The name Chipping Sodbury is derived from the old English words for market, Chipping and Sodbury from a Saxon word ‘soppa or stronghold’.
In the 12th century the settlement fell into the hands of local landowner William Crassus and he was granted a charter to hold markets. Chipping Sodbury became known particularly for its weaving and leather trades. Visitors will note the main street is very wide which was used to accommodate the market.
William Crassus obtained the right to hold an annual fair on the name day of St John the Baptist, the dedication of the parish church, 24th of June. In later years the town also held ‘mop’ fairs for the recruitment of agricultural labourers. Both fairs continue to this day although they are no longer about the hiring of workers.
Today Chipping Sodbury is a popular shopping destination, crammed with specialist shops, as well as being an important stop along the Cotswold tourist route.
