Court Barn is a craft and design museum in Chipping Campden, telling the stories of craftspeople, designers and artists who worked in the north Cotswolds from 1900 to the present. Its permanent display centres on C. R. Ashbee and the Guild of Handicraft, making it a focused stop for anyone interested in the region’s making and design history.
- Location: Church Street, Chipping Campden, GL55 6JE.
- From Badgers Hall: Court Barn is about a five-minute walk from Badgers Hall, a guesthouse in Chipping Campden.
- Regular hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
- Access: The entrance, exhibition area and WC are wheelchair accessible; the first-floor archives are not.
What is Court Barn?
Court Barn Museum traces the people and ideas behind craft and design in the north Cotswolds. The Guild of Handicraft Trust opened the museum in Chipping Campden in 2007, with much of its funding coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The story reaches back to spring 1902, when C. R. Ashbee moved the Guild of Handicraft from East London to Chipping Campden. Fifty Guildsmen and their families arrived that summer with workshop equipment, establishing a significant chapter in the town’s craft history.
Which makers and design stories are covered?
The permanent display focuses on C. R. Ashbee and the Guild of Handicraft, alongside eight other important designer-makers. Together, they frame the museum’s account of the people and their work rather than treating craft as a collection of objects alone.
Court Barn also presents temporary exhibitions, related events and selling shows of contemporary craft. The mix gives the museum a broader focus than its permanent account of the Guild and its makers.
How do you get to Court Barn on foot?
Court Barn is on Church Street in central Chipping Campden. From the Market Hall, it is a six-minute walk, according to Chipping Campden Online. If you are planning a town-centre stroll, the guide to Chipping Campden Market Hall and the town centre covers that nearby landmark.
The nearest bus stop is listed as Cidermill Lane, and the nearest public parking as the School car park, approximately a three-minute walk away. These directions come from a local visitor directory, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours, tickets and accessibility
Hours can change; check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00–16:00
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The museum’s access statement says the entrance, exhibition area and WC are wheelchair accessible, while the first-floor archives are not. Staff can arrange for visitors unable to reach the archives to study material in the main gallery.
Facilities include accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities, pushchair access and gallery seating. Gallery guides are available in a number of languages, and an induction loop is provided.
What else can you see nearby?
The Market Hall is a natural addition to a visit to Court Barn: it is a six-minute walk away, and the Almshouses are a five-minute walk from the Market Hall. St James’ Church is a seven-minute walk from the same point, so these town-centre stops can fit into one walking visit.
For another museum visit focused on design, the Gordon Russell Museum in Broadway offers a separate stop.
FAQs
What kind of museum is Court Barn?
It is a museum of craft and design, focused on craftspeople, designers and artists working in the north Cotswolds from 1900 to the present.
Can wheelchair users access the archives?
The first-floor archives are not wheelchair accessible. Staff can arrange for relevant material to be studied in the main gallery.
Does Court Barn have changing exhibitions?
Yes. Alongside its permanent display, it presents temporary exhibitions, related events and selling shows of contemporary craft.