Chipping Campden : A Guide to One of the Best Preserved Cotswolds Towns

Chipping Campden Best Cotswolds villages things to do


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A beautiful market town tucked away in the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden is a must-visit spot. With its quiet High Street and historic architecture, it’s perfect for a leisurely shop and stroll day. It feels like a hidden gem and, to me, a combination of Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway. In this guide, I’ll take you through the best things to do, see and eat in Chipping Campden, plus a bonus stop I like to visit when I’m nearby.


Quick Summary:

➜  Location: Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds
➜ Time Needed: 1-3 hours (longer if you are doing the Cotswold Way walk)
➜ Parking: Paid car parks close to the High Street
➜ Public Transport: Closest to Moreton-in-Marsh Station, then take the bus
➜ Accessibility: Flat, Walkable town centre, but surrounding walks are hilly and uneven
➜ Best For: Walkers, couples & relaxed sightseeing days
➜ Highlights:  Start of Cotswold Way, historic Market Hall, countryside walks


Shops Chipping Campden Cotswolds high street


Things to Do in Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden is on the smaller side, but it’s still full of beautiful Cotswolds gems. From historic buildings to countryside walks, the things to do here are perfect for a slower, quieter visit. If you’re travelling with children or looking for villages packed with activities, places like Bourton-on-the-Water may be a better fit, as Chipping Campden is more about relaxed wandering than entertainment focussed attractions.

  • High Street - Wander around the beautiful High Street and explore all the historic buildings and independent shops.

    Market Hall - Definitely my highlight of Chipping Campden. This 400-year-old Market Hall stands right in the middle of the High Street and is a beautiful piece of architecture.

    Court Barn Museum - Learn about the history of artists and designers from the North Cotswolds since the 1900s.

    Kiftsgate Court Gardens - Family-owned, romantic English gardens just outside the town, open from April to September.

    Cotswold Way - Crazy enough? Chipping Campden is the start of a 102-mile walk linking the Cotswolds all the way to Bath. If you don’t want to do all that but are still up for a challenge, you can walk to the next town, Broadway, in around 3 hours.


Market Hall shops Chipping Campden Cotswolds


Places to Eat/Drink in Chipping Campden

Out of all the delicious places to eat & drink in Chipping Campden, these 5 spots come out on top - the perfect places to grab a bite in this beautiful town.

  • The Red Lion - Charming, relaxed pub serving traditional meals & beers.
  • Da Luigi Bistro - Authentic Italian food with dishes like wood-fired pizzas & homemade pastas.
  • Gelato - Serving award-winning gelato & even thick hot chocolate in colder months too.
  • Eight Bells Inn - A 14th-century gastro pub with delicious, hearty classics.
  • Michael's Mediterranean - Mediterranean restaurant known as 'a little corner of Cyprus'. 

Where to eat Chipping Campden best Cotswolds restaurants


How to Get There


By Car 
  • The easiest way to reach Chipping Campden is definitely by car. You have more freedom to explore other villages and can also see everything at your own pace. Keep in mind, you will have to drive on windy country roads, so make sure you take your time if that's not something you're used to. 


Public Transport 
  • Luckily, many major UK cities offer either direct or one-stop trains to a village close by called Moreton-in-Marsh. You can reach this station from London Paddington, for example, in as little as 90 minutes. From there, take one of the stagecoach buses (between 1/1A/2/2A) from The Black Bear in Moreton-in-Marsh to The Town Hall in Chipping Campden. Routes 2 or 2A would be best as the journey takes 27 minutes, rather than the 1/1A, which takes 47 minutes. Tickets cost £2-£3 per ride and run a few times a day.  Alternatively, you could take a 15 minute taxi from the station if you are okay with the cost.

Save & Book your trains now ➜ Here
Information on the Public Transport routes ➜ Here


By Guided Tour 
  •  If you would prefer a stress-free way of getting to & exploring Chipping Campden, many highly rated guided tours leave from major cities like London and Stratford-upon-Avon, and explore a few villages or attractions, including Chipping Campden, all in a day. There are also private tours if you want to explore in a group with some privacy. Here are my top recommendations. Don't wait too long to book them as they frequently sell out!



Looking for more Cotswolds tours? ➜  Visit Here


Where to Stay

Chipping Campden is a perfect village to stay in, especially if you want a quieter atmosphere but also be close to other villages in the North Cotswolds. All these places are highly rated and in the heart of the town. 

  • Eight Bells Inn (17th-century B&B with breakfast inc.) ➜ Book Now
  • The Red Lion (16th-century charming pub & rooms in the middle of the High Street) ➜ Book Now
  • Hyll Hotel (14th-century stone manor house with pool facilities & breakfast inc.) ➜ Book Now
  • Cotswold House Hotel & Spa (Beautiful Hotel with pool & breakfast inc) ➜ Book Now

Bonus Stop: Hidcote Manor & Gardens (National Trust)


If you have a little extra time but not enough to travel to further villages, Hidcote Manor & Gardens is a beautiful nearby pick. Just a 10 minute drive away, it's a world-famous arts & crafts garden with so many beautiful plants & corners to explore. Things not to miss are definitely the hand-painted outdoor, quiet room, beautiful walks through the grounds, the manor with a few rooms to explore and best of all, the wisteria which starts to grow in the gardens during spring. It's part of the National Trust, so if you are a member, it will be free. If not, visit their website below to see the prices:

Hidcote Manor Information ➜  Click Here


Hidden gem Cotswolds Hidcote Manor National Trust


As you can see, Chipping Campden is definitely a must-visit market town in the Cotswolds with beautiful architecture and a quiet atmosphere. If you're visiting soon, don't forget to save this blog post to help you plan your trip - below are other Cotswolds resources that will help you too. Enjoy!


Related Posts

➜ Want to see more of Chipping Campden? Watch my TikTok itinerary ➜ Click Here 

➜  For a complete guide to the top spots in the Cotswolds, read my other post  ➜ Click Here

Location: Chipping Campden, UK

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