Corsham

城市概覽

Chippenham is a market town in the south west of England, midway between the cities of Bath and Swindon. Its population has grown rapidly in the 21st century, and become Wiltshire's third largest town with 40,000 inhabitants. The rapid expansion can be attributed to the development of the South West regional economy, and to the new housing estates developed in Chippenham such as the Cepen Park North and South areas to the west of the town and the earlier Pewsham estate to the east. The town lies in the Avon Vale, the broad valley of the River Avon in the low lying claylands of north west Wiltshire. Chippenham is located at a convenient crossing point of the River Avon, within close proximity of the nearby towns of Corsham, Calne, Melksham and Malmesbury. Higher ground lies to the east of the town at the Marlborough Downs, to the north at the Cotswolds and to the south at Salisbury Plain.

History The origins of Chippenham are believed to be from before Roman times, with remains of settlements from this time claimed to be in the wall behind the former magistrates court in the town today. During Saxon times it emerged as an early settlement around 600 AD. There may also have been a royal forest and hunting lodge here that was used by Alfred the Great. The name Chippenham may have been originated from Cyppa's Hamme, perhaps a Saxon chief called Cyppa, or from the word ce-ap meaning market, and Hamme meaning enclosed by the river or an enclosed water meadow. In its early years this was an area of small family farms, perhaps concentrating on dairy farming and cheese making. The name is also claimed to be recorded as Cippanhamm, Cepen, Cheppeham, Shippenham and Chippyngham. The Domesday Book listed Chippenham as Cepen, with a population of 600-700 people in 1086. The town received a charter of incorporation in May 1554 by Queen Mary.

如何抵達

By road Chippenham town centre is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from Junction 17 of the M4, linking to Swindon, Reading and London to the East and Bristol and South Wales to the West. It lies on the A4 (linking to Bath in the West) and the A350 (linking to Warminster and the South coast).

By railway

1 Chippenham Railway Station, Cocklebury Rd, Chippenham SN15 3QE. On the Great Western mainline from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, served by a half-hourly Intercity service (operated by First Great Western). The main station building (on the South side of the station) contains a staffed ticket office, 3 ticket machines and an independent café (serving food, drinks and newspapers). Car parks on the north and south sides of the station and bicycle parking, a taxi rank and bus stops on the South side. Trains serve both sides of an island platform, accessed by steps from the north or south sides of the station. Step-free access requires assistance from station staff to cross at track level. (updated Jun 2017)

By bus First Group operates the 231/232 route to Bath (via Corsham) and 234 to Frome. Stagecoach operates the 55 to Swindon (via Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett). AD Rains, Andybus, APL Travel, Badgerline, Coachstyle and Faresaver operate services to surrounding towns and villages. Details can be found on Travel Search (Chippenham) and Wiltshire Council. National Express coach services call at Chippenham: Northampton to Bristol (302), Bath to London (403) and Penzance to London (404).

By bicycle National Cycle Route 403. Crosses the North Wessex Downs and Savernake Forest, linking Chippenham to Marlborough and the Kennet & Avon Canal. (updated Jun 2017) National Cycle Route 254. Part of the Wiltshire Cycleway through the South Wiltshire Downs. Passes 3½ miles (5 km) SW of the town (updated Jun 2017) National Cycle Route 4. Runs London to Fishguard, passing 9 miles (14 km) S of the town (updated Jun 2017)

當地交通

The town is small enough to get around on foot.

必看景點

Surrounding the town are many ancient villages, including Lacock, Castle Combe, Langley Burrell, Kington Langley, Derry Hill, Kington St Michael, Colerne, Yatton Keynell and Biddestone. There are also several manor houses and gardens nearby including Bowood Estate, Lacock Abbey, Sheldon Manor and Corsham Court, and the Castle Combe Circuit World Heritage Site of Bath, Stonehenge and Longleat are popular day trips.

1 Corsham Court, Corsham, ☏ +44 1249 712214, [email protected]. The stately home can also be found in the town centre. Standing on a former Saxon Royal Manor, it is based on an Elizabethan manor home from 1582. Since 1745, it has been part of the Methuen estate. The house has an extensive collection of Old Masters, rooms furnished by Robert Adam and Thomas Chippendale, and parks landscaped by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton. The house is open to the public January-November, and is famed locally for its peacocks, which freely wander about the streets. Adult £10, child £5. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock, near Chippenham SN15 2LG (4 miles S of Chippenham), ☏ +44 1249 730459, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HF, ☏ +44 1249 705020, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Free. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Bowood House (Stately Home & Gardens), Calne SN11 0LZ (5½ miles E of Chippenham), ☏ +44 1249 812102, [email protected]. 11AM-6PM, last admission 5PM. House & gardens: adult £12.50, child £9.50, senior £10.50. (updated Jun 2017) 5 The Cause (Venue & Community Arts Centre), 42 The Causeway, Chippenham SN15 3DD, ☏ +44 1249 446893, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 6 Biddestone. Quaint and rather picturesque Cotswold village with dozens of historic houses. It was a filming location of the 2013 film The Christmas Candle and the comedy-drama TV series Agatha Raisin as the main setting of Carsley. A duck pond in the centre of t

體驗活動

Chippenham Folk Festival, The Cause Music and Arts Centre, 42, The Causeway SN15 3DD, ☏ +44 1249 657190, [email protected]. Over 200 events taking place within the town centre. The main ceilidh and concert events take place in the beautiful park alongside the river. The annual festival takes place in late May. (updated Sep 2017) 1 Baydons Wood (OS Grid ref: ST 925 730). 1 ha woodland (parking not easy). (updated Jun 2017) 2 M4 Karting (Indoor Karting), Hangar 88 Hullavington Airfield, Chippenham SN14 6GU (6 miles N of Chippenham), ☏ +44 1666 838234, [email protected]. Daily. From £10/10 min. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Drive-Tech (Driving Experiences), Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham SN14 7BW (4½ miles NW of Chippenham), ☏ +44 1249 783010, [email protected]. Skid pan, 4x4, karting. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Kids Combat Adventures (Laser tag combat), The Croft Startley, Chippenham SN15 5HG (7 miles N of Chippenham), ☏ +44 1249 721196, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Chippenham Town FC, Hardenhuish Park, Bristol Rd, SN14 6LR, ☏ +44 1249 650400. Chippenham Town are a semi-professional foo