Cirencester

I’ve visited Cirencester for several reasons (flat tyre, exhausted-need-an-escape, fancied a market visit) and for a relatively small town, it still has me coming back, so already I can tell you I have visited and will visit again.

Many places attach the Cotswolds name to their town and this is no different (that could also be why I am charmed by it, given my love for the Cotswolds!). Known as the “Capital of the Cotswolds”, in the past I’ve frequently driven in and around the area and the Cirencester name popped on road-signs of places that were nearby; it was nice to finally go there and check it all out a couple of years ago.

It’s a market town that, on the days that I have visited, definitely has some hustle-bustle about it. The best way I can describe my trips there is that everyone seems to be exploring and enjoying the town; it has a nice vibe to it. The town is a historic Roman town and has plenty to check out, in the very town or in the surrounding areas. The architecture is a treat to wander around and look at. St John Baptist church can easily be your landmark as it holds court in the centre of the Market Square.

So let’s take a look at some things I have seen and some places I want to check out in the future! As always I break out my visits by categories, to help you plan the kind of trip you may like to take there.

Walkers

These are both on my to-visit list:
Abbey Grounds is within the site of St Mary’s Abbey and there is an accompanying trail booklet that you can pick up to learn more about it, available from the museum and the information centre within town. You’ll find part of a Roman wall ruin still there, there’s a bandstand that has hosted bands in the past during the summer and again St John Baptist church provides a pretty backdrop from the lake.
Cirencester Park – dating back to the 1700’s ,this park is free to roam around, located on the Bathurst Estate, just a little walk from town – it’s worth noting the history of it’s use has been plentiful, from deer park to hospital. Apparently there is a little coffee van on the inside of the park, so something to keep you going on your walk.

Shoppers

This is a bit of a shopper’s heaven in some ways. There’s a couple of chain stores but it’s worth taking a long stroll around and diving into the little side streets as there are so many independent shops. Oops a daisy is a really lovely florist, hard to miss with its gorgeous exterior and one you’ll be hard pushed not to walk out with some blooms from. There’s also a classic pharmacy, G Hortons on the Market Square; with its traditional front and appeal, I usually find myself in there. There’s a lovely lovely Crystal Shop, Simply Crystals; not only do they have a great selection but the owner is really knowledgeable, which makes a big difference. As if that wasn’t enough, we were welcomed by the owner’s two beautiful and friendly dogs while in there. Apparently, return visits to this shop are often with these pups in mind, aah!
There’s a nice street of charity shops, as you head down Cricklade Street and more independent, higher end…basically there’s something for everyone, it’s just a matter of mooching about.
There’s also Charter Market – a market that is on every Monday and Friday. In fact, this market is one of the oldest known and is even mentioned in the Doomsday book! There’s plenty of stall holders, from plants to (amazing) Arancini to gifts and other food and drink options. Perfect to grab a bite and sit in the sun on a bench by St John Baptist’s church.These are honestly just a few hand picks, there’s just so many places to look there.

There’s an indoor market at the Corn Hall, which quite often has artisan, vintage, and antique fairs on. Inside the Corn Hall you’ve also got an amazing deli..more on that shortly and a great shop called Witches Knickers!

Parking: (we always park in the Forum car park – it’s the closest to the town and often the busiest, but keep in mind that statistically you, on average, only have to wait 5 mins for a car parking space to appear, so you shouldn’t be kept waiting for too long)

Drinkers

Teatro gets two mentions in this as they have their restaurant, which I loved, as well as their cocktail bar, where they have live music playing most weekends. We saw a fantastic pianist / singer who played requests as well as her own set list, and her range was just amazing.

There’s also so many pubs dotted about, and some I’d like to try are:
The Golden Cross
The Hop Kettle and
The Twelve Bells

They all look characterful – it seems like a pub crawl could be in order!

Cafes/Delis

With all of the activities within the town, you’re going to need to stop for a drink / bite to eat! You’ve got your usual coffee shops (Cafe Nero is still my favourite chain) and we have also visited the instagram-gorgeous pink hued Luxe cafe for one of their incredible hot chocolates (return visit needed for a waffle or pancakes or cocktail!) You’ll know instantly on arrival which table you want to be seated at ;). The Corn Hall deli is also definitely worth a visit; from wines to savoury and sweet items, oils and vinegars; there’s so much to look at.

I’d like to try
He Says She Waffles coffee shop
Heather’s Cafe

Drizzle Chocolate
I’d like to go into Edible by Aggy, too, a true food artists’ dream, to see some of the centrepieces the team there are creating for their clients.

Restaurants

There are plenty of brasseries and restaurants with a variety of cuisine to choose from. So far, when visiting, we have (admittedly ruined our dinner because the smell from here was too good to resist) visited the Malt & Anchor fish and chip restaurant / take away; very very good. We also ate at the Teatro restaurant, a short walk out of town; the interiors and food in this restaurant are, in my opinion, exceptional. Locally sourced ingredients make up the rustic vibe of this restaurant. We also recently had a really nice Sunday roast dinner at The Bear pub. It gets booked up, but we were able to get a first come, first served table outside in the autumnal sun.

Places I’d like to try still:
Corinium Restaurant
Tierra and Mar – modern tapas
MBB Brasserie (because their deli is really lovely!)

The Fleece

Hotels

We stayed at the impeccable Ingleside Hotel, a gorgeous country hotel where the staff did not put a single foot wrong. From handwritten thoughtful welcome cards, to the design and thought gone into the rooms; it was hard to leave such a lovely hotel. There’s parking directly opposite the hotel too, which is handy and the Barn Theatre just opposite, which I must add to my list to go to next time.
There’s a Premier inn, just out of town as well as, when we checked, quite a few b&bs, air b&bs and holiday cottages too.

I’d like to stay at:
The Fleece
The Kings Head

Sightseeing

All on my list:
The Corinium museum, which I can’t believe I’ve not made time to visit so far, but this is an award winning place and has an extensive display of Roman collections.
Head to Trinity Street to find the unmissable Cirencester Lock Up, where years back prisoners were held in one of the two cells, long before the police force were in…well..force!
If you fancy a trip to an arts and crafts visit, you’re in luck with the New Brewery Arts; centrally located and you can watch craftsmen perfecting their talents in glass-blowing, upholstering and weaving; there’s an onsite cafe and shop, so you can even take a souvenir home with you too.
St John Baptist Church – this is a really lovely church with an almost cathedral feel to it. Whilst you have a look around inside, keep an eye out for a real gem, which is a gilded goblet that Anne Boleyn gifted to Dr Richard Masters (personal doctor to Queen Elizabeth I), who presented it to the church. It’s under lock and key in it’s cabinet but luckily on display! There’s also a sweet wild flower trail directly behind the church. I’ve seen both times I’ve visited, a newly married bride and groom, leaving the church and walking by foot to their reception, so keep you eyes peeled for happily marrieds!
Maybe less sightseeing but worth noting that there is an open air swimming pool in Cirencester, not too far from the Cirencester Park. It opens from May-September and you can only get there by foot or bike. It’s about 10 mins walk from town. It just feels like a fun way to either take your kids there for the afternoon or recapture your own youth and go for a swim in a picturesque spot.

Would I go again?

I would, and I think there really is enough to do here over a weekend; but you do have to tear yourself away from the shops and main market square (or at least I did) because the draw on a nice day, is being in the hubbub of the relaxed crowds.