Chippenham, Wiltshire
It’s nice to have a browse around the local towns when you’re on your large group holiday in the UK, to get to know the area a little and make new discoveries. So if you’re staying in Wiltshire, go and visit Chippenham; despite being one of the larger towns in the county, at times, it has the feels of a smaller market town with a distinctly lively air.
The main part of the town centre is pedestrianised and has a lot of shops – big names and family run independents, so if you like your retail therapy that’s you sorted. On Fridays and Saturdays the High Street is a bustle with the market, with stalls lining both sides.
If you have time, do some exploring when you’re in Chippenham; take your time to wander off the main street, see the historic town houses in St Mary’s Street, The Timber framed Yelde Hall in The Shambles, and take a wander through John Coles Park and Splashpad where there’s a play area, tennis courts, a bowling green, a bandstand and, brilliant for hot summer days when the kids need cooling down – a splashpad. In fact, Chippenham has several green spaces – one of them, in the centre of town, is Monkton Park, nice for a stroll along the River Avon, fishing and for Pitch and Putt Golf.
The other thing is that the town hosts lots of regular events, including walking tours, food fayres, and an annual folk festival that gets very upbeat with all the hurdy-gurdy and Morris dancing in the street. If you come over a bit peckish and a supermarket sandwich just won’t cut it, there are some very good cafes and restaurants to choose from. If you like Mediterranean food go to Athena Greek Restaurant, for pub food go to the Gladstone Arms, and for a scrumptious carvery, it has to be The Pheasant, in a converted mill on the Bath Road.
All information correct at the time of writing