Civil War Encampment 2025

About

The English Civil War Society comes to Chippenham as Chippenham Town Council plays host to Sir Marmaduke Rawdon's Regiment of Foote as they establish a Soldiers Encampment and Living History Village in Monkton Park.
The Island, Monkton Park, Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 June
11am – 4pm

It's 1643. It has been just a few days since Royalist Armies saw fierce fighting at Lansdown Hill near Bath, before marching through Chippenham and on to Devizes. A detachment of Royalist soldiers is encamped by the river on Chippenham Island to ensure that the Town is protected from any enemy. Some of the Townsfolk have also set up camp nearby, to display their wares for sale to the soldiers and any visitors.

Please feel free to visit the encampment, find out more about Chippenham in the Civil War and watch the displays throughout the day. Don't forget to take part in The Gunner's Raffle and win a chance to fire the Cannon!

The programme is repeated both days:

11am: The cannon opens fire with the first shot of the day, ready to bombard any enemy approaching the town

11.15am: The Musketeers practice firing their muskets, reloading as fast as they can before opening fire once again

11.45am: A demonstration of combat skills by the Pikemen; armoured soldiers with 16-foot-long spears tipped with steel

12.15pm: The Colonel needs more new soldiers for his regiment and wants to train young people to become brave Pikemen

12.45pm: Officers and Soldiers take a hurried meal before returning to their duties

1.15pm: The Cannon 'Gives Fire' once again as the Gunners demonstrate how to load and fire under Battlefield conditions as fast as they can

1.45pm: Journey of the Soldier from Queen Bess to Queen Anne: A visual demonstration revealing how the English soldier changed and adapted over 100 years

2.30pm: A Drill and 'Exercise of Armes' by Rawdon's Regiment – Pikemen, Musketeers and Drums

3.15pm: The Colonel (still) needs more new soldiers for his regiment and wants to train young people to become brave Pikemen

3.45pm: Fierce combat as enemy soldiers attack the Campsite.

17th Century trades and crafts will be demonstrated by the townsfolk which will include a working printing press giving out the latest news sheets with tidings of the War and other news. Here the re-enactors will be happy to meet visitors, explain their work and share stories about Chippenham's role in the English Civil War.

Look forward to the main event on Saturday 25 July & Sunday 26 July 2026 when you will be able to see The King's Army and the Roundhead Association together in a fight to decide whether the town will be Royalist or throw in its lot with Parliament!