Cottages near Cirencester

Discover the Capital of the Cotswolds

With a long and rich history, which sees the town mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, Cirencester was once the second largest town only to London. Today, it remains a lovely market town that is a joy to explore.

The old Market Place is a focal point for Cirencester, sitting under the gaze of St John Baptist Church. There is a weekly charter market along with regular farmer’s markets and continental markets. The Corn Hall is an undercover space where visitors can browse the weekly antiques and collectables market. There is also a Cotswold craft market and a regular vintage and artisan fair. For shoppers, Cirencester has an abundance of independent boutiques. You’ll find these tucked away on the pretty narrow streets and into hidden courtyards. Stable Yard, Swan Yard and the Woolmarket are particularly charming places to explore.

Art lovers should make for New Brewery Arts, set in a convicted Victorian brewery it’s home to a contemporary art gallery, craft makers, studios, and a delightful café.

Cirencester’s Roman past is also very much part of the present day. The Corinium Museum is multi-award winning and takes visitors on an engaging walk through one of the largest collections of Roman-British antiquities including stunning mosaics. A short walk from the centre of town is the Roman amphitheatre, now grassed over, it remains one of the best preserved in the country

After exploring the winding streets and ancient history, it’s just a few more steps to find the beautiful green space that is Cirencester Park. This is Earl Bathurst’s 3,000-acre estate, one of Britain’s best-preserved 19th-century landscapes. It’s open daily and free for visitors.

Cirencester has excellent road access, whilst lying amidst the beautiful Cotswold countryside and it is a wonderful base for a stay in the part of the country.