Chipping Norton - Old Castle & Woodland

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Chipping Norton's old castle, woodland and historic town streets, with Detectives helping Detective Chief Inspector Ellie Mentree follow the clues, unmask the comic criminal and bring the case to a close.

The investigation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin outside the front of the old Guildhall at the end of the Market Place, near the junction with Goddard's Lane, then work your way through the town streets, Church Lane, a churchyard section, woodland paths and back towards the Market Place, ending near the start and the Town Hall.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes some easy uphill gradients, a narrow woodland track that may be muddy after rain, and wooden steps, along with roads, crossings and town pavements.

Carefully cross over roads at several points, and take extra care around the petrol station area, the churchyard section and the muddier woodland path after wet weather. The town's traditional mop fair every September makes the streets pedestrian-only.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation outside the front of the old Guildhall at the end of the Market Place, near the junction with Goddard's Lane (OX7 5NP), using ///each.foresight.amid. Recommended parking options are Market Square (OX7 5LL), Cattle Market (OX7 5NA) and Albion Street car parks (OX7 5BL).

By public transport: Make your way to the Market Place in Chipping Norton, then head for the old Guildhall near the junction with Goddard's Lane to begin the case. The route loops back to the Market Place, ending near the start and the Town Hall.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort-stop intel, Detectives: toilets are available at the Town Hall near the beginning and end of the Trail, and down the road leading off New Street just before Clue 03.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route includes town streets, road crossings, a petrol station area, a churchyard section, wooden steps and a narrow woodland track that may be muddy after rain, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic and take care under paw on the woodland stretch.

Food & Drink Stops

Cracking a comedy crime is hungry work, but there are plenty of cafes around the Market Place near the start and end of the route.

If you would rather bring your own provisions, there is a play area at the bottom of New Street, after Clue 04, where you can have a picnic.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Chipping Norton Town Centre and Market Place

Known locally as 'Chippy', Chipping Norton has been a bustling market town since medieval times and still hosts a weekly market. If your visit lines up with the traditional mop fair every September, the streets become pedestrian-only, adding an extra dose of local character to the case.

The Old Castle Site

At the end of Church Lane lies the site of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. In 1268 it was home to local bigwigs, but by 1566 it had crumbled into ruin. Only grassy mounds remain today, and it is privately owned, so admire this ancient evidence from afar.

The Church at the End of Church Lane

If your squad needs some divine inspiration mid-investigation, pop into the church at the end of Church Lane. It makes a natural pause while you are exploring this older corner of Chipping Norton.

The Theatre in Spring Street

This characterful building opened in 1888 as the Salvation Army Citadel, became a 1960s warehouse, and was then opened as a theatre in 1968 by two RSC actors. It was first designed by the same men behind many Victorian music halls - very fitting for a town caught up in comedy-circuit chaos.

Local Legends and Haunted Tales

Chipping Norton is said to be one of Britain's most haunted towns, with stories of strange lights, chilly draughts, shadowy figures and the ghostly Gunpowder Plot conspirators still lingering nearby. Keep your eyes peeled, Detectives - though the comic criminal is quite enough mystery for one day.