Local Sponsors
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Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
8 North Court, The Courtyard Woodlands, Bradley Stoke, Bristol. BS32 4NQ.
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a community-led organisation which aims to deliver education, land and river management advice and practical river restoration work in the Bristol Avon catchment. Through promoting an ecosystem-based approach, they aim to reconnect communities to their rivers and help river users and lovers better appreciate and improve their local rivers and streams.The Bristol Avon Rivers Trust exists to help you protect and improve your river in many ways, including: Improving riverside and in-channel habitat to increase diversity and numbers of fish, flora and wildlife Improving riverside and in-channel habitat to increase diversity and numbers of fish, flora and wildlife Bringing people together who have a common interest in a healthy functioning river system Identifying funding sources and matching them to known local needs Collaborating in or managing river based improvement projects Providing education about the ecosystem approach to protecting and improving our rivers.
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Chippenham, situated in north-west Wiltshire, England, is a notable market town. It is positioned approximately 13 miles north-east of Bath and 86 miles west of London, in close proximity to the picturesque Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town's origins trace back to a crossing point on the River Avon, where evidence suggests the existence of a settlement predating the Roman era. Chippenham has a historical association with royalty, notably serving as a royal vill and potentially a hunting lodge during the reign of Alfred the Great. Its development gained momentum with the introduction of the Great Western Railway in 1841. As of 2021, the town's population stood at 36,548. The name "Chippenham" has varied spellings throughout history, including Cippanhamme (878), Cepen (1042), Cheppeham (1155), Chippenham (1227), Shippenham (1319), and Chippyngham (1541). John Speed's map of Wiltshire from 1611 depicted both "Chippenham" and "Chipnam" spellings.
Archaeological evidence suggests that settlements existed in the Chippenham region prior to Roman times, with remnants of Romano-British settlements visible near the former magistrates' court. Ongoing town redevelopment projects have unearthed further indications of early habitation. The Anglo-Saxon period saw the town's establishment, believed to have occurred around AD 600, excluding the Roman villages now within its boundaries. In AD 853, Æthelswith, sister to Alfred the Great, married King Burgred of Mercia in Chippenham. According to Bishop Asser's Life of King Alfred, Chippenham held the status of a royal vill during Alfred's reign, with some historians speculating that it served as a hunting lodge due to its proximity to the royal forests at Melksham and Barden. Notably, Alfred's daughter also tied the knot in Chippenham. In 878, Danish Vikings besieged the town successfully, but Alfred later defeated them decisively at the Battle of Ethandun, leading to their surrender at Chippenham and the establishment of the Danelaw.By 1042, records mention the presence of a church in Chippenham. The Domesday Book of 1086 listed Chippenham as "Chepeham," with a substantial population of 177 households.During the Norman era, the royal properties in Chippenham were divided into the manors of Sheldon, Rowden, and Lowden. The town expanded into Langstret (now the Causeway) from 1245 and into Le Newstret (now the New Road area) from 1406. Chippenham maintained a prosperous market in the town center during this period. The A4 road, running through Chippenham, incorporated sections of the medieval road network that connected London to Bristol. This road played a crucial role in the English cloth trade and received financial support from Bristol cloth merchants.
Chippenham's representation in the Parliament of England began in 1295, and in 1554, Queen Mary granted the town a Charter of Incorporation. The Yelde Hall, believed to have been built around 1450, was constructed using wood subjected to analysis. The Shambles and Buttercross structures were erected after 1570, with the former destroyed in a fire in 1856, while the Yelde Hall survived.The parish of Chippenham Without encompasses the abandoned medieval village of Sheldon, devastated by the plague. The only remaining structure from that era is Sheldon Manor, Wiltshire's oldest inhabited manor house, dating back to 1282.
During the 16th century, Chippenham experienced significant growth in the wool industry, thanks in part to its proximity to the river. The town suffered heavily from the plague outbreaks in 1611 and 1636. Additionally, a recession in the woollen industry and a decline in corn production in 1622 and 1623 caused severe hardship for the local population. Cloth trade faced further challenges during the English Civil War due to a Royalist proclamation prohibiting the sale of cloth to the Parliamentarian-controlled London.
In 1747, a bribery and corruption scandal involving two Members of Parliament for Chippenham led to the downfall of Sir Robert Walpole's government. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Chippenham witnessed notable developments. The Wilts & Berks Canal established a branch to Chippenham in 1798, with a wharf at Timber Street near the marketplace, primarily facilitating coal trade. Today, the former wharf site houses the town's bus station, and part of Pewsham Way follows the canal branch's path. The arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1841 attracted numerous new businesses, necessitating the construction of additional housing and leading to the town's expansion north of the railwayline. Chippenham became an important railway hub, with a locomotive depot and railway works established in the town. The railway brought economic growth and employment opportunities to the area.
