 | The charming town of Cirencester, known as 'The Capital of the Cotswolds', was a place of great importance in Roman Britain: second only to London. There are still remains of the Roman town visible, including a Roman amphitheatre and a stretch of Roman wall. There's also an exhibition of Roman remains from the town that you can visit.
In common with other Cotswold villages and towns, Cirencester features limestone buildings throughout and a fantastic mix of buildings too - spanning several centuries. This was once an important wool town and this too is evidenced in the buildings: the fabulous Cirencester Parish Church in the Market Place is one of the most impressive 'wool' churches in Britain.
The town's market town status got a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086: today market traders set up their stalls each Monday and Friday and there is also a regular farmers' market staged here. Watch out too for the crafts and antiques markets held regularly.
Cirencester is located near Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold and is a great location for visitors within to explore the Cotswolds.
One of the must-see attractions in this area is Cirencester Park: the family seat of the Earls of Bathurst and one of the greatest examples of geometric landscaping that you will find in this country. The park covers some 10,000 acres and is a great place to stroll round. A castellated building stands at the entrance to the park: this was built in 1898 and, at one time, was the 4th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment's Head Quarters. Events staged at Cirencester Park include the Cotswold Show and within the park is the famous polo ground which was founded in 1894 and is the UK's oldest polo playing ground. You can see world-class players competing here: the Royal Princes William and Harry and their father Prince Charles are amongst those who have played polo here.
You may also like to visit the surviving parts of St John the Evangelist hospital, which was founded by Henry I in 1133. |
