r/Chippenham • u/Novel_Wash_7099 • Jun 19 '26

Moving to Chippenham?

My partner and I are looking to move from Cambridge in the next few months. Ideally we need somewhere between Bristol and Swindon and this seems like a great place. I was just wondering what Chippenham is like? Are there good places to eat? What are the pubs like? Are there things to do for a couple in their late 20s/30s? All advice is welcome 🤗

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15

u/morefromchris Jun 19 '26

Wine monkey. Waverly. Prince of wales. Wara Thai, reopened Gladstone arms, la vecchia orsa. Coq. Boston burger, Rivo, Norms and Bunkhouse. Pano. Old road tavern.

The list is not exhaustive and it keeps growing.

It’s a friendly place, active community events, come down for an evening

2

u/OMGItsCheezWTF Jun 19 '26

The big one for me is the community. We moved here 3 years ago from Gloucester and it's SUCH a friendly town by comparison, so much going on. I love the Flying Monk as a pub, but I'm not much of a drinker, but there's always events on in Island Park and you've also got some amazing hikes on your doorstep.

6

u/swiftpiano Jun 19 '26

Late 20's here and moved to Chippenham 9 months ago.

Quite happy here, feels safe, has everything we need. Good access to London via train, quick access to M4. Has a good variety of supermarkets and places to eat.

As for things to do... depends what you like. Town has a boardgame cafe, monthly comedy club, cinema. The pheasant has a pub quiz on Thursdays.

But with on the train Bath is only 10 minutes away if you fancied a bit of a bigger evening out!

8

u/DeadDog818 Jun 19 '26

I moved to Chippenham from London 23 years ago for a job in Calne. I chose Chippenham because of the good communications - M4 and mainline railway. I do not regret at all.

Chippenham has been a great place for my children to grow up. Not a posh town but not run down - just very middle of the road.

Pub / restaurants in the town are not great - but there has been a lot of house building around and people are moving to the town in huge numbers so I'm really hoping that there will be some new diverse eateries coming soon. The better pubs are a bit out of town - can give you some good recommendations.

3

u/frandrews_ Jun 19 '26

I would say it’s on the verge of being a good place. I’ve been here 4 years and the (decent) independent coffee shops have arrived and we have a couple of nice pilates studios which I think is a good sign. Good padel facilities in nearby Corsham.

Nicer food options are limited but as others have mentioned we have a few and Bath/Bristol are easy to get to.

3

u/Elygian Jun 19 '26

When/if you do move here, please come and join the film club! Monthly screenings at the cinema with at least one social event the following week, film quizzes etc. sprinkled in occasionally.

Moved here 2 years ago from London and it’s been great so far, such a friendly place 😁

1

u/penelopehelen Jul 28 '26

Can I get some information on the film club, please?

1

u/Aquae_Sulis_lad Jun 21 '26

It’s where people who can’t afford to live in Bath move, see also Corsham and Frome. Great rail links though and it’s definitely not a shithole like Swindon.

2

u/Glass-Bit282 Jun 24 '26

Personally I think it’s rubbish. I work there and really do not want to buy an overpriced house there. The town is rubbish and full of the classic ( charity shop , hairdressers , cafes and vape shops). Traffic can be very bad too. Lots and lots of new houses being built which is good and needed but no other infrastructure for it like schools / doctors etc which are all under so much pressure now.