Cirencester

Cirencester is a picturesque market town in the Cotswolds, in the county of Gloucestershire. It's an ancient market town with traditional Cotswold buildings and thriving shopping centre. It's worth spending a morning here, especially on a Saturday. Every other Saturday there is a farmer's market.

Understand
Cirencester is the Roman capital of the Cotswolds, Roman Corinium. People are very friendly and it's easy to get in. The town is famous for its polo connections in the Cirencester Great Park, and for the Royal Agricultural College. It's about 90 miles west of London and in 2011 had a population of 19,076.
 * Town council wrbsite

Get in


There's usually one bus an hour to Cirencester from Swindon, Cheltenham and Stroud.

There is a National Express Bus service to Heathrow Airport and London Victoria from the Beeches Car Park (near the town center).

Parking in Cirencester has become more expensive, but there are many car parks near the centre. There is also parking on the high street, but not on market days.

Get around
The town is small enough to walk around on foot, and was pedestrianised in 2017.

Kemble
A small village 5 miles southwest of Cirencester:

Buy
There are the typical high-street chains here, but there are some good special local shops in Dyer Street, the Market Place and in Black Jack Street behind the church.

A great locally-owned fresh fish shop, New Wave, in Dyer Street, sells quality sustainable Cornish fish and shellfish, as well as homemade fishpies, fishcakes and potted shrimp.

Mid-range

 * Le Spa Hotel, in Stratton, short walk from town centre, Cotswold Manor House with superb spa and events facilities.
 * The Fleece Hotel, High street. 1651 restaurant.
 * Le Spa Hotel, in Stratton, short walk from town centre, Cotswold Manor House with superb spa and events facilities.
 * The Fleece Hotel, High street. 1651 restaurant.
 * The Fleece Hotel, High street. 1651 restaurant.

Connect
Cirencester and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Charming Cotswolds villages surround the town.
 * Cheltenham is a wonderful Georgian spa town.
 * Witney is where you come into lower pastoral country towards Oxford.