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The Town Today
Chippenham today is a thriving hub of business and community life with a wide range of community input and neighbourhood social investment. The town is home to major employers alongside a wealth of SMEs, start-ups, independent shops and cafés. Its busy town centre blends national retailers with quirky independents, while surrounding business parks support industries ranging from logistics and engineering to design, technology and pharmaceuticals.
As one of Wiltshire’s fastest-growing towns with a population of around 50,000, Chippenham continues to attract inward investment, talent and creativity - balancing its historic character with a modern outlook.
About Chippenham
Town history & information
The Town’s History
Chippenham is one of Wiltshire’s most vibrant and historic market towns, with roots stretching back to Saxon times. Mentioned in the Domesday Book and once a royal vill of Alfred the Great, the town grew as an important river crossing and thriving centre of trade.
Chippenham developed rapidly during the industrial age with the arrival of the Great Western Railway, and today it is a hub for manufacturing, technology, retail and services. Known as a welcoming and growing town, Chippenham blends historic heritage with modern development.
The town sits on the River Avon, just 13 miles east of Bath, and is surrounded by picturesque villages and countryside. Its historic landmarks include St Andrew’s Church, Yelde Hall, the Buttercross, Chippenham Museum and the medieval Causeway.
Transport Connections
Chippenham is exceptionally well connected. The mainline railway station offers direct trains to London Paddington in just over an hour, along with routes to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Reading. The M4 motorway is only a few miles away, linking the town to London, South Wales and the Midlands. Bristol Airport is within a 45-minute drive.
Chippenham Origins
Chippenham has a long history as a thriving market town, with records of weekly markets dating back to the 9th century. The bustling market square was once filled with traders selling livestock, wool, cloth, corn, and produce from the surrounding countryside, helping to establish Chippenham as an important trading hub in Wiltshire.
As the town grew, industries such as malting, brewing, and cloth-making flourished. The River Avon and the arrival of the Great Western Railway in the 19th century spurred further development, turning Chippenham into a centre for engineering, trade, and later manufacturing. Historically famous for its markets and craftsmanship, Chippenham’s heritage as a place of commerce continues to shape its identity today.
Chippenham Museum
Located in the heart of the town, Chippenham Museum celebrates the town’s rich history and its evolution from a Saxon settlement to a modern centre of business and community life. The museum showcases fascinating collections on local industries, notable figures, and the everyday lives of Chippenham’s residents over the centuries.
Through exhibitions, interactive displays, workshops and guided walks, the museum shines a light on Chippenham’s heritage - from its market town roots to its role in the railway age and beyond. It is also a champion of local culture, regularly hosting creative activities for all ages and supporting the town’s artistic community. Chippenham Museum is not just about preserving history, but about inspiring pride in how the town has grown and continues to thrive.
Chippenham industries
Chippenham’s economy has transformed over time. Once known for its markets, malting, brewing, and cloth production, the town has grown into a hub for diverse modern industries. Today it is home to leading global companies and national employers such as Siemens whose HQ is under construction, Alliance Pharma and the Furnisher Box at Junction 17 alongside a vibrant community of SMEs and independents.T business areas such as
Modern business parks such as Greenaway and Methuen Parks, Bumpers Farm, Hathaway Retail Park, and Indurent and St Modwen Parks adjacent to the M4, accommodate industries ranging from logistics and pharmaceuticals to technology, engineering, and design; providing space for growth and investment,
This blend of large-scale corporations and entrepreneurial ventures makes Chippenham one of Wiltshire’s strongest centres for employment, innovation and inward investment, while still retaining its proud heritage as a place of trade and opportunity.
Shops & Services
Services
Chippenham Community Hub – a flexible community venue offering meeting and space in the heart of Chippenham and the centre of community activity facilitating a variety of groups to prevent social isolation alongside Community Corner learning; Chippenham Chamber and Town Team
Chippenham Borough Lands Charity - Improving the welfare and wellbeing of the community through grants, guidance, and great places
Work Spaces
31co.work – a flexible community venue offering meeting and working space in the heart of Chippenham.
Wiltshire College & University Centre – providing conference, training and meeting facilities to hire.
Business parks & hubs – Bumpers Farm, Methuen Park and Greenways Business Park all offer modern office and industrial units, with facilities to support start-ups, growing SMEs and national employers.
Cafés & Other Venues – Chippenham is home to independent cafés and national coffee shops, many with free Wi-Fi, making them popular work and meeting spots.
Shopping Centres
Borough Parade – featuring national high street names including Waitrose, alongside independent traders.
Emery Gate – a busy shopping centre with a wide mix of retailers, services and cafés.
Chippenham Quarters – home to independent boutiques, quirky gift shops and everyday essentials.
Bath Road & Hathaway Retail Park – larger format stores, food outlets and household brands.
Business Parks
Chippenham has a strong network of business parks supporting major employers and innovative SMEs:
Methuen Park – home to Siemens, Wincanton and other global businesses.
Bumpers Farm – a hub for manufacturing, engineering and creative industries.
