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Chipping
Campden
This is Cotswold countryside at its very best. The market town of
Chipping Campden is set in rolling hills, in an area given over to agriculture
and sheep farming. The town is located close to the world famous gardens
at Hidcote and Kiftsgate, but it deserves a visit in its right.
Chipping
Campden received its first borough charter in 1185, and a market was
established near the present High Street. At that time it was known
as Campedene. Within a century that market area was being called "Cepynge
Campedene," or "Market Campden."
The parish church of St. James was built in the Norman period, at which
time it was known as St. Katherines. The prosperity of the Cotswolds
during the Middle Ages led to the rebuilding of St. James' during the
15th century, under the patronage of William Grevel. Inside the church,
a memorial brass to Grevel calls him, "the flower of the wool merchants
of England." Grevel was responsible for building the aptly named Grevel
House, on High Street, with a two story bay window dating to 1380. The
church boasts some interesting fittings, including a 15th century brass
lectern shaped like a falcon, altar hangings from 1500, and a ceremonial
cope from 1400.
In
the churchyard is the tomb of Sir Baptist Hicks, a former Lord Mayor
of London, who made his fortune by lending money to James I. Hicks was
responsible for the Market Hall, built in 1627. This is without doubt
the most recognizeable building in Chipping Campden, oif not the entire
Cotswolds. Hicks was also responsible for the Jacobean Campden Manor
(1612).
Unfortunately, the manor was partly destroyed by Royalist troops in
the Civil War, to prevent it from falling into the hands of Parliament.
Only fragmentary remains of the manor can be seen, including the entrance
gateways and part of the frontage. More intact are the 12 Almshouses,
also built by Hicks., and still used to provide housing to local pensioners.
Then there is the Woolstaplers Hall, which, for a nice change, had
nothing to do with Sir Baptist Hicks. The Hall was erected in 1340 to
serve as a merchant exchange. Merchants came from as far afield as Florence
to buy Cotswold wool at the Hall, which was sympathetically restored
in the early 20th century.
The oldest inn in Chipping Campden is The Eight Bells, on Church Street.
It dates from the 16th century, though by the next century it was divided
into two separate houses. The Noel Arms on High Street once hosted the
future Charles II, who rested here after the Battle of Worcester in
1651. Chipping Campden Grammar School was founded in the early 15th
century by John Fereby (or Verby), and his wife, Margery. The school
was extensively rebuilt in 1628. A few miles across country from Chipping
Campden lies the 14th century manor of Charrington.
For a closer look at some of the attractive historic architecture in
the village, and the quite lovely cottages, visit our Chipping
Campden Photo Gallery.
A short walk north of Chipping Campden brings you to the manor of Burnt
Norton. If the name of the house rings a vague bell in your mind,
you're not mistaken; it is the name of the opening poem of Four Quartets,
by TS Eliot. The story goes that the poet was inspired by the gardens
surrounding the house to write his poem, musing on the nature of time
and its passage. The garden is generally open only by prior arrangement,
or as a location for special events.
Just one mile northwest of Chipping Campden is Dovers Hill,
184 acres of green space located on a spur of the Cotswold escarpment,
giving excellent views over the Vale of Evesham. On this spot in 1612
a local lawyer named Robert Dover initiated a peculiar competition known
as the Cotswold Olympics, an annual sporting event-cum-fair incorporating
traditional Cotswold folk customs such as shin-kicking and cheeserolling
The Cotswold Olympics were banned during the Commonwealth period following
the Civil War, reinstated after the Restoration, and again banned by
a prim Victorian vicar in 1851. Finally the fair was reintroduced in
1951. The Cotswold Olympics is held on the first Friday after Whitsun.
Nearby Towns & Villages: Burnt Norton, Hidcote Bartrim, Broad
Campden
See: Chipping
Campden Photo Gallery
Nearby
Hidcote
Manor Gardens
Kiftsgate
Gardens
Regional attractions:
Cotswolds
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Accommodation
| Gloucestershire |
Apple Tree Cottage
Blockley
Self catering cottage
Apple Tree Cottage offers downstairs cloakroom and toilet with wash basin, diner/kitchen. 1st floor sitting room second floor double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with bath … more >>
Sleeps 2
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| Gloucestershire |
Flowers Barn
Middle Duntisbourne
Self catering cottage
The master bedroom known as Prince’s Stable is a double bedroom and features the original elm stable partition. The bathroom is fitted with a … more >>
Sleeps 8
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| Chipping Campden (Hotel) |
Noel Arms Classic
At the centre of a traditional countryside scene, this hotel located in the High Street has been named a conservation area. Chipping Campden is one of the most famous and best-loved towns in the Cotswolds, and it can be explored from this charming hotel. … more >>
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| Chipping Campden (Hotel) |
The Kings Arms Hotel And Brasserie
With its excellent location near to Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Oxford, Snowshill, The King's is an ideal base for walking, sightseeing, or just eating & drinking in our award winning restaurant.When we first came to this fantastic, 17th & 18th century mellow Cotswold stone townhouse hotel, bang in the middle … more >>
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