Chipping Campden
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With one of the most picturesque high streets, Chipping Campden often gets overlooked by tourists in favour of the more Instagram-famous villages. Chipping Campden is one of my closest villages and one of my favourites. The High Street has 270 listed buildings; there are some quaint and some innovative places to eat and drink, and it has so far avoided the hordes seen in other parts of the Cotswolds.
When to Visit
There is no real ‘good’ or ‘bad’ time to visit Chipping Campden; it just depends on what kind of trip you are planning.
Spring
This time of year can be a mixed bag when it comes to weather, one of the many joys (or downsides!) of the UK. Spring days can be sunny and warm, snow ten minutes later, then sunshine again. However, if you can handle this unpredictability, this is a beautiful time to visit. Swaths of bluebells, trees in blossom, and fields full of tiny lambs make it worth it. It is also quieter than summer, especially if you avoid the Easter school holidays.
Summer
The busiest time of year in Chipping Campden is when the flowers are in bloom, and the weather is most reliable. Visiting the town early or later in the day will help you avoid the crowds, although it doesn’t tend to attract the same numbers as Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Autumn
Autumn sees the village quieten down. However, it is the perfect weather to enjoy one of the many local walks, so expect to see lots of walkers.
Winter
This is the quietest time of year and the coldest. Considered the ‘off season,’ this is when you will find cheaper accommodation and find it easier to navigate the High Street. However, December sees the crowds pick up, with everyone looking to enjoy a bit of the Cotswolds Christmas festivities.
The History
You only need to look around Chipping Campden to see how old it is! Humans have been calling this patch of ground ‘home’ since the 7th century. The term ‘chipping’ comes from the Old English for ‘market’ and ‘market-place.’ By the publication of the Domesday Book in 1086, Chipping Campden had a population of 300.
In 1185, Lord Hugh de Gondeville was granted a market charter by King Henry II. He then embarked on some very early town planning, which you can still see today. The bend of the High Street follows the River Cam, and he designated plots of land for craftsmen and traders, which are still visible.
Chipping Campden really came into its own during the wool trade in the 14th and 15th centuries. Wool from Cotswold Lion sheep was highly valued all across Europe, bringing unprecedented wealth into the area. Many of the beautiful buildings still visible in the village today were built during this time. One of the most impressive is Grevel House, built by the area’s most successful wool merchant, William Grevel.
After the 15th century, wool lost its financial pull, and the area was used to farm the less profitable meat and, briefly, silk. In 1904, etcher and architect FL Griggs moved to the town and made it his mission to conserve and preserve the town’s beauty. We can thank him for the beautifully intact High Street we can enjoy today.
Things to See and Do
Chipping Campden doesn’t have lots of attractions to see and visit, but there is enough to occupy a good part of your day, longer if you do any of the local walks or tours.
Market Hall
Standing proudly at the centre of the High Street, the Market Hall has been the centre of trade since 1627. It was paid for by Sir Baptist Hicks, who was a local wealthy trader.
The hall was used by traders to sell their goods, including cheese, butter, poultry, and most importantly for the Cotswolds, wool. One quick look at how worn the floor is tells you how often it was used!
In 1940, the site was almost bought by an American. However, the community rallied together and raised the money to buy it. They donated it to the National Trust, which still looks after it today.
St. James Church
Off the main thoroughfare, St. James’ Church stands as a reminder of how rich the Cotswolds were in the past. The current church you can see today was built in the 16th century, using some of the original Norman Church built in 1180.
This is an example of a wool church, which was built by local wealthy merchants to display the prosperity of the Cotswolds at the time.
Court Barn Museum
Tues-Sun 10 am-4 pm (closed Mondays) £7 (under 18s free)
The Court Barn Museum celebrates the talents of the local designers and craftsmen who have worked in the North Cotswolds since the twentieth century. The Museum explores the Arts and Crafts Movement, featuring designers such as Gordon Russell (furniture), the Hart Family (silversmiths), Katherine Adams (bookbinder), and Robert Welsh (silversmith).
Where to Eat and Drink
Despite its small size, Chipping Campden punches above its weight in terms of places to eat, especially when it comes to cafes and snacks.
Huxley's
This family-owned brasserie is located in a beautiful 500-year-old building. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a small bakery underneath selling fresh bread, coffee, and sweet treats. There is also a good number of gluten-free options.
MOR HQ
This is my absolute favourite for a weekend coffee and cake on a slow weekend morning. This is the headquarters of a popular local Copenhagen-inspired bakery, which you can see being baked behind the counter. You can get coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, which are all baked on-site and can be enjoyed in their small patio and cafe. Pizzas and pop-ups on Friday nights.
Eight Bells
This fourteenth-century inn is still privately owned and run today. Here, you can get traditional pub food with no frills attached. They also have Sunday roasts and a children’s menu.
Gelato Chipping Campden
This little shop serves homemade gelato made on the family farm in Elmore. The flavors on offer change weekly, and they have some really unique ones (amaretto cherry was a particular recent favourite of mine!) Lots of dairy-free and gluten-free options.
