Chippenham

Chippenham is a market town in the south west of England, midway between the cities of Bath and Swindon. Its population has grown rapidly in the 21st century, and become Wiltshire's third largest town with 40,000 inhabitants.
The rapid expansion can be attributed to the development of the South West regional economy, and to the new housing estates developed in Chippenham such as the recent Cepen Park North and South areas to the west of the town and the earlier Pewsham estate to the east.
The town lies in the Avon Vale, the broad valley of the River Avon in the low lying claylands of north west Wiltshire. Chippenham is located at a convenient crossing point of the River Avon, within close proximity of the nearby towns of Corsham, Calne, Melksham and Malmesbury. Higher ground lies to the east of the town at the Marlborough Downs, to the north at the Cotswolds and to the south at Salisbury Plain.

History

The origins of Chippenham are believed to be from before Roman times, with remains of settlements from this time claimed to be in the wall behind the former magistrates court in the town today.
During Saxon times it emerged as an early settlement around 600 AD. There may also have been a royal forest and hunting lodge here that was used by Alfred the Great.
The name Chippenham may have been originated from Cyppa's Hamme - perhaps a Saxon chief called Cyppa, or from the word ce-ap meaning market, and Hamme meaning enclosed by the river or an enclosed water meadow. In its early years this was an area of small family farms, perhaps concentrating on dairy farming and cheese making.
The name is also claimed to be recorded as Cippanhamm, Cepen, Cheppeham, Shippenham and Chippyngham. The Domesday Book listed Chippenham as Cepen, with a population of 600-700 people in 1086. The town received a charter of incorporation in May 1554 by Queen Mary.

By road

Chippenham town centre is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from Junction 17 of the M4, linking to Swindon, Reading and London to the East and Bristol and South Wales to the West. It lies on the A4 (linking to Bath in the West) and the A350 (linking to Warminster and the South coast).

By railway

• Chippenham Railway Station

  address: Cocklebury Rd, Chippenham SN15 3QE
  On the Great Western mainline from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, served by a half-hourly Intercity service (operated by First Great Western). The main station building (on the South side of the station) contains a staffed ticket office, 3 ticket machines and an independent café (serving food, drinks and newspapers). Car parks on the north and south sides of the station and bicycle parking, a taxi rank and bus stops on the South side. Trains serve both sides of an island platform, accessed by steps from the north or south sides of the station. Step-free access requires assistance from station staff to cross at track level.

By bus

First Group operates the 231/232 route to Bath (via Corsham) and 234 to Frome.
Stagecoach operates the 55 to Swindon (via Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett).
AD Rains, Andybus, APL Travel, Badgerline, Coachstyle and Faresaver operate services to surrounding towns and villages. Details can be found on Travel Search (Chippenham) and Wiltshire Council.
National Express coach services call at Chippenham: Northampton to Bristol (302), Bath to London (403) and Penzance to London (404).

By bicycle

• National Cycle Route 403Crosses the North Wessex Downs and Savernake Forest, linking Chippenham to Marlborough and the Kennet & Avon Canal.

• National Cycle Route 254Part of the Wiltshire Cycleway through the South Wiltshire Downs. Passes 3½ miles (5 km) SW of the town

• National Cycle Route 4Runs London to Fishguard, passing 9 miles (14 km) S of the town

The town is small enough to get around on foot.

Surrounding the town are many ancient villages, including Lacock, Castle Combe, Langley Burrell, Kington Langley, Derry Hill, Kington St Michael, Colerne, Yatton Keynell and Biddestone.
There are also several manor houses and gardens nearby including Bowood Estate, Lacock Abbey, Sheldon Manor and Corsham Court, and the Castle Combe Circuit
World Heritage Site of Bath, Stonehenge and Longleat are popular day trips.

