Family life in Chipping Norton

[Threecouldbefour]

Hi,

We have been looking at several areas for a possible relocation. We feel quite drawn to the Cotswolds area, having looked at Cheltenham and Cirencester. Neither of those quite fitted the bill - Cheltenham is a bit too large compared to what we are used to for day to day life (although great to visit for shopping etc) and Cirencester just wasn't quite right for us. So we are now thinking about Chipping Norton - it has a school offering the subjects our daughters would enjoy and a sixth form, train station not too far away at Charlbury for London commute 2/3 per week for dh and Oxford not far for arts/culture/shopping/possible employment opportunities for dh as and when required. We love walking but also like having places to pop out to with our children (13, 10 and 2).

I would be so grateful for any insight into what family life is like there, schools, facilities, clubs (dd1 very into dance), housing etc. Very important is having lots of places to pop out to - could be farms, parks, NT estates, villages for a potter and an ice cream, lakes etc They don't have to be 'attractions' necessarily. We lack that where we live and miss it dreadfully after moving here 6 years ago. I'm also due our 4th baby next Summer all being well so that's a factor. It's a tricky balance with little ones and bigger ones to cater for. Although thinking Oxford being near by is good for teenagers?

Thanks so much for any info

[Threecouldbefour]

Bumping

[Smileyoriley]

I lived in Chippy for many years and brought up four children there and it was perfect, especially when they were younger. We recently downsized to a nearby village as the kids went their separate ways. It’s a lovely family friendly town with enough amenities for day to day life and easy access to lots of small scale attractions nearby, as well as NT properties, pretty towns and villages etc. I would have to say it’s quite rural and you will spend a lot of time over the years in the car ferrying particularly older children and teenagers to activities, sleepovers, Oxford for socialising etc depending on their interests. The schools have a good reputation with enough choice locally to cover most needs- my kids did very well.
There are a lot of new builds going up at the moment, same as anywhere I guess but there are some lovely period properties which would be my preference. I love Cheltenham too but as you say, much bigger and a great option for days out!

[Threecouldbefour]

Hi @Smileyoriley

Thank you so much for your reply. That's all great info. I guess that is my concern re teenagers - I mean, I expect to be ferrying to sleepovers and clubs - but I'd be hesitant about driving into Oxford constantly as I can't imagine it's the quickest or easiest of trips! Can they/do they take a bus or train?

I don't mind rural. We moved down here from a market town and spent much of our free time doing exactly the type of activities you describe and we loved that. Of course we like the occasional shopping trip too but Cheltenham or Oxford would tick that box.

I'd definitely like somewhere with its own identity and a community feel and CN certainly seems to fit the bill in that sense.

[Threecouldbefour]

My other quick question, if you have time, is where do you go for food shopping? I can't seem to see a proper supermarket. Thank you

[Smileyoriley]

You’re welcome- it is a brilliant place to bring up a family!
The downside is definitely spending time ferrying children around- particularly if you have four like us with a range of ages! Our children had lots of local friends so we did loads of journey sharing with other parents and I think that is really common.
It depends on the child too- one of ours was hugely into horses so spent hours at a local stables whilst another was a real party animal and spent most weekends in Oxford! The drive into Oxford is a bit of a nightmare so they often had to get the bus or the train from Charlbury but their friends were all in the same boat and again there was plenty of sharing the load with their parents.
For food shops, there is a Coop, Sainsbury’s and Aldi plus a small Waitrose and M&S food stores. People often go into Banbury which has a Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s and a brilliant farm shop, or Witney, which has a big Sainsbury’s, Lidl and Waitrose.

[buckleten]

I grew up near there, it's a great area, but when the area gets snow, Chippy gets a LOT!

[Threecouldbefour]

Honestly @Smileyoriley - so kind of you to share all this with me. I know what you mean about different children requiring different things - I think we may have that too! Did you feel Oxford was a safe place for teenagers/young adults to go out? Eldest dd is 13 so I think we've got a while yet but I know how quickly the next few years will fly by!

Is the Sainsbury a superstore or just a little convenience store? Didn't know there was an Aldi. I've become quite used to doing online food shopping but I do miss being able to pick my own fruit and veg (had one too many mouldy clementines delivered recently!)

@buckleten We love the snow. We used to get lots up in the Midlands and barely any down here so that would be a huge bonus! In fact, our 10 year old dd has stipulated she would only want to live somewhere that gets snow!

[Smileyoriley]

Threecouldbefour
Oxford always feels pretty safe to me as cities go and my gang never encountered any problems there. The Sainsbury’s is only a small one.
I second the snow but love it too so not a problem!

[Redbrickwall]

This is really interesting as we are also looking round the area! What villages around chipping would people recommend?
We want pretty! also good high schools and sixth form x

[missyB1]

Following. We live in Cheltenham at the moment, that suits us for now, but we are thinking of going more rural when ds leaves school.

[Smileyoriley]

So many pretty villages to choose from, but if you want pretty - Kingham- bonus is it has a railway station, Churchill, Great Tew all spring to mind.

[Threecouldbefour]

For me it is weighing up the convenience of a train station (teenagers more able to access other places) versus the convenience of a bigger place like CN (leisure centre, shops etc) I guess you will never have everything! x

[Redbrickwall]

@Smileyoriley
Thanks so much