Bantam Tea Rooms
This cute traditional tea room serves a selection of homemade cakes, lunches, and drinks. You can also enjoy an afternoon tea or breakfast. It is first-come, first-served, so expect to wait for a table during busy times.
Chipping Campden Cocktail Bar
Tucked inside the Cotswold House and Spa, this bar serves an interesting selection of cocktails designed by their in-house mixologists. They also run dining nights monthly, as well as cocktail-making classes (£55).
Outside Chipping Campden
Dover’s Hill
A five-minute drive from Chipping Campden, Dover’s Hill offers spectacular views of the local area. A natural amphitheatre, the Black Mountains in South Wales are even visible on a clear day. At the top there is a toposcope, which shows you which direction all the local landmarks and places of interest are.
Dover’s Hill was the original site of the English Olympic Games, which began back in 1612 and can still be seen every summer under the name Cotswolds Olimpick Games. Here you can see traditional games including ‘shin-kicking’, ‘Champion of the Hill’, and ‘Tug O’ War ’.
Little Oak Vineyard
Little Oak Vineyard planted its first Siegerrebe vines in 2006. Since then, they have won several awards for their sparkling wine and white wine. Today, the vineyard holds tours and wine tastings (£25), as well as selling sparkling wine, white wine, and brandy.
Where to Shop
There isn’t a great number of shops in Chipping Campden, but there are some you shouldn’t miss.
Fillet and Bone
This treasure trove of culinary delights is housed in a butcher’s shop. They sell picnic items, meat, local cheese, fruit, and spices.
Toke’s Food and Drink
This shop has a good deli counter, ideal for grabbing food to enjoy in the park or on Dover’s Hill. The back of the shop is dedicated to wine, and they often do tastings.
Sam Wilson
This award-winning shop showcases designs by Sam Wilson Studio. Their rural designs can be bought on a range of products including cards, prints, and tea towels. They also sell home decor items, clothes, and some gorgeous candles. They use local craftsmen to manufacture their products, with ceramics from Stoke-on-Trent and textiles from Lancashire.
Where to Stay
Cotswold House & Spa
From £137
This award-winning hotel is right on the High Street, making it the ideal base to explore Chipping Campden from. Inside a Regency townhouse, there is all the grandeur you would expect from a Cotswolds hotel, along with a spa and a good restaurant. The bar is a great place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail from their innovative menu.
The Cow Shed
From £182
This Airbnb is beautifully designed, and everything is thoughtfully considered. This cosy cottage has one bedroom, and it is ideal for that romantic getaway. The traditional yet chic decor is stunning, and there is an outdoor space to enjoy those late English summer evenings.
Eight Bells
From £
This traditional pub has already been featured, but it also has rooms. There isn’t anything particularly fancy here, but it’s a great affordable option with a great location.
Hyll Hotel
From £214
This is understated luxury at its finest. Designed using predominantly natural materials and a muted palette, this is the place to unwind and slow down. Each of the 26 rooms is uniquely styled, and the restaurant serves good food using locally-sourced ingredients. The cocktail menu is also not to be missed.
Visiting with Children
As Chipping Campden is one of the quieter villages in the Cotswolds, it is easy to navigate and explore with children in tow. Kids will love choosing a brightly coloured ice cream from Gelato, or one of the many cakes to choose from throughout the village. When they just need to run off some energy, there is a great free park a 5-minute walk from the High Street. There is plenty of green space, so it makes an excellent picnic spot. Dover’s Hill is another great picnic spot, which can usually be enjoyed with an accompaniment of sheep who graze on the hills.
The Practical Bit
By Car
The easiest way to go to and around Chipping Campden is by car. The main car park is on the High Street, which is pay and display/pay by app. Charges apply between 7 am and 7 pm with a maximum stay of two hours.
During weekends and in the evenings, you can park in the school car park. The first hour is free, and then it’s charged by the hour.
There is also lots of on-street parking around and on the High Street. This can be hit or miss, but it is free.
If you are staying in one of the hotels, speak to them directly as many have their own private parking spaces.
By Public Transport
As it is with most villages in the Cotswolds, it isn’t the easiest to get to by public transport. There is no train station, and there are limited taxis. Ubers are around but not particularly reliable.
However, with some planning, you can get there by bus. A bus runs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh, also stopping in Broadway. These run between 6 am and 7 pm. The timetable can be found on the Stagecoach website.
FAQs
Is there much to do in Chipping Campden?
Chipping Campden is one of the smaller villages in the Cotswolds, so it has fewer attractions, especially for children. However, this also means it is quieter than some of the other villages. This makes it a great place to explore at a slower pace.
What are places not to miss when I visit Chipping Campden?
This will depend on what you like to do, but my top things to do are to grab a coffee and pastry from MOR. Then head over to Dover’s Hill and enjoy the epic view.