During World War II, Chippenham played a significant role as a base for military operations. The town was home to an army camp and an airfield used by the Royal Air Force. The airfield, known as RAF Chippenham, was primarily used for training purposes. In the post-war period, Chippenham experienced further expansion and development. New residential areas were built to accommodate the growing population, and the town's infrastructure improved. The construction of the M4 motorway in the 1970s provided better transportation links, connecting Chippenham to London and other major cities.Today, Chippenham is a thriving market town with a mix of historic buildings and modern amenities. The town center features a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes, along with a weekly market. The River Avon, which runs through the town, adds to its charm. Chippenham is also known for its local festivals and events, including the Chippenham Folk Festival and the Chippenham Beer and Cider Festival.The town has a strong sense of community, with various clubs, societies, and sports teams offering opportunities for residents to get involved. Chippenham is home to several schools, both primary and secondary, and has good transportation links, making it a popular residential area for commuters working in Bath, Bristol, and Swindon.This camera was installed and is maintained by the Environment Agency and can be viewed here. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Archaeological evidence suggests that settlements existed in the Chippenham region prior to Roman times, with remnants of Romano-British settlements visible near the former magistrates' court. Ongoing town redevelopment projects have unearthed further indications of early habitation. The Anglo-Saxon period saw the town's establishment, believed to have occurred around AD 600, excluding the Roman villages now within its boundaries. In AD 853, Æthelswith, sister to Alfred the Great, married King Burgred of Mercia in Chippenham. According to Bishop Asser's Life of King Alfred, Chippenham held the status of a royal vill during Alfred's reign, with some historians speculating that it served as a hunting lodge due to its proximity to the royal forests at Melksham and Barden. Notably, Alfred's daughter also tied the knot in Chippenham. In 878, Danish Vikings besieged the town successfully, but Alfred later defeated them decisively at the Battle of Ethandun, leading to their surrender at Chippenham and the establishment of the Danelaw.By 1042, records mention the presence of a church in Chippenham. The Domesday Book of 1086 listed Chippenham as "Chepeham," with a substantial population of 177 households.During the Norman era, the royal properties in Chippenham were divided into the manors of Sheldon, Rowden, and Lowden. The town expanded into Langstret (now the Causeway) from 1245 and into Le Newstret (now the New Road area) from 1406. Chippenham maintained a prosperous market in the town center during this period. The A4 road, running through Chippenham, incorporated sections of the medieval road network that connected London to Bristol. This road played a crucial role in the English cloth trade and received financial support from Bristol cloth merchants.
Chippenham's representation in the Parliament of England began in 1295, and in 1554, Queen Mary granted the town a Charter of Incorporation. The Yelde Hall, believed to have been built around 1450, was constructed using wood subjected to analysis. The Shambles and Buttercross structures were erected after 1570, with the former destroyed in a fire in 1856, while the Yelde Hall survived.The parish of Chippenham Without encompasses the abandoned medieval village of Sheldon, devastated by the plague. The only remaining structure from that era is Sheldon Manor, Wiltshire's oldest inhabited manor house, dating back to 1282.
During the 16th century, Chippenham experienced significant growth in the wool industry, thanks in part to its proximity to the river. The town suffered heavily from the plague outbreaks in 1611 and 1636. Additionally, a recession in the woollen industry and a decline in corn production in 1622 and 1623 caused severe hardship for the local population. Cloth trade faced further challenges during the English Civil War due to a Royalist proclamation prohibiting the sale of cloth to the Parliamentarian-controlled London.
In 1747, a bribery and corruption scandal involving two Members of Parliament for Chippenham led to the downfall of Sir Robert Walpole's government. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Chippenham witnessed notable developments. The Wilts & Berks Canal established a branch to Chippenham in 1798, with a wharf at Timber Street near the marketplace, primarily facilitating coal trade. Today, the former wharf site houses the town's bus station, and part of Pewsham Way follows the canal branch's path. The arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1841 attracted numerous new businesses, necessitating the construction of additional housing and leading to the town's expansion north of the railwayline. Chippenham became an important railway hub, with a locomotive depot and railway works established in the town. The railway brought economic growth and employment opportunities to the area.
During World War II, Chippenham played a significant role as a base for military operations. The town was home to an army camp and an airfield used by the Royal Air Force. The airfield, known as RAF Chippenham, was primarily used for training purposes. In the post-war period, Chippenham experienced further expansion and development. New residential areas were built to accommodate the growing population, and the town's infrastructure improved. The construction of the M4 motorway in the 1970s provided better transportation links, connecting Chippenham to London and other major cities.Today, Chippenham is a thriving market town with a mix of historic buildings and modern amenities. The town center features a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes, along with a weekly market. The River Avon, which runs through the town, adds to its charm. Chippenham is also known for its local festivals and events, including the Chippenham Folk Festival and the Chippenham Beer and Cider Festival.The town has a strong sense of community, with various clubs, societies, and sports teams offering opportunities for residents to get involved. Chippenham is home to several schools, both primary and secondary, and has good transportation links, making it a popular residential area for commuters working in Bath, Bristol, and Swindon.This camera was installed and is maintained by the Environment Agency and can be viewed here. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.