Welcome!
Welcome to Chipping Campden History Society
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of Chipping Campden History Society (CCHS) – originally called Campden and District Historical and Archaelogical Society (CADHAS). In that time it has amassed a substantial archive of documents, artefacts, photographs and recorded memories of the town and local villages which CCHS members have used to explore the past. Much of this research into our history can be found on this website and in our publications. We hope you will feel inspired to join us on this journey into our past.
New Publication! The Life and Times of Chipping Campden Town Hall will be launched on the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April from 10.00-4.00 in Campden Town Hall, with a display about the history of the building. Book price £10:00.
The Campden we know today was a “new town” created in the late 12th century on an open site, the original settlements being Broad Campden, Berrington and Westington. The town was granted a market charter – hence the name “Chipping” (from ceaping – market) and grew in importance with the medieval wool trade, from which wealth merchants re-created the magnificent Wool Church, as well as building themselves beautiful houses from the local Cotswold stone. In later centuries many of the medieval cottages received a “make-over” and behind the Georgian facades of some houses lie unseen medieval half-timbered structures.
Browse through the History menu to find out more – about Sir Baptist Hicks and Campden House, about the Silk Mill, the Guild of Handicraft and the many artists and craftspeople who have lived in Campden.
If you have a query, please complete and submit the Enquiry form on this website or email us. We regret that at the moment (April 2024) you are unable to contact us by ‘phone.