• Corsham Court

  phone: +44 1249 712214
  address: Corsham
  The stately home can also be found in the town centre. Standing on a former Saxon Royal Manor, it is based on an Elizabethan manor home from 1582. Since 1745, it has been part of the Methuen estate. The house has an extensive collection of Old Masters, rooms furnished by Robert Adam and Thomas Chippendale, and parks landscaped by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton. The house is open to the public January-November, and is famed locally for its peacocks, which freely wander about the streets.

• Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum

  phone: +44 1249 730459
  address: Lacock, near Chippenham SN15 2LG

• Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre

  phone: +44 1249 705020
  address: 9-10 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HF

• Bowood House

  phone: +44 1249 812102
  address: Calne SN11 0LZ

• The Cause

  phone: +44 1249 446893
  address: 42 The Causeway, Chippenham SN15 3DD

• Chippenham Folk Festival

  phone: +44 1249 657190
  address: The Cause Music and Arts Centre, 42, The Causeway SN15 3DD
  Over 200 events taking place within the town centre. The main ceilidh and concert events take place in the beautiful park alongside the river. The annual festival takes place in late May.

• Baydons Wood1 ha woodland (parking not easy).

• M4 Karting

  phone: +44 1666 838234
  address: Hangar 88 Hullavington Airfield, Chippenham SN14 6GU

• Drive-Tech

  phone: +44 1249 783010
  address: Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham SN14 7BW
  Skid pan, 4x4, karting.

• Kids Combat Adventures

  phone: +44 1249 721196
  address: The Croft Startley, Chippenham SN15 5HG

• Friday & Saturday Market

  phone: +44 300 456 0100
  address: High St, Chippenham

Supermarkets

• Morrisons

  phone: +44 1249 656992
  address: Cepen Park North, Chippenham SN14 6UZ
  Petrol station, pharmacy & cafe (different hours), ATMs.

• Sainsbury's

  phone: +44 1249 444781
  address: Bath Rd, Chippenham SN14 0BJ

Cyclists

• Cycology

  phone: +44 1249 461997
  address: 20 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1HS

Restaurants

Chippenham has a small selection of fine local restaurants:

• Ashoka

  phone: +44 1249 461234
  address: 62 Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HG
  Simple or spicy Indian food freshly prepared every day.

• Cafe India

  phone: +44 1249 660330
  address: 5a New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1EL
  Simple or spicy Indian food freshly prepared every day (order online).

There is a selection of Indian and Chinese restaurants around the town, very few chain restaurants, with a Pizza Express in the town centre, Pizza Hut further out of town and McDonald's and Burger King around the town's bypass.

• La Passione

  phone: +44 1249 652162
  address: 29 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1HZ

• Prezzo

  phone: +44 1249 446028
  address: 57-58 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1ES

• The Raj

  phone: +44 1249 447062
  address: 18A Station Hill, Chippenham SN15 1EG

• Rivo Lounge

  phone: +44 1249 657241
  address: 2-4 The Bridge, Chippenham SN15 1EX

Pub food

• The Gladstone Arms

  phone: +44 1249 660535
  address: 34 Gladstone Rd, Chippenham SN15 3BW
  Gastro-pub with dedicated restaurant area serving high quality classic dishes.

• The Brunel

  phone: +44 1249 653100
  address: 54-55 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1ES

• The Old Tavern

  phone: +44 1249 247080
  address: Old Rd, Chippenham SN15 1JA

• The Black Horse

  phone: +44 7968 004510 (mobile)
  address: 62 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1ES

• Bridge House

  phone: +44 1249 450980
  address: Borough Parade, Chippenham SN15 3WL

• The Three Crowns

  phone: +44 1249 449029
  address: 18 The Causeway, Chippenham SN15 3DB

• The Four Seasons

  phone: +44 1249 448118
  address: 6 Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HD

There are several hotels in the town centre, with more nearby.

