Roman Town of Cirencester

Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles west-northwest of London. People affectionately know it as “The Capital of The Cotswolds”.

Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames. It also is the largest town in the Cotswold District. The town dates back to before Roman times and celebrates its past in the local museum.

There are many things for visitors to Cirencester to see and do while visiting the area. The Corinium Museum‘s major collection consists of important finds from the Roman town of Corinium. It’s a fantastic museum to visit, especially if you have an interest in Roman History.

Things To Do In Cirencester

Church of St John the Baptist

St John the Baptist church in the marketplace of Cirencester is the largest parish church in the Cotswolds. It dates back to the 11th century and, as a result, encompasses many architectural styles. St John the Baptist church was built using Cotswold stone, and it has medieval stained glass windows. It is a Grade I listed building and, as a result, is a great place to have a look around inside and in its churchyard.

Antique Shops & Bookshops

There are lots of pleasant shops in Cirencester to visit, including some antique and bookshops. In the town centre is Cirencester Antiques Centre. They describe the centre as an Aladdin’s cave by visitors. There is room after room packed with a vast range of Antiques, collectibles and also gifts. The centre calls a historic 16th-century timber-framed building home, which is in the centre of town.

The centre is home to over 80 antique dealers, including some that trade in antique jewellery. This included sellers of ceramics, arts, watches, kitchenalia, coins and vintage clothes. On Black Jack Street in the town centre is Octavia’s Bookshop, an independent bookshop. As well as selling books, they also host a variety of events, including book signings.