Chipping Campden - a town in the North Cotswolds

Possibly, internationally, the best known 'name' of the Cotswolds and once described as having 'the prettiest high street in England', Chipping Campden is the start of the walking trail known as the Cotswold Way. You can walk all 100 miles of it all the way to Bath, in the south.

Chipping Campden is an architectural gem of a town – from buildings of the 14th century, through the Regency and Georgian periods with few buildings that could said to be ‘modern’. There are still some thatched roofs but most have the typical stone tiles. A particularly remarkable example of architecture of the time of of rich wool merchants is a very grand 14th Century residence, 'Grevel's House. It can only be viewed from the street, as it is a private house. But stop to admire its perpendicular Gothic-style gabled window, gargoyles and a sundial. Opposite this is the Woolstaplers’ Hall, which for hundreds of years was a Wool Exchange. Merchants from London and Southern Europe came to buy Cotswold fleeces to sell on, round the world.

In the centre of the town you will see the open Merchant Hall (built 1627), its roof supported by pillars. This is where butter, cheese, poultry was traded. Also, on your list to visit, the 15th century St James Church, the Court Barn Museum (opposite, are the Alms houses, built 1612) and Edward Wilson's gardens. The town was the home of the Arts and Crafts movement founded by William Morris and friends at the end of the 19th Century/beginning of the 20th. Arts and crafts people thrive in the town to this day with shops selling unique silverware, jewellery, paintings and glass. The Gallery at The Guild, in the former silk mill, is home to contemporary and traditional craftspeople- artists, calligraphers, ceramicists, designers, furniture makers, photographers, sculptors and textile artists

The Cotswold Olimpick Games - sport competitions held on Dover's Hill, above Chipping Campden every year on the Friday after the Spring Bank Holiday, is an event celebrated since the early 17th Century. Join in if you are staying at our cottage www.houfy.com/1016 at that time!

There is a plethora of hotels, restaurants and tearooms so you will never go hungry in this town!

The only downside to Chipping Campden is its popularity so this makes finding a parking place quite difficult, particularly in the summer. Limited parking in the centre in the square (Pay parking) or if you are lucky, you might find someone leaving a place in the High Street.

Nearby villages to visit: Paxford (good gourmet pub) and Blockley a large and very pretty village which is relatively untouched by tourism.

Nearby attractions:

Hidcote Manor Gardens and the next door, privately owned, gardens at Kiftsgate, both of which lie between Chipping Campden and our cottage in Ilmington www.sansomecottage.co.uk

Dover’s Hill for walks