Things to do in Chipping Campden

You’ll be amazed by the beauty of this enchanting Cotswold town. Chipping Campden looks like it’s been taken out of a fairytale with neatly thatched roofs, elegant architecture, and scenic green spaces – all underlined by the classic honey-coloured Cotswold stone. 

You may wonder what this sleepy town has to offer, but we think you might be pleasantly surprised by the number of great things to do in Chipping Campden. From market days to festivals, you can discover a whole host of great Chipping Campden attractions during your visit – and for more holiday inspiration, read through our guide on things to do in the Cotswolds. 

Read on for ideas on what to do in Chipping Campden, or click the button below to get inspired by our cottage collection. 

Chipping Campden cottages

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• Top Cotswold gardens to visit
• Shopping in Chipping Campden
• Chipping Campden’s best walks
• What’s on: Local festivals and events 
• Where to eat in Chipping Campden

Top Cotswold gardens to visit

The Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden

Right in the centre of Chipping Campden, you’ll find this lovely little green space which feels like a secret garden, with high walls and iron gates hiding a treasure-trove of plants. Created to commemorate Ernest Henry Wilson (1876 – 1930), a great plant hunter of the 20th century, The Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden was designed using plants selected from the over 1,200 species that Wilson introduced during his lifetime. If you love gardens, we've put together a guide to a few of our favourite cottages with gardens across the UK. 

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Iconic for being crafted by three generations of women gardeners, a whole lot of love and care has gone into making Kiftsgate Court Gardens a stunning place. From the wild garden to the water garden, you’ll walk through a series of sections all offering something a bit different. A rose border is home to the hardy ‘Kiftsgate’ rose while the White Sunk Garden is a particularly lovely spot to visit. 

Hidcote Manor Garden

Hidcote Manor Garden is an Arts and Crafts-style garden created by platsman and designer, Major John Lawrence. A central axis runs from north to south and east to west, forming corridors off which you can find a series of garden ‘rooms’ demonstrating different styles of planting. It covers an area of 10.5 acres and has a shop, a cafe, a chapel, and of course a plant centre. 

Shopping in Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden High Street 

This town is actually known for its beautiful, wide, terraced high street that was built by wealthy merchants between the 14th and 15th centuries, and contains many stunning Cotswold buildings and independent retailers. Take in elegant architecture and stop by bakeries and cafes, clothing boutiques and charming gift shops too. 

Chipping Campden Market 

This Campden Market is a Chipping Campden attraction drawing regular, wonderful stallholders selling a whole range of handmade gifts and goods – with sugary baked goodies, artful crafts and prints, elegant homeware, and locally grown fruit and veg too. 

Chipping Campden’s best walks

Cotswold Way and Dover’s Hill 

If you’re wondering what to do in Chipping Campden, this wonderful Cotswold walk is a perfect way to orientate yourself at the beginning of your holiday. It takes in local highlights like the market hall, Lynches Wood and Dover’s Hill, and if you aren’t up for the full 4.5-mile stretch, there’s a shortcut that brings this delightful trail down to 3 miles instead. 

Broadway Circular via the Cotswold Way

If you’re a keen walker and want to test yourself during your holiday, this circular walk from Chipping Campden to Broadway Tower follows part of the same route but goes much further – stretching for a whopping 10 miles. You’ll pass through picturesque fields and woodland, and of course reach the fantastic Broadway Tower, a folly built during the 18th century and home to a museum, a roof platform, a deer park and two cafes – you’ll need a ticket if you want to visit the tower. There are some rougher sections to be aware of that can be particularly tricky during winter when it’s wet and slippery. 

For more ideas on getting out and about in the stunning countryside of Gloucestershire, check out our guide to the best walking routes in the Cotswolds – whether you're looking for short walks or challenging rambles, there's a host of picturesque trails cross-crossing this National Landscape. 

Best walks in the Cotswolds

What’s on: Local festivals and events

Chipping Campden Music Festival 

A classical music festival that boasts a wide range of old masterpieces and contemporary compositions with orchestras, recitals and vocal performances too. The Chipping Campden Music Festival takes place in the beautiful St James Church so you can soak in the enchanting music while in a stunning setting. 

Cotswold Olimpick Games 

One of the best things to do in Chipping Campden, the Cotswold Olimpick Games originally ran from 1612 until they were discontinued in 1852, and were officially restarted by the Scuttlebrook Wake Committee in the 1960s. With a long history, this event is an important and celebrated part of Chipping Campden’s local heritage with events like shin-kicking, tug o’ war, and running races. It’s a wonderful day out and, unusually, no alcohol is allowed or served, making it a fantastically family-friendly event that you and the kids can enjoy together. 

Where to eat in Chipping Campden

Eight Bells

Describing itself as a ‘grown-up gastropub’, you can expect style and a cosy ambience in this fantastic eatery. Established in the 14th century, yet brought up to date to the 21st century, Eight Bells boasts a secret tunnel, an old-school hostelry, and a hearty seasonal menu. Currently, their mouth-watering dishes include a dish of British sirloin steak and chips, chicken and mushroom pie with mash, and Thai green curry. 

Da Luigi Bistro – Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Step inside this contemporary establishment for a range of tasty dishes, all with an Italian twist! Da Luigi Bistro has a whole host of traditional options including wood-fired pizzas, homemade plates of pasta, speciality seafood dishes and hearty meat and potato dishes too. You could also pick out a delicious red from their drinks menu to complement the Italian flavours. 

Map of things to do in Chipping Campden

Plan your days out with our map of things to do in Chipping Campden detailing all the fantastic places we've talked about in this guide. 

Chipping Campden cottages 

After discovering these fantastic Chipping Campden attractions, browse our fantastic collection of beautiful holiday cottages. We have a wide selection for you to peruse with everything from big houses for group getaways and small hidden retreats perfect for peaceful romantic breaks. 

For more holiday inspiration, why not read our guide to the Cotswolds or take a look through our full range of Cotswolds cottages? Or click the button below for our stylish Chipping Campden properties. 

Chipping Campden cottages