Chippenham is one of Wiltshire's
most dynamic market towns with a population of over 40,000. The
combination of the old and the new, the historic architectural
gems, modern shopping centres and nearness to some of the country’s
greatest houses and historic villages, makes this town midway between
Bath and Swindon an ideal location for touring and access to
the southern Cotswolds.
Chippenham is set on a prominent crossing of
the River Avon and lies between the Malborough Downs to the East,
the Cotswolds to the North and West and Salisbury Plain to the
South. Surrounding the Town are a number of stone-built Cotswold
villages villages, including Lacock (National
Trust), Biddestone and Castle
Combe.
The great house and art treasures of Longleat, Bowood, Lacock Abbey,
Sheldon Manor and Corsham Court are within easy reach.
You can select an alternative Place to Visit from here
Chippenham hosts a full programme of established
annual events, combined with a variety of unique special celebrations
and activities.
Shrove Tuesday heralds the annual Pancake Races in the High Street.
The popular annual Folk Festival occurs over the second May Bank
Holiday. The bi-annual North Wiltshire Festival brings thousands
of visitors into the Town in July, with the annual Children’s
Fun Day occurring in August. September witnesses the Chippenham
Open Challenge Fishing Match on the River Avon, together with the
Beer Festival. October sees a Classic Car Rally and celebrates
50’s rock with the annual Eddie Cochran Festival. Guy Fawkes
Night is celebrated with spectacular Fireworks and a bonfire in
Monkton Park, with the spectacular and increasingly popular Christmas
Lights Switch On event lighting up the Town in November. The Town
Market occurs every Friday & Saturday in the Market Place,
with ongoing craft shows, antique and book fairs.
Spectacular
late 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park (16 miles from
Chippenham)
William and Mary mansion nestling in an ancient deer park
Lavish 17th-century collections reflect the fashion for all
things Dutch
Victorian domestic quarters give an insight into life below
stairs
Elegant formal gardens, woodland, and lakes to explore
Film location for 'Remains of the Day' (1993)
Travelling to Chippenham
By Car - The town is just 4 miles south of the M4 motorway, giving
easy access to London, Bristol and South Wales. The A4 coach road
from London provides an alternative route to Bristol via Bath,
and the A420 and B4069 bring you to Bristol and Oxford.
By Rail - Chippenham is on the main line rail route from London
Paddington to the West Country and is famous for it’s railway
arches and other buildings created by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when
he built the Great Western Railway. Bus services to Bath, Calne,
Devizes, Trowbridge and Swindon are available.
By Coach - National Coach services connect at Chippenham to London,
Wales the South West, Midlands and East Anglia. Cross town mini
bus services plus additional local services linking neighbouring
villages to the town are provided by a number of private operators.
