|
 Chippenham
has an extensive and varied recreational base offering a wide range
of sporting and leisure facilities.
Beautiful riverside walks and the Sustrans National Cycleway can
be found along the banks of the River Avon, which also provides
excellent coarse fishing. The Avon is also home to the Chippenham
Sailing and Canoeing Club and the Chippenham Sea Cadets TS Tiger.
The Olympiad Leisure Centre in Monkton Park provides a multitude
of facilities including an indoor swimming pool with flume rides,
a whirlpool and four 25 metre lanes.
The Olympiad also has a fully equipped sports hall, squash courts,
large fitness room and social facilities. It is also the venue for
a variety of sports clubs and classes. Creche facilities are also
available.
The Angel Hotel offers private gym facilities and a heated leisure
pool.
Chippenham’s second sports hall in Hardenhuish Park opens
to the public at evenings and weekends for a variety of activities
including badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and five a side football.
Tennis enthusiasts can play at the all weather courts in John Coles
Park or at the floodlit courts at the privately run Chippenham Sports
Club on the Bristol Road, which also provides hockey and cricket
facilities.
Chippenham Golf Club, on the outskirts of town, boasts an 18 hole,
par 69 course and practice area, clubhouse, a well stocked club
shop and professional tuition. Visitors are welcome without a handicap
certificate. A challenging par 3 course is located in Monkton Park
for the less experienced or those wishing to sharpen up their short
g ame.
Equipment can be hired at the course.
The bowling community of Chippenham is well served by the North
Wiltshire Indoor Bowls Centre at Westcroft, the Chippenham Sports
Club and Westinghouse Pavilion off the Bristol Road, and the beautifully
maintained outdoor facilities in John Coles Park, where free introductory
bowls lessons are available most Fridays from May until September.
Youth football centres on the Chippenham Town FC and FC Chippenham
whilst the senior town side has a team who play at Hardenhuish Park
are sponsored by British Gas Business and in the Southern League
Premier Division. The Chippenham Sunday League caters for other
adult matches.
Rugby enthusiasts of all ages and abilities focus on the superb
complex complete with clubhouse, located off the A350.
Chippenham and District Constitutional Club, the Gladstone Liberal
Club and the West End Working  Men’s
Club have among their facilities, pool, snooker and other games.
Skittle alleys are available at these and several other licensed
premises in the town.
The Astoria Cinema in Marshfield Road screens the latest film releases
and there is also a Social and Bingo Club on the same site. Residents
of all ages also enjoy and support a variety of dramatic, choral,
musical, dance and orchestral clubs and societies.
These organisations are listed in this guide as at the time of printing.
Up-to-date details may be obtained from the Tourist Information
Centre or the Library in Timber Street.
|
