Corinium Museum and other Cirencester, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The Museum was closed for renovation in 2002, and reopened in 2004 (a year late!), after a £5million tranformation. It proved to be well worth it, as the extended building and new layout enabled them to display many more artefacts and add interactive exhibits. You can trace the history of the town and surrounding area from prehistory right up to the 19th century, with a particularly good Roman collection, which reflects Cirencester's importance during that period.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.cirencester.co.uk/coriniummuseum/

Cirencester, or Corinium as it was known in Roman times, was the second most important Roman city in the province of Britannia, second only to Londinium. The amphitheatre, which dates from the 2nd Century, is one of the largest and best preserved amphitheatres in Britain. It is covered by earth and the two curving mounds enclosed a central area for shows and entertainments. It is covered by earth and the two curving mounds enclosed a central area for shows and entertainments. On these mounds planking and dry stone walls would have supported wooden seats for the spectators.

Leave a Comment

Directions: Walk up from Waitrose to where the road crosses the ringroad, and turn right - there is a brown heritage sign pointing the way. Walk along the road until you reach a gate. A path leads to the base of the amphitheatre.

Cirencester's main Anglican church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, stands in the centre of town in the Market Place. It's one of the largest parish churches in England, and one of the area's famous 'wool' churches, built on the wealth of the local wool trade. The original church on the site was probably founded in the 12th century, but little of this early structure remains. The chancel survives from the 13th and 14th centuries, but the main body of the church was rebuild in the 15th and 16th centuries. The celebrated south porch was added in 1490, and provided office space above the door for the town guilds.
There are remnants of medieval wall paintings in St Catherine's Chapel, and a carving of a cat and mouse / rat which may have something to do with the rhyme about Richard III - 'the cat, the rat and Lovell our dog, rule all England under a hog'. The Bolelyn Cup was given to the church by Dr. Richard Master, it having originally been a gift from his patient (and Anne Boleyn's daughter), Queen Elizabeth I.
The church is one of Simon Jenkin's Thousand Best Churches.

Leave a Comment

This park contains the site of St Mary's Abbey, which was consecrated in 1176 in the presence of Henry II, remaining until the Dissolution in 1539 when the Abbey was completely demolished. The site of the Abbey is outlined in paving stones. After the dissolution the lands were used to build a large house, Abbey House, which has also subsequently been demolished; but the grounds were purchased by the council for the use of the public. The park includes an artificial lake with wildfowl, a wooded area, and a play-park for children, and is an attractive, relaxing area.

A section of the Roman walls also survives to the north of the lake.

The park is situated behind the church and the Market place, and can be entered from the gate next to the church, or from the car park off Spitalgate Lane/Dollar Street.

Leave a Comment

There's a reason there's a road in Cirencester called Spitalgate Lane. It's because it was the site of the ancient hospital ('spital).

The hospital was founded by Henry I in 1133, (1154-1189), but may well have been refounded and endowed by Henry II (1154-1189), as the surviving arcaded nave dates to this period. It was acquired by Cirencester Abbey during the 13th century.

Leave a Comment

The countryside surrounding Cirencester is beautiful, and the three mile walk to the Duntisbournes is very rewarding if the weather is fine. The small Saxon/Norman church at Duntisbourne Rouse is a lovely destination, with plenty of ancient features to keep a medievalist happy!

Leave a Comment

Cirencester Park is the grounds of the Bathurst Estate, owned by the Earl Bathurst. They are open to the public 8am to 5pm every day, free of charge for walking and horseriding, although those walking dogs should be aware that some of the park is a no-dog area. It's a beautiful place to take a stroll, with views over the town from certain vantage points.

Leave a Comment