Ever thought of… Chippenham?

Chippenham in Wiltshire is a bustling market town with a huge amount to offer groups – plus, its location makes it a great base from which to explore the surrounding area.

There is a wealth of historic buildings, beautifully maintained parks and modern shopping centres in Chippenham, and the River Avon and Wiltshire and Berkshire canal forms a peaceful backdrop to a number of walking routes.

Groups will love...

John Coles Park: Attracting 1,500 people on a sunny day, this public park offers a large open space and a circular tree-lined walk. Facilities include a bandstand, multi-use games area, tennis courts, bowls pavilion and refreshment kiosk.

The Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre: Set in a Grade II listed building and featuring displays from the Saxon era, via the Industrial Age to the modern day, this museum charts Chippenham’s local history. Admission is free, and it is open Monday to Saturday.

Treasure Trails: These self-guided trails are a fun way to explore Chippenham and its local surroundings. Solve the intriguing clues which can be found on buildings, statues and monuments to reveal fascinating local history – and don’t forget to have your cameras at the ready.

Pictured: John Coles Park. (Photo credit: www.visitwiltshire.co.uk).

Dates for your diary…

The annual Chippenham Folk Festival will take place from Friday 26th to Monday 29th May. This four-day long traditional folk music festival will present over 200 events, performances and demonstrations for audiences to enjoy.

Another festival worth considering is ChippFest. This is a ten-day long music, arts and drama festival that comes to the town at the end of June/beginning of July each year. Specific dates are yet to be confirmed.

Groups planning ahead to Christmas 2017 should note that Chippenham’s Christmas Lights Switch On and Christmas Market usually takes place on the last weekend in November and promises to be a weekend of fun festive activities.

Pictured: Chippenham town centre. (Photo credit: www.visitwiltshire.co.uk).

Where to eat and shop…

Hungry visitors are never short of options around Chippenham. The Garden Café Bar Grill (reopening this spring) is in the centre of Chippenham and offers a relaxing space to eat and drink locally-sourced produce.

Allington Farm Shop also prides itself in quality, home-produced and local food, with fresh meat from its 400-acre farm. Alongside the farm shop is Allington Café, which offers a tasty selection of seasonal produce.

Chippenham’s colourful and booming street markets are held on Fridays and Saturdays on the high street and offer a variety of traditional and modern stalls. There are also many shops and restaurants in the town centre for retail therapy followed by a stop for food.

Where to stay?

The Best Western Angel Hotel in the centre of Chippenham is a 400-year old coaching inn with 50 bedrooms, which has been extended to include a gym, indoor pool, courtyard garden and bedroom wing.

Pictured: River Avon, Chippenham. (Photo credit: www.visitwiltshire.co.uk).

What’s nearby?

The area surrounding Chippenham is famous for its stone villages. Lacock and Castle Combe are amongst the best known, and are regularly voted amongst the most beautiful in Britain.

Popular attractions such as Longleat, Bowood and Avebury are also not far away from Chippenham and offer various discounted rates and packages for group visitors.

For further information visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/chippenham.

Lead image: Chippenham. (Photo credit: www.visitwiltshire.co.uk).