The pretty UK market town full of independent shops and loved by international tourists

An incredibly beautiful market town that boasts that old world, quintessential English charm is attracting tourists from across the world despite its small size. Hailed as one of the jewels of the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden is full of gorgeous cobblestone streets, historic cottages and an incredibly picturesque high street bursting with independent shops.

The ancient town's history spans all the way back to Saxon times. Its long and wide main street was once the beating heart of the local wool trade. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Cotswolds, in particular Chipping Campden, became very prosperous thanks to its thriving wool trade. The word 'Chipping' comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'ceapen', meaning 'market', and was not added until much later, when the town had a market.

Chipping Campden's stunning buildings are mostly made of Cotswold stone. Hugh De Gondeville, a close friend of King Henry II, laid them out in this format.

Bursting with character, Chipping Campden is relatively small and is only home to 2,405 residents, according to the Office for National Statistics. Despite its small size, Chipping Campden has a wide reach, attracting tourists from across the globe in search of a traditional English town.

Dr Mark Taylor, who owns Bantam Tea Rooms with his wife Carolyn, told the Express that the town's global reach "always surprises" him, with Nobel Prize winners even gracing his ancient tea rooms.

He said: "We have people from all over the world, the reach always surprises me, people are searching for their quintessentially English village and all that it offers in real terms.

"We typically have three types of visitors, one is the international tourists who often visit London, Bath, and then move on to us and go on to the Lake District or perhaps Edinburgh.

"The second is the staycation visitor who are seeking the old English charm we have to offer and the third is people who travel just for the day.

"We have been a tea room since 1946, our building was originally built in 1693, with our lovely limestone and old timber you feel like you have gone back in time even before you have drunk a cup of coffee.

"We have generational customers - we have people who first came to our historic tea rooms as children and then years later they bring their own grandchildren.

"This weekend we have an American travel blogger staying with us, just the other day I was serving a table from Alaska. We get lots of Americans and Canadians and have even had a noble prize winner stay here. You really meet people from all walks of life."

The characterful English tea rooms even featured in an air flight magazine from Korea, something Mark said he "couldn't believe".

Mark, who has co-owned the business for eleven years, believes the large number of independents is a major pull attracting tourists.

He said: "The large number of tourists helps the independents and I'm sure it's part of the attraction to visitors also.

"The independents give the town its own distinction. For example, we make all our own soaps, jams, and chutneys. Everything is prepared to order. People message us from as far as South Africa to send them some of our home-made goods.

"One of the most important things is to run your business with passion and love. Our complete focus is on the customer.

"The tourism season here is pretty strong throughout the year, we have a strong local community of businesses.

"Campden is at the start or end of the Cotswolds Way - often have people visiting the town starting their 100 mile journey which runs between Campden and Bath. Doing a walk such as this isn't limited to just the summer months

"We have eight rooms people can stay in and are open every day apart from Christmas Day."

Uncertainty may well be engulfing other high streets across the UK, but there's no sense of that here. Mark has even bought a couple of sites along the main street as Chipping Campden's appeal continues to grow.

Craig Stanley, Chef Patron at Blockley Café, tells the Express that Brits and tourists worldwide are attracted to Chipping Campden's postcard image, and the area sees an increase in tourism every year.

"The Cotswolds name itself brings a lot of people," says Craig.

He continues: "People immediately think of the thatched rooms, its post card image and having that quintessentially English charm which draws people from all walks of life.

"I think British people are starting to realise there are a lot of people at home, especially with the younger generation.

"My wife and I travel to little towns and villages and stay in beautiful cottages, and that is the same reason why people come here."

In a time of overtourism fears erupting worldwide, it appears Chipping Campden is grateful for the visitors who do come to its historic town.

Craig says, "I always tell people who complain about tourists that most of them weren't actually born and raised here. I tell people they were once tourists. People move to this area because it's so beautiful, and I mean, can you blame them?

"Father Brown is filmed next door to us here in Blockley, which is less than 10 minutes away from Chipping Campden. This alone brings a lot of tourists.

"My pricing is fair and competitive as your target audience isn't just tourists, it's locals as well. It's all about having balance."

Craig adds that independents, such as himself, run their businesses out of love and passion for the area. In a bid to keep their high street charm, communities often reject applications for big chains.

He says, "No two independents are the same. It is important to keep our high street full of independents as it fits in with the surroundings. Communities here often reject applications from big chains. People here are proud and passionate about their businesses.

"They're not making millions, but they are doing it out of love, and there is plenty of competition.

"I will never forget my opening day just over eight years ago - I made £90. I haven't looked back since, we started off with two members of staff and we have 22.

"Independent business owners have to have a love for it, and the people here really do. What a journey it's been. I've got a great team

"Local businesses use local supplies, for example, all our suppliers are local."

Chipping Campden locals Hannah and Stephen boast of Chipping Campden's serenity, especially when compared to in comparison to some of the Cotswolds more famous towns.

The owners of the gift shop, Frankie Doodle, added, "This year has seen an increase in the number of visitors to the shop, domestic and foreign. We have tourists from all over the world. Visitors from America are a high proportion of people who visit Campden, along with a high number from Australia.

"The rich history and the age of the buildings that line the high street and near the town centre are what attract tourists to the area. Chipping Campden is quieter than nearby towns like Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water, as we don't have the parking facilities that these towns have.

"The town is mainly independent stores, as the town is too small to accommodate large retailers apart from the grocery stores."

The pair say the town is now gearing up for its busiest time of the year with Christmas fast approaching.

Hannah and Stephen say: "We are now heading towards what has in recent years been our busiest time of the year! The run-up to Christmas includes the town's Christmas market, which sees the high street closed to vehicles; this is also the official turning on of the Christmas lights and attracts lots of visitors to the town.

"Our shop is adjacent to the town's market hall, built in 1627, and this is also where the Cotswold Way starts or finishes, depending on the way you walk it.

"This is also a reason for many people visiting the town to walk the 102 miles to Bath."