Chippenham, Market town in North West Wiltshire, England
Chippenham is a market town in North West Wiltshire, England, through which the River Avon flows. The town centre includes the High Street with its shops and two covered shopping centres, Emery Gate and Borough Parade.
The town began as a Saxon settlement in the 7th century and developed into an important place in Wessex. King Alfred the Great used it as a residence in the 9th century during his reign.
The Chippenham Folk Festival brings traditional music and dance performances to venues across the town during the annual spring bank holiday weekend. Visitors can watch folk musicians and dancers from the region and beyond performing at concerts and workshops.
The railway station sits centrally and offers direct connections to London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads for day trips or onward travel. The M4 motorway runs about 4 miles north of town and provides access to other parts of southern England.
A memorial plaque on Rowden Hill marks the site of the fatal car accident involving American rock musician Eddie Cochran in 1960. The location sits just outside the town centre and attracts fans of early rock music.
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