Visit the Chipping Campden High Street
Chipping Campden High Street 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. It was laid out in this format by Hugh De Gondeville, a close friend of the King Henry II. De Gondeville quickly realised that the town needed a market to improve revenues for the King. So having been granted the Charter by the King ,he set about laying our the street in the burgage style you see today.
The word “Chipping” is derived from the anglo-saxon word “Chepping” meaning “market”. Hence we find Chipping Norton, Chipping Sodbury etc.. This was also the derivation for “Cheapside” the big market in London.
The High Street is located close to the river which lends itself to a natural curve, giving the High Street a romantic feel and clear views of the historic buildings along the street.
The noted Historian G.M. Trevelyan described it as “the most beautiful village street now left on the island”
Nikolaus Pevsner (Buildings of England architectural guide) also described Campden as “the best piece of townscape in Gloucestershire, arguably one of the best in England”
