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.