Chippenham is a market town in Wiltshire, England, located at grid reference ST919733, some 21 km (13 miles) east of Bath and 163 km (96 miles) west of London. In the 2001 census the population of the town was recorded as 28,065. The town was established on a crossing of the River Avon and is believed to have existed as some form of settlement since before Roman times. For a time Alfred the Great had a hunting lodge there. The town continued to grow when the Great Western Railway arrived in 1841, and while historically a market town the economy has changed to that of a commuter town. Cultural festivals such as the Chippenham Folk Festival are hosted by the Chippenham Folk Festival Association & Organised by the Festival Team who are all volunteers. Chippenham is twinned with La Fleche in France and Friedberg in Germany. The town motto is "Unity and Loyalty"
Chippenham's major retail area surrounds the pedestrianised High Street and Market Place, which consists of numerous shops of various categories. Two shopping centres lie on either side of the High Street; the enclosed Emery Gate Shopping Centre and the open air Borough Parade Shopping Centre of all the shops in the High Street and nearby alleys there are very few independent stores as franchises dominate, however some independent stores (Jewellers, Florists, Bridal Gowns, China & Glass) are located along The Causeway, New Road, Station Hill and the Upper Market Place. Retails parks, such as the Hathaway Retail Park, are located on the edge of town containing larger superstores and fast-food outlets. More on Chippenham

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