Greenways Business Park – modern office facilities set in landscaped grounds.
Hathaway Retail Park – offering national retailers and leisure outlets.
Art & culture
Art Centres
Our Green spaces include Chippenham Town Park, the Biss Meadows Country Park, which follows the Biss river with ponds and nature walks and Southwick Country Park & Hope Nature Centre.
The Civic society
The Civic Society aims to preserve what is good from the past, encourage high standards of design in new buildings, enhance the image of the area and increase amenities within Chippenham and its adjacent villages. For regular events, newsletters & membership from just £7 a year, click here.
located next to the historic Town Hall, the Neeld is a cultural hub for Chippenham with a theatre space, exhibition areas, café, live music, comedy and family events throughout the year.
as well as chronicling the town’s history, the museum hosts art exhibitions, creative workshops and community displays supporting local artists and makers.
offers facilities for ancestry work alongside a conservation and museum advisory service, archives and local studies, learning and archeology
one of Chippenham’s oldest and most iconic buildings, often used for exhibitions and cultural events in the heart of the town.
a grassroots venue supporting live music, performance and community creativity.
Creative Spaces & Activities
Community Arts & Crafts Workshops – run by local groups and artists, Chippenham offers a variety of creative sessions for all ages, from painting and textiles to ceramics and photography.
Festivals & Cultural Events – Chippenham Folk Festival and the Riverbank Arts events celebrate the town’s vibrant creative spirit, attracting visitors and artists from across the region.
Heritage Venues
The Buttercross – Chippenham’s most recognisable landmark, standing proudly in the Market Place and a symbol of its heritage as a bustling market town.
St Andrew’s Church – dating back to the 12th century, this striking parish church hosts concerts and community events as well as regular services.
Chippenham Museum – telling the story of Chippenham’s past and present, with collections that highlight the town’s market roots, industrial growth and cultural achievements
Historic Trails & Walks – including riverside routes and heritage town trails linking Chippenham’s medieval streets, historic buildings and green spaces.
Transport, Accommodation & Event Venues
Transport
Chippenham train station sits on the mainline route to London Paddington, with direct services taking just over an hour. There are also frequent trains to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Reading and beyond.
The town enjoys excellent road access via the M4 (Junction 17), the A350 and the A420, linking Chippenham with London, South Wales, the Midlands and the South West. Bristol Airport is within a 45-minute drive.
Event Venues
Neeld Community & Arts Centre – a versatile town centre venue for live music, theatre, exhibitions, conferences and community events
Chippenham Town Hall – an elegant historic building with spaces for weddings, corporate events and civic occasions.
The Cause Music & Arts Centre – an intimate grassroots venue hosting live music, arts and cultural events.
John Coles Park & Monkton Park – large outdoor green spaces regularly used for concerts, fairs and community festivals.
Hotels
Chippenham offers a mix of historic and modern accommodation:
The Angel Hotel – a 17th century coaching inn located in the Market Place, offering rooms, dining and event facilities.
Premier Inn Chippenham – a modern hotel close to the town centre and retail parks.
Local Inns & Guesthouses – traditional Wiltshire hospitality in character-filled settings across the town and surrounding villages.
Education
Chippenham is home to Wiltshire College & University Centre, providing further and higher education for thousands of students. The town also offers a wide range of high-quality nurseries, primary and secondary schools, including several rated “Good” and “Outstanding” by Ofsted, making it an attractive location for families.
Green Spaces & Trails around Chippenham
Chippenham is lucky to be surrounded by a rich tapestry of parks, riverside walks, woodlands and historic trails — perfect for leisurely strolls, weekend adventures or daily fresh-air breaks.
Key Parks & Green Spaces
John Coles Park – often called the jewel in Chippenham’s crown, this central park features mature trees, a circular walk, a bandstand (hosting summer concerts) and children’s splash pad.
Monkton Park – beside the River Avon, this riverside park is a popular spot for walking, picnics and riverside views.
Donkey Fields – a woodland and meadow space with trails, part of the town’s network of green corridors.
Allotments, Open Spaces & Play Areas – dispersed across Chippenham, offering quiet corners, community gardening and children’s play.
Trails, Walks & Scenic Routes
River Avon Loop (Chippenham) – a moderate circular walk following the River Avon and surrounding paths. Komoot
Thatched Cottages via Mons Lane (Lacock loop) – a scenic countryside walk connecting Chippenham to Lacock and villages in between. Komoot
Ford & North Wraxall circular – a quiet rural route passing through small villages and farmlands. walkingbritain.co.uk
Castle Combe & Long Dean – this area offers scenic routes through valleys, rural lanes, and historic woodland. walkingbritain.co.uk
Kennet & Avon Canal walks – stretches of canal towpath near Chippenham connect to longer routes, offering flat waterside walking opportunities. Visit Wiltshire+1
Lacock village & Abbey walks – within a short drive, enjoying the abbey grounds, riverbanks and village streets. Local Walks
Corsham walking routes – around the hills, woods and villages surrounding Corsham, just a few miles away. Local Walks