Chipping Norton is a market town as well as civil parish in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, about 12 miles (19 kilometres) southwest of Banbury and also 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Oxford. The 2011 Census recorded the church's population as 6,337. The community has its own theatre. The structure started life as a Salvation Army Citadel, with the first stones, currently visible in the amphitheater, being stocked 1888. It continued for some years as a furniture stockroom, prior to being discovered by two Royal Shakespeare Company stars, Tamara as well as John Malcolm in 1968. In 1973, fundraising for the brand-new theatre began in earnest, and a pantomime, Beauty and the Beast was staged in the city center. The Theatre was opened in 1975 by Tom Baker, the Doctor Who of the time, beginning with a light programme including films as well as lunchtime jazz concerts. The adjoining cottage was bought and also converted to come to be the bar and also gallery. In 1990 a building in Goddards Lane was purchased and this currently functions as green room, workplaces as well as wedding rehearsal space. The town likewise is a retail and also recreation centre for its area, with three grocery stores and many shops including branches of national store. It has four pubs and two resorts with public bars. The town has 3 institutions. Holy Trinity Roman Catholic College and St Mary's Church of England School are primary schools. Chipping Norton School is the community's secondary school and has a sixth form.