Chippenham Our History

by John Chandler

190 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See:

John Chandler, judge of probate, sheriff (1693-1762)
John Chandler (1838-1921)
John Chandler (1951- )
John Chandler (1954- )
John Chandler

Reviews

[Amanda]

Chippenham Library Reading Challenge category: a novel set in Wiltshire or a local history book

A celebration of Chippenham, covering its topography and history.

Chandler's exploration of the Wiltshire market town commences with its origins as Saxon citadel and royal residence of King Alfred the Great. We take a look at Chippenham's former industries, including cloth making, cheesemaking, and the manufacture of ginger beer and condensed milk. We discover its historic retail stores, artefacts of which remain on street facades. Through other chapters we glimpse Chippenham's manor houses and schools. The author provides the etymology of place and street names, and tantalises us with clues as to what might have existed in earlier times.

Well-informed, accessible and fascinating.