The Buttercross

The original stone Buttercross was erected in c.1570 and stood in the current location of Barclays Bank in the Market Place, where it served as the centre of The Shambles. The Buttercross was used for the sale of meat and dairy products.

In 1889 Mr. E.C. Lowndes bought the Buttercross for £6. He re-erected it as a gazebo in the kitchen garden of the Castle Combe Manor House, where it fell into disrepair.

The Buttercross was re-erected in its current location in 1995 by the Chippenham Civic Society with funding provided by a wide range of local organisations and individuals including Chippenham Town Council. It currently stands as the centre-piece of the pedestrianised area of the town centre, where a market is held each Friday and Saturday.

The Buttercross is available free of charge for charity or community groups for promotion, recruiting and fund raising. Bookings can be made via the Tourist Information Centre at the Yelde Hall telephone 01249 665970 or Email tourism@chippenham.gov.uk