The quaint little town with 1 of UK’s best high streets stuffed full of independent shops | UK | News
UK high streets are devastated with daily reports of department store retailers and shops closing. In the current industry climate, it is rare to find a thriving high street where visitors can browse and find a variety of options to choose from.
However, this gorgeous little town in England not only has an incredible number of independent shops, but also lots of other spots to explore, from museums to gardens, theaters to festivals. There’s never been a better time to visit as it will be holding its annual Christmas market, making for a perfect festive day for everyone.
Chipping Campden is a market town in the Cotswolds region of Gloucestershire, England. The small town is famous for its well-preserved medieval buildings, long main street with structures dating back to the 14th and 17th centuries, and its cultural heritage as a thriving wool trading town.
Unlike neighboring towns and villages in the Cotwolds, Chipping Campden offers a homely feel, allowing visitors to explore the beauty of the area without being disturbed by crowds of people.
One person on Tripadvisor wrote: “Compared to some excellent Cotswold villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden has the feel of a neater, working town. It’s a far cry from wall-to-wall tourism. Instead, it feels as if locals still live and work here, so it has a different feel.”
“But the High Street still has true Cotswold charm and is lined with honey-coloured buildings and historic houses made of local limestone, as well as many pubs such as The Red Lion and the Noel Arms.”
Shoppers can find almost anything along the main street. Draycott Bookshop is a family-run business with a large collection of second-hand books and collectibles; Lisa Drinkwaters Flowers is the perfect venue for locally grown English country style flowers.
There are also clothing stores, a family-run farm store and plenty of cozy cafes where you can stop and grab a bite to eat.
Another visitor wrote: “Chipping Campden is my favorite town in the Cotswolds. It has a worldly feel with a few high-end tourists, but it’s never been busy or crowded. There are some great places to stay on the high street, including the Noel Arms, which welcomes dogs. In summary Chipping Campden has a quiet feel to it, it’s still a town for locals, it’s perfectly nice, quiet and enough to keep visitors happy.”
In addition to the popular high street, the town has a number of museums that offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Chipping Campden. The Court Barn Museum has been shining a light on local artisans, designers and artists since 1900, displaying “a sparkling display of silver, jewellery, prints, bookbinding, sculpture, furniture, pottery and industrial design”.
But if you’re wondering why you should visit sooner, Chipping Campden will be hosting its annual Christmas market on 6 December and you won’t want to miss this opportunity.
The town’s market is held on the second Saturday and Sunday of the month between March and December. But this month, visitors will have the chance to experience a festive version of the event filled with stalls, crafts, gifts, cakes, clothing and other handmade items. The town’s Christmas tree will also be lit at the event, where Santa Claus will make a special appearance.
