Chippenham is an historic market town conveniently positioned between Bath and the Cotswolds (it is just ten minutes from Bath by train, and just over an hour from London). It is still a lively town, with market days on Friday and Saturday, and several National Trust properties close by, but Chippenham is probably most useful as a base for exploring the number of wonderfully charming stone-built villages in the area. Castle Combe, Lacock and Biddestone are probably the best known, having featured in many films and TV shows, including Harry Potter, War Horse, Pride and Prejudice, and Poirot. None of our pick of the best places to stay in Chippenham are within the market town itself, they are just outside, or in one of those famous, historic villages. Our list includes a couple of fancy country house hotels outside town — perfect for a countryside treat, or escape — but it also includes a few pubs-with-rooms, and a charming farmhouse turned B&B.

If you’re bringing your kids along too, Longleat will be on the "to-do" list and some of the local Harry Potter sites, but you may also want to consider Bird’s Marsh, a wonderful woodland just to the north of town, which is home to a variety of wildlife that goes far beyond birds. Bowood House, Corsham Court and Sheldon Manor are also worth popping in to. 

The Best Places to Stay in Chippenham

For a pub with rooms

• The White Hart Ford is a charming 16th century coaching inn just outside Chippenham. Eleven comfortable rooms are decorated in a traditional yet contemporary style with plenty of country chic on show. The restaurant serves pub classics and there's a garden for warmer days.

For a Country House Hotel

• The Manor House ticks all the country house hotel boxes! It's an extremely elegant 48 room hotel, complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a superb golf course, and access to a fly-fishing stream. Expect landscaped gardens with hedges, lawns, fountains and statuary; stained glass, grand fireplaces and beamed ceilings; an appropriate collection of antiques; Ferraris in the carpark; and waiting staff in tail suits. Stay in the main house for total grandeur, or in one of the mews cottages along the old village street for homely charm.
• Lucknam Park is a classic country house hotel, with all the traditional bells and whistle, plus an equestrian centre, and a fabulous spa. The painstakingly kept gardens set the tone, and the house’s rather grand facade only adds to it. The 42 rooms and suites are traditionally decorated, with some four-posters among them, and an excellent array of antiques. The restaurant has a Michelin star, and other facilities include clay pigeon shooting, tennis, archery, croquet, and falconry. Bring your kids too!

For Historic Charm

• The Castle Inn Hotel is right in the heart of pretty Castle Combe, an historica building dating from the 12th century. Accommodation consists of 11 rooms and suites, traditionally decorated with dark wood and pale linens. If you’re tall, we recommend you opt for one of the four-poster rooms, where the ceiling beams are higher. Downstairs in the bar and restaurant you can enjoy beautifully presented classic British dishes, and in the warmer months they open the terrace for drinks and cream teas.

For a Countryside Escape

• Fosse Farmhouse is a charming old country house with two B&B rooms and three self-catering cottages dotted around the surrounding farmland. One of the pleasures of staying here is the green and pleasant views, another is the cooking and baking skills of the host. Caron not only does an impressive English breakfast, she also bakes scones worthy of cookery shows, and the jams to accompany them. Each of the rooms and cottages is decorated with a treasure trove of English and French antiques and vintage finds. A great choice that works for both couples and families.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Chippenham’s closest airport is Bristol Airport, which is about 45 minutes away by car or taxi. London’s airports are next closest, with Heathrow a pleasant hour and half drive through the North Wessex Downs, or between an hour and a half and two hours by public transport via Paddington. If you’re coming via London, the train leaves from Paddington and takes an hour and seven minutes.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Chippenham’s position, between Bath and the Cotswolds, makes this an excellent year round destination. Yes, some months will have more sunshine and warmer temperatures, and be better suited to walkers, or cyclists, but there are plenty of indoor activities on offer here too, and there are good discounts to be had if you book outside the busiest spring and summer periods. The food festival in March, and the folk festival in May are also busy times to visit Chippenham.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in Wiltshire
• Consider Chippenham’s neighbours — check out the best places to stay in the Cotswolds, Bath or Cirencester
• Refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning and consider our Gurus’ recommendations for the best pubs-with-rooms in Wiltshire, the best pubs-with-rooms in the Cotswolds, Wiltshire's most romantic hotels or even the best country house hotels in the Cotswolds
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.