Chipping Campden is a small market town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 17th century. "Chipping" is from Old English ceping, "a market, a market-place".
At the center of the High Street stands the beautiful and iconic Market Hall which was built in 1627. Not only is the building iconic to Chipping Campden but also to the Cotswolds. The Market Hall was built by Sir Baptist Hicks to provide shelter to traders. The hall is still used - there were no markets the days we were there. The Market Hall building is now in the National Trust.
The long and windy High Street of Chipping Campden is one of the most beautiful in the Cotswolds. With a wealth of history and architecture mostly built in Cotswold stone, the High Street is riddled with history, heritage, and intrigue.
One of the most beautiful landmarks of Chipping Campden is the grand early perpendicular wool church of St James, with its medieval altar frontal, built around the 1500s, cope, built around the 1400s, and vast and extravagant 17th century monuments to local wealthy silk merchant Sir Baptist Hicks and his family. Around AD 1500, the West tower was built. At 120 feet in height it ensures that the Church is a landmark from whatever direction Chipping Campden is approached.
