Yesterday Amy and I decided to take advantage of the good weather to visit the Cotswold village of Chipping Norton. It involved taking a bus from Aston to Witney, the larger market town, and then a bus to Chipping Norton. Witney has lots of shops, galleries and restaurants, but the big draw is their daily open-air market.
Chipping Norton is the highest town in Oxfordshire, situated on the western slopes of a hillside that was once the site of a Norman castle. 'Chipping' is derived from ceapen, an old English word meaning market. It was a major wool trading town that began in the 13th century, and home to the Bliss Tweed Mill in the late 19th century.
In search of fish and chips, we went to the Blue Boar Pub, and shared an amazing meal. First a bowl of soup, and then the haddock and three-times deep fried chips (French fries to us Yanks) were served with smashed peas, which didn't sound all that appealing to me. But I changed my opinion once I tried them - very tender and sweet.
After lunch, we explored more of the town, passing the almshouses, a row of eight 17th century houses provided for widows who were "honest women of godly life and conversation." Too bad that's not their current use, or I might be interested in applying!
We continued on to St Mary's church, one of the 'wool' churches built by wealthy merchants to guarantee a place in heaven. Built in the late 1400's, it has lofty arches and richly fluted pillars soaring up to meet the roof.
We caught the last buses home, and were greeted by very hungry animals!
After lunch, we explored more of the town, passing the almshouses, a row of eight 17th century houses provided for widows who were "honest women of godly life and conversation." Too bad that's not their current use, or I might be interested in applying!
Wow! Can't wait to see THAT in one of your stories!!! 😃