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Chipping Campden is the prime example
of a Cotswold market town. It is steeped in history and although very beautiful
it has not yet been spoilt by tourism and still has a peaceful relaxed air
about it. A good place to start your visit is to call at the small tourist
information centre in the High Street opposite the old Market Hall and pick up
a town map or guide.Chipping Campden is an old wool town and as usual has a large church St. James on the edge of town,
built by the towns wool merchants in
the 15th century. Close to the church is a stunning row of Almshouses built in 1612 by Sir Baptist Hicks a wealthy benefactor to the town at a cost of £1,000, to house six poor Men and six poor women. Another historic feature of the town the Jacobean Market Hall, was also built by him in 1627, to provide shelter for the butter and cheese stalls. It is now owned by the National Trust.
The main street comprises of many splendid Cotswold stone Buildings, erected between the 14th and 17th centuries when the wool trade was at its peak. Grevel House and the Woolstaplers hall are
amongst the oldest and
finest.In 1902 C.R.Ashbee arrived to settle in Chipping Campden with craftsmen from London's East End, in pursuit of of their rural idyll. They practised a wide variety of crafts including silver, some of the craftsmen remained after the Guild disbanded in 1908 and silversmiths still work in the old Silk Mill in Sheep Street.
Chipping Campden can be reached from the A44 near Stow on the Wold via the B4081
