A mini guide to
Cirencester: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Pay by phone or card
Cotswold District Council lists car parks in Cirencester and takes only PayByPhone or contactless card payment, not cash.
See the amphitheatre for free
English Heritage says entry to the Roman Amphitheatre is free and it is open daily in daylight hours, with dogs on leads welcome.
Combine the museum and the church
The Corinium Museum and the parish church are both close to the Market Place, so they link easily on foot.
Take the train to Kemble
Cirencester has no station of its own. The Cotswolds tourism partnership suggests Kemble, then the 882 bus.
Walk into the park
Cirencester Park is the Bathurst family's estate west of town; check access rules before you go.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cirencester?
Cirencester is in the Cotswolds, England. A Roman town turned wool town, with a museum, a landmark church and an amphitheatre. Nearby stops and stations include Kemble station, Stagecoach 882.
How long do I need in Cirencester?
A full day. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Church of St John the Baptist, Corinium Museum, Market Place. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Kemble station (GWR trains); Stagecoach 882 (Kemble to Cirencester). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 11 places to eat and drink in and around Cirencester, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 6 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Cirencester accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Cirencester
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
The Coln Gallery
Art shop and framer on West Market Place, trading since 1975.
Church of St John the Baptist
Grade I listed church with a Perpendicular porch and fan vaults, paid for by wool merchants.
Corinium Museum
Museum of Roman Corinium and Cotswold history, with over 90 mosaics known from the town and area.
The Cotswolds
More areas to explore
Chipping Campden
A wool town of stone terraces, a 1627 market hall and the start of the Cotswold Way
Open the mini guide →
Broadway
A wide High Street of stone houses below Broadway Tower
Open the mini guide →
Stow-on-the-Wold
A hilltop market town around a large square where the Royalists surrendered in 1646
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Market Place: Christopher Hilton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Coln Gallery: Jaggery, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Church of St John the Baptist: Christine Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Corinium Museum: Jaggery, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Chipping Campden: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Broadway: Jeff Gogarty, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stow-on-the-Wold: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bourton-on-the-Water: Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Burford: bongo vongo, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Cotswolds