Town

• Angel Hotel

  phone: +44 1249 652615
  address: Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HD
  A 17th-century coaching inn, extensively refurbished with a blend of traditional and contemporary style. 50 en-suite bedrooms, including: 4 four-poster bedrooms, 2 bedrooms equipped for guests with a disability, 32" LCD TV with Freeview and Sky Sports 1 in all rooms, complementary Wi-Fi in all bedrooms and public areas, private dining rooms, brasserie, 2 bars, 4 conference rooms, wedding receptions, heated indoor swimming pool and gymnasium and free parking.

• Premier Inn

  phone: +44 871 527 8244 (premium)
  address: Cepen Park, West Cepen Way, Chippenham SN14 6UZ
  Comfortable beds in every room & onsite Brewers Fayre restaurant serving pub food in a family friendly environment.

• Red Box Guest House

  phone: +44 1249 444988 or +44 7796 616647
  address: 35 Buckingham Rd, Pewsham, Chippenham SN15 3TE
  A modern Bradstone home with a landscaped garden, patio and summer house, in a quiet cul-de-sac. Off-road parking and a restored 1936 red telephone box on the drive. Centrally heated throughout, en-suite bedrooms, digital TV with Freeview, DVD player, clock radio/alarm, hospitality tray, Wi-Fi, iron and hairdryer.

• New Road Guest House

  phone: +44 1249 657259
  address: 31 New Rd, Chippenham, SN15 1HP
  This friendly, family-run B&B in the heart of Chippenham has ten bedrooms, five in the Main House and five in the Coach House in the garden, with a mixture of singles, doubles, twins and family rooms, all of which have Freeview TV and a hospitality tray.

• The Pines

  phone: +44 1249 461212
  address: 81-82 Marshfield Rd, Chippenham, SN15 1JR
  The Pines Hotel is fully licensed and prides itself on its home cooking and friendly atmosphere. Over 20 rooms, free wireless internet, private car park and wheel chair access. There are facilities for small conferences, wedding receptions and private functions. A beer/patio garden open all year. Restaurant serving Greek and Cypriot cuisine; the chef is a Greek national.

• The Bear Hotel

  phone: +44 1249 650647
  address: 12 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HJ
  Bar, free Internet access (wireless) in public areas, pool, non-smoking (throughout), lock-up facility for bicycles.

Elsewhere out of town

• Stanton Manor Hotel

  phone: +44 1666 837552
  address: Stanton Saint Quintin, Near Chippenham, SN14 6DQ
  Combining heritage with a modern approach, set in private grounds. Enjoying a relaxed meal or for longer visits whilst exploring the local area. Private, AA Rosette award-winning cuisine, with local, seasonal produce and an experienced chef, menus can be fully tailored to suit requirements. The entire house can be reserved to ensure a private dining experience. Placed at the gateway to the Cotswolds, with a range of private rooms and corporate facilities, inviting accommodation and a welcoming restaurant open to non-residents.

• Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa

  phone: +44 1225 742777
  address: Colerne, Chippenham SN14 8AZ
  A 5-star hotel and spa set in the Wiltshire countryside near the city of Bath. The hotel offers numerous activities including an equestrian centre and has a Michelin Star restaurant.

• Post Office

  address: 24 New Rd, Chippenham SN15 1HS

• Chippenham Library

  phone: +44 1249 650536
  address: Timber St, Chippenham SN15 3EJ
  Free WiltsOnline public Wi-Fi available.

• Swindon - Known for its history as the heart of the Great Western Railway, 15 minutes by train (or 30 minutes by car on the A350 dual carriageway and M4 motorway)
• Bath - Easily accessible, this beautiful Roman City boasts magnificent architecture, parks and shopping as well as its world-famous Roman Baths. 15 miles WSW
• Chipping Sodbury 20 miles to W.
• Melksham 8 miles to S.
• Avebury famous for its neolithic stone circle 14 miles to E.
• Devizes 12 miles to SE.
• Malmesbury southern Cotswold town, 11 miles to N.