Books and Booklets

To order a publication go to our on-line ordering page. If you wish to pay by cheque and send your order by post, please scroll to the bottom of this page and download the Order Form.

New for 2024: The Life and Times of Chipping Campden Town Hall
New research, including dendrochronology and an architectural survey, has revealed much that is new and exciting about Campden Town Hall – this new book brings to light both the history of the building itself, and the people using it and even living there! Price £10 including postage and packing £13.00 (UK); £16.50 (Europe); £20.00 (worldwide).

The Howse which was so Faire

The Howse which was so Faire: Discovering Campden House and Gardens

Old Campden House, built by Sir Baptist Hicks, Viscount Campden, in c. 1615, was burnt down in the English Civil War in 1645 and only a small fragment of the house remains.

CCHS turned detective to recreate this magnificent house, its formal gardens, lavish interiors and its impact on the town of Chipping Campden. Much was also discovered about Baptist Hicks, his family connections, his relationship with his fellow merchants and the Court and the extent of his business dealings. A combination of archival research, local knowledge and archaeological investigation of the site, including a geophysical survey, brought to life the ‘great burnt howse’ which has been lost for 400 years.

£10.00; including postage and packing £13.00 (UK); £16.50 (Europe); £20.00 (worldwide)

Bringing local history to life

CCHS publishes a series of booklets describing different aspects of Campden history which visitors to Campden will find particularly interesting.

Chipping Campden’s Treasures – Family Trail

Follow the trail round Campden to find architectural and historical treasures, such as sundials, boot scrapers and door knockers and bells and more…!

£2.00; including postage and packing £3.00 (UK); £4.65 (Europe); £4.75 (worldwide)

The Story of Chipping Campden High Street

The story of the development of Campden High Street from the Romans to the 20th century, with descriptions of some key buildings.

£2.00; including p&p (UK) £3.00; (Europe) £4.65(rest of the World) £4.75

Campden Customs

A description of some of the customs peculiar to Campden, such as Robert Dover’s “Cotswold Olimpick Games” and Scuttlebrook Wake, Maypole and Morris dancing.

£2.00; including p&p (UK) £3.00; (Europe) £4.65 (rest of the World) £4.75

Campden House and the Almshouses

Campden House and the Almshouses were built in the early years of the seventeenth century by Sir Baptist Hicks, a rich and well-connected London mercer. The house was burned down during the Civil War, but the Almshouses are still occupied by elderly Campden residents.

£2.00; including p&p (UK) £3.00; (Europe) £4.65; (rest of the World) £4.75

The Old Silk Mill

The main claim to fame of the Silk Mill is that it housed C R Ashbee’s Guild of Handicraft in the early twentieth century – and is still the base for several craftspeople, including Hart’s silversmiths. Silk spinning is believed to have begun here in the eighteenth century.

£1.25 including p&p (UK) £2.25; (Europe) £3.75; (rest of the World) £4.00

Cotswold Lions

England’s wealth was founded on wool and cloth, much of it originating in the Cotswolds, with Chipping Campden as an important centre. The “Cotswold Lions” were a particularly shaggy breed of sheep whose wool had a long staple, or thread, which was ideal for making fine cloth.

£1.25 including p&p (UK) £2.25; (Europe) £3.75; (rest of the World) £4.00

Purchase all five booklets for £7.50; including p&p (UK) £1.00; (Europe) £13.00; (rest of the World) £14.50

These booklets can be purchased from the Community History Room, from the Tourist Information Centre (both situated in the Old Police Station) or by post from CCHS, The Old Police Station, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HB

Mr Harrison is Missing

The story of The Campden Wonder – how Mr Harrison went missing – and turned up again. Softback, 36 pages

Jill Wilson

£3.50; including p&p (UK) £6.00; (Europe) £9.00; (rest of the World) £10.50

I marched straight to Cambden

The story of Chipping Campden during the Civil War 1642 – 1651. Softback, 26 pages

Jill Wilson

£3.50; including p&p (UK) £6.00; (Europe) £9.00; (rest of the World) £10.50

Campden: A New History

Fully illustrated with 51 black and white pictures and 10 colour plates. Most of the illustrations, some of which are works by local artists, have not been published previously. Hardback, 350 pages. (hardback)

Edited by Allan Warmington

£18.50; including p&p (UK) £23.00; (Europe) £30.00 (rest of the World) £42.00

Trading Places

Photographs and memories of Campden Shops.

Compiled by Judith Ellis and Jennifer Bruce, with Dorrie Ellis, Gordon Greenall and Walter Wardle.

£3.00; including p&p (UK) £5.50; (Europe) £10.00; (rest of the World) £10.00

A Child in Arcadia: The Chipping Campden Boyhood of H T Osborn

ed. Craig Fees, 1986; 2nd edition 1997

The memories of Harry Osborn, whose family came to Campden in 1902 with C R Ashbee, and the Guild of Handicraft.

£2.00; including p&p (UK) £4.50; (Europe) £10.00; (rest of the World) £10.00

Sir Gerard Noel MP and the Noels of Exton and Chipping Campden

The story of Gerard Noel, the author’s great-great-great-grandfather and namesake. It charts the arrival of the Noel family from France to England around 1100 and outlines the establishment of the first Earls of Gainsborough at Exton and Campden. Hard back with colour dust jacket, 216 pages, including appendices and family trees, with 10 colour and 53 black and white illustrations. (hardback)

£2.00; including p&p (UK) £6.50; (Europe) £14.00; (rest of the World) £22.00

Alec Miller: Guildsman and Sculptor in Chipping Campden

Written by his daughter, this account shows how the intellect and artistic ability of a young Scot could expand under the influence of C R Ashbee.

Jane Wilgress, 1986. Second edition, 1998.