Chippenham is a beautiful market town filled with a rich history. Here, we will look at five Chippenham facts. Read on to find out more. 

Chippenham is a market town in north-west Wiltshire. It lies 13 miles north-east of Bath and it is near to the Cotswolds Area Of Outstanding Beauty. The history of the town dates back to before Roman times as it is believed that there were settlements before the Romans came to the UK. It also has royal connections to Alfred the Great. But, we will get more into all of this as we talk you through some Chippenham facts. 

Within this article, we will delve further into five Chippenham facts so you can learn more about this beautiful market town. 

1. Ancient Origins

Chippenham boasts a rich history stretching back centuries. Evidence suggests that there were settlements in the area as early as before the Roman period, but it rose to prominence in Anglo-Saxon times. 

The origins of the name “Chippenham” can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times. The name ‘Chippenham’ is believed to be derived from Cheaping which, at the time, meant ‘market’ or ‘ham’ which were settlements in the bend of a river. 

2. Royal Connections

The town has strong historical links to the English monarchy and the Kings of Wessex in the era of Alfred the Great. The first record of the town dates from 853, when Ethelwitha, daughter of King Aethelwulf of Wessex was given in marriage to King Burgred of Mercia at the ‘royal estate (villa regia) called Chippenham, and the marriage was conducted in royal style’.

In 877, Chippenham again found itself at the centre of royal events. Alfred the Great, the renowned Anglo-Saxon king, is known to have had a royal estate in Chippenham during the late 9th century. It even served as his winter headquarters for a time, highlighting its strategic significance in that era when the Danes were Mercia, intent on making a permanent settlement in the area. Sadly, the Danes attacked Chippenham around Christmas 877 inflicting a major defeat upon Alfred. 

By May 878, Alfred had regained enough strength to achieve a significant victory at the Battle of Edington. Consequently, the Danish army was forced to retreat from Chippenham to Cirencester.

3. A Thriving Market Town

True to its name, Chippenham has maintained its identity as a vibrant market town throughout its history, receiving its first market charter in 1227. 

Its strategic location on the River Avon and its surrounding agricultural lands contributed to its success as a hub for trade and commerce. The weekly market continues to be a significant feature of the town, offering a diverse range of goods. 

Nowadays, the market can be found on the High Street in the town centre. It operates twice a week, typically on Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm. 

4. Industrial Heritage

In more recent centuries, Chippenham played a notable role in the industrial development of Wiltshire. 

The arrival of the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol at Chippenham in 1841 gave a much-needed stimulus to the local industries of weaving and cheese production. By the late 1840s the railway also attracted new industries ranging from butterchurn manufacturing, Nestles milk products and pork products.

Industries such as engineering, particularly the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company, flourished in the town, attracting a substantial workforce and shaping its modern character.

5. Picturesque Location and Modern Amenities

Situated amongst the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, as you can now see, Chippenham offers a blend of historical charm and contemporary living. With the River Avon meandering  through the town, it is also a picturesque location with scenic landscapes and places to walk and enjoy nature. 

Today, Chippenham is a thriving community with a range of modern amenities, excellent transport links, and a growing cultural scene, making it an attractive place to live and work while still retaining its connection to its deep history and heritage. 

Thinking Of Moving To Chippenham? 

As you can now see, Chippenham is a town filled with a great deal of history that includes connections to English royalty. It is a thriving market town and has been for hundreds of years. Nowadays, it combines all this history and heritage with modern day homes and amenities making it an excellent place to live. 

If you are thinking of moving to Chippenham, our self storage in Chippenham will be a great help. We will be able to provide you with a storage unit that is perfect for your needs, that is safe and secure and comes with a flexible rental contract. 

Self storage is a great help during a house move as it allows you to pack nice and early, to get your new home ready and do any decorating or renovations without worrying about any of your belongings getting damaged or covered in paint, dirt or debris. You will also be able to unpack at your own pace which will help to ease some of the stress which is often part and parcel of moving house. 

5 Chippenham Facts 

Chippenham is a town with a deep history and a large amount of heritage. It has ancient origins dating back to before the Romans arrived in the UK, truly rising to prominence in the Anglo-Saxon era. The Anglo-Saxon era brought about many royal connections, with one of the biggest being with Alfred the Great who is known to have had a royal estate in Chippenham. 

A market town, Chippenham name possibly derives from an old Anglo-Saxon meaning ‘market’. It has been a market town for hundreds of years and, to this day, has local markets each week.

Along with its rich history, royal connection and market town status, Chippenham has a deep industrial heritage which began with the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1841. 

In modern day, Chippenham has held on to all its history whilst developing into a town with modern amenities and homes. 

We hope you have found our five Chippenham facts interesting. If you are moving to the area or are already local and find yourself in need of self storage, we are here to help. Please give us a call on: 01249 736 398 or click here.