Chippenham

Chippenham Museum

Chippenham Museum is a free museum located in the heart of Chippenham, Wiltshire, England. Housed in an elegant 18th-century townhouse, the museum tells the fascinating story of this historic market town from its prehistoric origins to the present day. The museum's permanent collection includes exhibits on local archaeology, history, industry, and art. Visitors can learn about Chippenham's important role in British history, from its connections to Alfred the Great and Isambard Kingdom Brunel to its development as a major center for cloth production in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, as well as a programme of events and activities for all ages. These include talks, workshops, family activities, and craft demonstrations.

Address: Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3HF

Telephone: 01249446699

Email: Send email

Website: Chippenham Museum

Admission times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm

Admission charge: Free

Accessibility: Chippenham Museum’s level entrance is located to the left of the entrance with steps. There is a silver button to the right of the level entrance which can be pressed to alert the museum team to promptly open the door. The museum’s two floors of galleries, shop and education room have level access throughout with a lift and accessible WC.

Toilets: Yes

Yelde Hall

Witness to centuries, the Yelde Hall, crowned with its magnificent timber roof, has worn many hats since its 15th-century birth (or perhaps even earlier). From guildhall to council chamber, armoury to fire station, even jail and bank, it's seen Chippenham evolve. Now, under the museum's banner, it whispers stories of history in the council chamber and throws you back to 1709 pirates in the lock-up.

Address: Yelde Hall, The Shambles, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3HL

Admission times: Saturday 10.30am – 1pm (Easter to September)

Admission charge: Free

Lanhill Long Barrow

Rising from the Wiltshire Downs, Lanhill Long Barrow, also known as Hubba's Low, stretches for over 50 metres, its earthen form reaching nearly 4 metres high. This monument's grandeur transcends mere engineering; it stands as a deliberate act of landscape modification, a silent testament to the ingenuity and beliefs of its Neolithic builders. The barrow's carefully chosen orientation aligns with the summer solstice sunrise, hinting at a deep connection to celestial movements and their impact on seasonal cycles. Hidden within its imposing form, archaeologists have unearthed two chambers, one nestled in the southern flank and the other, now lost, in the north. These shrouded spaces, accessible only through narrow, humbling crawlways, were likely sanctuaries for potent rituals.

Location: Lanhill Long Barrow, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6NB

Directions from central Chippenham: Lanhill Long Barrow is just 2.7 miles (6 minutes drive) from central Chippenham. At Bumpers Farm Roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Bristol Road/A420 for 1.6 miles. Lanhill Long Barrow is on the left situated behind a hedgerow.

Chippenham Friday & Saturday Market

Chippenham awakens each Friday and Saturday to the vibrant hum of its bustling market. With a history stretching back to 1205, granted by King John himself, this market is more than just a place to shop–it's a tapestry woven with the threads of community, tradition, and the freshest local produce.

Location: High Street in the town centre

Telephone (Customer Services): 01249 446699

Email: Send email

Website: Chippenham Friday & Saturday Market

Market trading times: 8:30am – 4pm Friday and Saturday

Directions from A4 (Avebury): Chippenham is 14.4miles from Avebury. Once you leave Avebury, follow the A4 and signs to Chippenham all the way to your destination.