medieval altar frontals (c.1500), cope (c.1400) and vast and
extravagant 17th century monuments to local wealthy silk merchant Sir Baptist
Hicks and his family – the Almshouses and Woolstaplers Hall. The Court Barn
near the church is now a museum celebrating the rich Arts and Crafts tradition
of the area (see below). Hicks was also responsible for Campden House, which
was destroyed by fire during the English Civil War possibly to prevent it
falling into the hands of the Parliamentarians. All that now remains of Hicks'
once imposing estate are two gatehouses, two Jacobean banqueting houses,
restored by the Landmark Trust and Lady Juliana's gateway. Hick's descendants
still live at the Court House attached to the site.
There are two famous and historic gardens nearby: at Hidcote Manor Garden,
owned and managed by the National Trust, and at Kiftsgate, in private ownership
but open to the public. Two miles to the west, in the grounds of Weston Park
near Saintbury, are the earthwork remains of a motte and bailey castle.
The town has hosted its own Olimpick Games
since 1612. The Olympic torch passed through Chipping Campden on 1 July 2012
