Chipping Campden and its neighboring villages of Broad Campden and Blockley are set on the edge of the Cotswolds. However, it is quite easy to live in or near the Cotswolds and to never have heard of Chipping Campden, let alone to have visited this small Cotswold town.

So why do so many more people visit nearby (and packed-with-tourists) Burford than Chipping Campden, when it comes to weekend breaks in the Cotswolds?

Well, it doesn’t help that people refer to it as Chipping Camden (as in London) rather than Chipping Campden (spelt with a p). It doesn’t help that it’s not an easy place to get to, other than by car. And it doesn’t help that there are many other, more obvious, places to visit in the Cotswolds.

So it’s time to put the record straight.

It’s time to encourage discerning visitors from home and abroad to visit this historic town in north Gloucestershire, to discover for themselves just why Campden, as the locals call it, was once described as the most beautiful village in England.

So, when it comes to weekend breaks in the Cotswolds, let’s see if you are a discerning visitor then?

1) Do you like to visit towns and villages full of the usual high street stores, or do you prefer to buy high quality items from unique local stores? (For example, in Campden you will find jewelers, antique shops, wine merchants, arts and crafts stores and even patisseries.)

2) Do you like quaint English pubs with names like The King’s Arms, or you do prefer supping from venues with coarser names like The Slurping Toad?

3) Do you like to visit interesting art galleries all within easy walking distance from each other?

4) Do you love to learn more about English history and to explore historic houses and gardens?

5) Do you like to go on fabulous little walks (or even arduous long ones like The Cotswold Way)?

6) Are you in interested in odd English festivals like The Olympick Games. (Yes, that is not a spelling mistake.)

7) Do you prefer your English weekends away to be understated, rather than brash and overblown?

Do you prefer to drink a cup of English cream tea sometimes rather than the usual Starbucks Latte?

9) Do you like being so charmed by a place, and the buildings and houses you find there, that you simply have to have your photo taken with them in the background?

Well if you do, you’ll enjoy a weekend visit to Chipping Campden too. Yes, you’ll find all of these (and more) when you come and stay at Chipping Campden.

Lastly, do you know what the expression "quintessentially English" means?

That’s a trick question, actually? That’s because you don’t have to know what "quintessentially English" means, you just have to visit Chipping Campden on a Cotswolds weekend break and you will find out.

By: Steve M Nash

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Steve M Nash is co-developer of Chipping-Campden.net, a comprehensive directory of services and businesses in the Chipping Campden area aimed at both locals and tourists alike. Discover Campden today — find things to do, and lots more — visit www.chipping-campden.net

Technorati Tags: cotswold hotels, cotswolds restaurants, holidaying in the Cotswolds

In 1966 an area covering 582 square miles (1507 sq kms) was designated in law as a special landscape which should be protected for future generations. In 1990, the boundaries were extended to create the Cotswolds AONB as we know it today-the largest in England and Wales covering 790 sq miles (2038 sq kms).

Over the past 40 years AONB status has meant that the Cotswolds has been conserved and enhanced. It also means that any change has, where possible, been in keeping with the distinctive nature of the area.
HRH, The Prince of Wales lives in the AONB, and he has congratulated the Board on the work that has been done to conserve the Cotswolds over the past 40 years. He has also said that he hopes that the Board will continue their work for `countless years to come`.
In the Board`s 40th Anniversary publication the Prince said:
‘I am particularly pleased, therefore, that the new Conservation Boards have a responsibility to conserve the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and promote people’s enjoyment of them, but also to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities.’
Throughout 2006 the Cotswolds Conservation Board will be encouraging the public to join them in celebrating the 40th Anniversary by working to ensure that as many people as possible enjoy the AONB. They will be providing a range of publications to help improve public understanding of the Cotswolds landscape and guide people towards events designed to encourage them to get out and enjoy the Cotswolds.

By: Iain Thomas

Iain Thomas writes articles on travel leisure and tourism in the UK. He has a particular interest in walking and the national parks. He runs a website about UK Walking where you can find 1000’s of walk routes and places to stay nearby.

Technorati Tags: Cotswolds, england, Hotels, walking