A Brief History of Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds
Chipping Campden is one of the most historically significant market towns in the Cotswolds, with roots stretching back to Saxon times.
Its name comes from the Old English Campden, meaning a valley with an enclosed field, while Chipping derives from ceap, referring to a market. This reflects the town’s long-standing role as a centre of trade.
By the Middle Ages, Chipping Campden had become a prosperous wool town, benefiting from its position on key trading routes between London and the Midlands. Wealth generated by the wool trade funded many of the town’s fine buildings, including the Grade I-listed Market Hall, built in 1627 to shelter traders and protect the market.
Nearby, St James’ Church contains one of the finest collections of medieval brasses in England, offering insight into the town’s affluent past. Chipping Campden also has a long tradition of local festivities, including Robert Dover’s Cotswold Olimpick Games, a historic mix of sport, ceremony and folklore held on the hills above the town, and Scuttlebrook Wake, a lively celebration with deep roots in local rural culture.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chipping Campden became closely associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. Designer C.R. Ashbee established a community of craftsmen here, leaving a lasting influence on the town’s creative identity. Today, Chipping Campden is also known as the traditional starting point of the Cotswold Way National Trail, continuing its historic role as a gateway for travellers exploring the surrounding countryside.
