Holiday Season Trip 9 - Chipping Campden & Broadway

Chipping Campden was the third village, which was actually another market town. When we were very close to the town's High Street, we passed by a series of beautiful thatched houses. Once we parked our car on the High Street, we walked back to the area to see the houses. Each house had a unique look and everyone were very charming!  

The houses without thatched roofs in the area were also attractive. It would be wonderful to live within such a beautiful community. 

Chipping Campden dates back to the 7th century and became an important centre for wool trading in Europe by the 14th century because the versatile wool from hardy-golden white-long-wool sheep known as the Cotswold Lion was in high demand. Many buildings on the long High street have been around since then.

The Market Hall on the High Street was built in 1627. It would be a shelter for traders to sell and buy goods like cheese, butter and poultry, and now is a National Trust's building that tells a story about the hundred years of bustling trading.

The town was quiet on the day. We walked up and down on the honey-colored High Street, browsing a few shops. We stepped into a grocery store but didn't see anything special. Then we popped in to an antique shop. The store keeper was very friendly. We chatted with her for a while and bought a set of silver pepper and salt shakers. The primary purpose of our trip was to get Christmas gift for each other!  

The antique shop lady told us that Broadway was where she likes for Christmas shopping. She also said the Christmas lights were beautiful there. Broadway is a village in the Cotswolds and isn't so far from Chipping Campden. We didn't have any specific plan after the visit to Chipping Campden and it was still before sunset at that time. Let's go to Broadway!

I didn't know much about Broadway. We strolled on the High Street to see what are there. The High Street was wide and organized, which looked slightly "modern" comparing with Chipping Campden or Stow-on-the-Wold. We checked a shop called Broadway Deli and bought some items, including biscotti for Santa.  

It was getting dark and Christmas illuminations became more noticeable. The impulsive visit to Broadway was successful and enjoyable!

During our trip, the weather was very collaborative. The sun hided behind clouds all the time but we didn't have rain! How was it possible in England!? It wasn't so cold either. We were luckily able to explore all the places we visited and to look up at the magnificent honey colored buildings without holding an umbrella. Thank you J for driving the long way! The trip was the best Christmas gift of 2021!