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In modern times commercial activity has diversified in Chippenham, it's industrial era now having passed.
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Chippenham is strategically placed at Junction 17 of the M4 and near the M5 and Fosse Way routes from the Midlands to south coastal towns, and is an excellent tourist base for exploring South West England, the Cotswolds and South Wales.
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Eddie Cochran memorial
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Lacock
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Corston
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Maud Heath's Causeway, 1474
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Malmesbury
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| About Chippenham |
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Historically, Chippenham was a market town, being on the edge of the Cotswold sheep farming community, on the mail coach route from London to the West of England, and on the route between Welsh pig producers and their London market.
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Today the railway offers London commuters the opportunity of living in a 'green and pleasant land', surrounding villages ranking among the most beautiful in the country. Urban sprawl is replaced by colourful, interesting, historic towns such as Bradford on Avon, Calne, Devizes, Malmesbury Melksham and Trowbridge, all still separated by green fields.
To a large extent tourism has passed Chippenham by, possibly due to the nearby magnet of Georgian Bath, and possibly because Chippenham has never made great efforts to exploit the undoubted tranquillity and beauty of its River Avon.
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However, discerning visitors will appreciate the rich contrasting collage of half timber, red brick, and Bath and Costswold stone in surrounding buildings, and the colour and excitement of the annual Folk Festival.
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| On weekdays you can visit the Waterside Cafe in the Council Offices in Monkton Hill, where you will enjoy excellent food in relaxing surroundings at very reasonable prices, and with a wonderful view of the River Avon. |
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The advent of Brunel's broad gauge Great Western Railway brought not only fast communication with London, South Wales and the West of England, but gave birth to a major railway engineering industry, specialising in railway signalling ( Evans & O'Donnell, later Saxby & Farmer, and now Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company) and railway vehicle braking systems.
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Bradford on Avon
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Sculpture, Calne
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Devizes
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| Chippenham, Folk Festival |
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Biddestone
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Castle Combe
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