Georgian houses, new homes have been created on the outskirts and in pockets within the town.

An example is the Bliss Tweed Mill, a Victorian building on the edge of town, once a major source of employment, that has now been converted into homes.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Chipping Norton Leisure Centre: Burford Road. 01993 861 951. 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall, a fully-equipped health and fitness studio, aerobics studio, squash courts and ample parking. The centre offers a variety of sports and swimming courses.

Chipping Norton Lido: Fox Close, off Albion Street. Opens for the summer season at noon on April 29. For more information, call 01608 643188 or visit the website: www.chippylido.co.uk

Chipping Norton Museum: Westgate Centre, High Street. Exhibits associated with, or manufactured in, Chipping Norton. Open from Easter to the end of October, Tuesday to Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm to 4pm. Call 01608 641712.

Manor House Gallery: Changing exhibitions. Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Call 01608 642620.

Charlbury Museum: Margaret Street. Displays of traditional tools and industry. Call 01608 810060 for opening times.

Sezincote House: Moreton-in-Marsh. The house is open May to September, Thursdays and Fridays, 2.30pm to 6pm. The garden is open January to November. Visit the website www.sezincote.co.uk for more information or call 01386 700444.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Chipping Norton Town Council: Call the town clerk on 01608 642341 or visit the website: www.chippingnortontowncouncil.net

Post office: 19 High Street.

The Theatre: Box office 01608 642350. Website: www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk

Newspapers: Oxford Mail, daily, 40p, The Oxford Times, every Thursday, 80p. Website: www.theoxfordtimes.co.uk