A Chipping Campden Christmas is a very special time and Chipping Campden is a wonderful place to prepare for and/or stay during December, Christmas and the New Year. You will find a whole range of pleasant surprises which could even start with the strange sight of snow-covered sprouts as you drop down Conduit Hill into the town.
There are also lots of other events going on in the local Cotswolds area too as well as Stratford Upon Avon too.
Christmas Markets and Shopping
3rd to 4th December – Chipping Campden
You cannot find a much better way to start preparing for the Festive Season than going to the Chipping Campden Christmas Market to be held in The Square and High Street when the road is closed for a myriad of about 50 stalls to present their wares from midday on Saturday 3rd December.
Father Christmas will be in attendance and there will musical entertainment from 15.00 prior to the lights on the Christmas tree being turned on at dusk (16.30). The entertainment will continue well into the evening with many of the High Street shops also staying open late to welcome you.
Campden Market will also be holding its Christmas Fair in the Town Hall from 10.00 on both Saturday and Sunday with almost another 20 craft stalls.
Whatever your need, you will find what you want and you can take your time and really enjoy the experience of the Christmas Market or just search the open shops for that very special item.
Tuesday 6th December 5pm–8pm – Winchcombe
Winchcombe’s bustling Christmas Festival with a lot of catching up to do. There will be over 50 market stalls selling festive gifts and food, with mince pies and punch; plus, shops around the town will stay open late
There will be over 70 real Christmas trees lining the streets and there will be entertainment from carollers, morris dancers and entertainers.
Do not forget to visit to the Spectacle of Light at nearby Sudeley Castle, where the castle grounds are illuminated with colourfully lit trees, sparkling water features, lanterns and light beams.
8th to 11th December – Stratford upon Avon
The Victorian Christmas Market is back with a themed event and in excess of 300 stalls, with stall holders dressed in Victorian costumes. To soak up the festive spirit, this is the place to be for that unique Christmas gift.
There will be entertainment for everyone during the festival. A stage will be set up in Rother Street, where there will be live music and dance performances. There will also be a traditional fun fair, including a carrousel located at the foot of Wood Street and on Rother Street Market Area.
The Christmas market will be on Waterside, Bridge Street, Henley Street, High Street and Meer Street, with stalls which will include street food and drink-related produce being positioned on Wood Street.
8th to 24th December – Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s annual Christmas market also returns with 80 stalls along the Promenade and Long Gardens. You will find a range of Christmas gifts and decorations for sale as well as a food section where you can pick up a warming hot chocolate or a mug of mulled wine or cider, and fill up on foodie treats.
In addition to the main market, there’s also a Pop Up Christmas Market on 2–4 December focusing on independent traders who’ll be selling food and drink crafts and gifts. There are also artisan markets featuring local creatives at Pittville Pump Room on 3, 4, 21 and 22 December.
You can also get into the Christmas spirit in Cheltenham with a trip to the panto at the Everyman Theatre – this year’s show is Dick Whittington and His Cat Tweedy. Kids can follow the Nutcracker Christmas Trail through the town, and there’s also a Christmas Wine Festival.
To 18th December – Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace will always get the prize for the Cotswold Christmas market with the grandest backdrop.
You will find 70–80 wooden chalets filling the palace’s Great Court, with local designers and makers selling homewares, jewellery, leather goods, textile and ceramics, as well as delicious food and drink.
The market is part of the Christmas at Blenheim event, which also includes an illuminated light trail through the palace grounds, Christmas afternoon teas in the Orangery, and interiors transformed into the Kingdom of the Snow Queen by frosty trees and shimmering crystals.
The market is free to visit, but if you’re arriving by car you need to book and pay for parking via their website.
Christmas Carols in Chipping Campden:
Sunday 18th December from 19.00 – Joint Ecumenical Carol Service
Following on from last year’s “Follow the Song” together in the centre of town, the Baptists are joining with their friends from St James Church in the Town Square for Campden Carols.
They will also be holding a Christmas Day Service in the High Street Building (10:30am).
Special Family Events:
1st December to 1st January – Batsford Arboretum
The Big Batsford Elf Hunt
The naughty elves have gone missing in the Arboretum, find them to win a prize! The elf hunt costs £3 per participating child, plus standard admission fees. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book; just turn up and enjoy!
Children’s Christmas Trail
The perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy, take a stroll around Batsford Arboretum and find the Christmassy characters to win a prize for your children to take home!
From Saturday 3rd December – Batsford Arboretum
Come and visit Santa’s Grotto on Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th, Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th. 30-minute slots will be available between 10am-4pm and must be booked in advance – please call Batsford on 01386 701441 to book your slot. Children will visit Santa in small groups of up to 6. Visits to Santa cost £10 per child; each child will receive a gift.
The Terrace Café is a great place to catch up with friends or family; open daily from 9.30am to 5pm (last orders at 4pm). The lovely terrace overlooking the Plant Centre and the Evenlode Valley beyond – is a great place to soak up the sun and admire the views!
Breakfast is served from 9.30am until 11.00am with hot lunches available from 12pm to 2.30pm. Light snacks and a huge range of cakes are available throughout the day. Everything is freshly baked on the premises each day using locally-sourced produce wherever possible.
Sunday 4th, 11th & 18th December Batsford Arboretum
Join them for a delicious turkey roast dinner 12- 2.30pm and then walk off the excess! if you’d like to book a table, please email or call 07873 872038.
27th November to 31st December – Cotswold Farm Park
Create magical memories with the whole family at the Enchanted Cotswold Farm Park this Christmas. Feed the animals in their stables, enjoy a toasted marshmallow and hot chocolate by the fire and marvel at the illuminations in the Enchanted Forest. Enchanted Light Trail
Walking
Saturday 3rd December 2022 – Cotswold Wardens Guided Walks
Starting at 10:00 am from outside Blockley Café. GL56 9BB. Please park considerately around the village.
Blockley to Broad Campden Circular walk. Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 4 hours Distance: 8.5 miles. Starts with a brief tour through the village of Blockley learning some of its histories as a thriving industrialised silk village in the 19th Century. No Booking Required
Saturday 10th December 2022 – Cotswold Wardens Guided Walks
Starting at 10:00 am from the triangular green outside Ebrington Arms pub. Please do not park in the pub car park but instead park in the village public Car Park, May Lane Ebrington, GL55 6NJ
An exploration around Ebrington and Foxcote. Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 2 hours Distance: 4 miles. A delightful circuit through woodland and over field paths from a small village to a large country house. No Booking Required.
When you Want or Feel Like It
Here you have put together a selection of our favourite Chipping Campden walks that you can take with you whilst exploring the Chipping Campden countryside. Some of these are walks around Chipping Campden whereas others are walks near Chipping Campden. We have also included a Chipping Campden short walk for those that wish for a leisurely stroll that’s not too far.
1 Enjoy these Walks Around Chipping Campden
1.1 Circular Chipping Campden Walk to Dover’s Hill Using the Cotswold Way 3.5 – 4.5 miles
1.2 Circular Chipping Campden Walk Using the Monarchs Way and the Heart of England Way 2.5 – 3.0 miles
1.3 Circular Chipping Campden Walk to Broadway Tower and Broadway using Cotswold Way 9 – 10 miles
1.4 Town Walk
