Nestled in the famous rolling hills of Gloucestershire, one village dubbed the “jewel of the Cotswolds” is often overlooked by its more famous neighbours, while being one of the best preserved and most historic towns in the whole region.
While thousands of tourists flock to Bourton-on-the-Water or Stow-on-the-Wold on your next trip to the Cotswolds, the idyllic market town of Chipping Campden may be worth a visit instead.
Steeped in history and charm, its slightly weathered honey coloured limestone walls line its old high street, with its town centre layout remaining relatively unchanged since its first plans back in the 12th century.
Chipping is the old word for market, so unsurprisingly, Chipping Campden has been a hub for Cotswold traders to set up shop.
While originally the sellers were focused on selling cheese, butter or poultry, now the high street is lined with luxury homeware shops and boutiques.
In its heyday between the 13th and 16th centuries, the town flourished as a wool trading centre, with the sheep scattered around the Cotswolds paying for it’s grand halls and churches, with Chipping Campden’s St James’s church said to be one of the best “wool” churches in the entire county.
At the heart of the town stands the Grade I-listed Market Hall, built in 1627 by Sir Baptist Hicks. Once intended as a shelter for traders, it has been perfectly preserved and later gifted to the National Trust for anyone to visit.
The town is also home to the Court Barn Museum, which tells the history of arts and crafts in the region. C R Ashbee brought the Guild of Handicraft to the Old Silk Mill in the town in 1902, although his project was largely unsuccessful as many artists headed back to the capital. His descendants still use the mill for their workshops today, with a Cotswolds arts scene still remaining intact thanks to his work.
The destination is great for walkers too, with Chipping Camden being the end point of the 104-mile Cotswolds Way, running all the way to Bath.
The news comes at a perfect time for a trip to the Cotswolds, as popular travel guide Lonely Planet named the region the best in Europe to visit in September.
They added: “This land of rolling hills, hiding historic towns and stone hamlets in their clefts and valleys, has long attracted urbanites seeking an English idyll.
“Visit in September not just to miss the heaviest onslaughts of coach tours, but to enjoy the countryside at its finest and to admire the leaves beginning to spark into their fiery autumn finery in the wonderful arboretums at Westonbirt and Batsford.”
The guide even gave a specific shoutout to the trail starting – or finishing – in Chipping Campden, calling it the perfect place for a day out meandering over its gentle hills.