Car Hire Cirencester

Cirencester serves as the hub of an excellent road network, with the A417 providing dual carriageway connections to Gloucester and the M5 at junction 11A, whilst the A419 links directly to the M4 at junction 15 near Swindon. Additional routes include the A429 towards Warwick, the A433 to Bath and local connections via the A40 towards Oxford, making this historic market town remarkably accessible from all directions. Home to over 20,000 residents, Cirencester experiences a temperate maritime climate typical of the Cotswolds, with comfortable summers reaching 22°C in July and cooler winters dropping to around 8°C in February, though you should prepare for the area’s annual rainfall of 817mm distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Attractions In Cirencester

Visit Roman heritage sites and traditional market town attractions, featuring ancient amphitheatre ruins, independent shops around the historic marketplace, excellent museums and beautiful parks celebrating centuries of continuous settlement.

Corinium Museum

Consistently earning outstanding reviews from over 1,000 visitors with an impressive 4.7-star rating, this exceptional museum on Park Street stands as Cirencester’s top-rated attraction. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM, plus Sundays from 2 PM until 4 PM, the museum houses one of Britain’s finest collections of Roman antiquities. The staff’s warm hospitality and the extensive displays create an engaging experience that brings ancient history to life, though visitors should note that some find the admission prices slightly steep despite excellent crinkly discounts being available.

Cotswold Sculpture Park

Operating Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 AM until 5 PM, this wonderful discovery at The Paddock in Somerford Keynes offers visitors a beautiful, tranquil setting with scores of interesting sculptures crafted from many different materials. The peaceful environment provides the perfect backdrop for viewing this eclectic range of art, whilst allowing ample time to sit and appreciate each piece. A lovely café serving light meals and delicious homemade cakes completes the experience, with excellent value and an exceptionally helpful staff enhancing every visit.

Rodmarton Manor

Available for visits twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 AM until 5 PM, this remarkable manor house on Oathill Lane showcases magical topiary that alone justifies the journey. The gardens masterfully embrace the surrounding landscape whilst creating formal spaces that perfectly reflect the era of the house’s construction. This controlled yet naturalistic garden design demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship and provides visitors with a lovely afternoon exploring the grounds and appreciating the harmonious relationship between architecture and landscape.

Cirencester Amphitheatre

Operating six days weekly from 9 AM until 4:30 PM on weekdays and 10 AM until 4 PM on Saturdays, this fascinating historical landmark on Cotswold Avenue offers free parking and easy accessibility. The surviving earthworks from Roman times provide an excellent setting for picnics or relaxation on sunny days atop the ancient mounds. Though photographs struggle to capture its full impact, the site offers genuine historical significance and makes for an interesting stop when exploring the broader Roman heritage of the area.

The Hexagon

Available daily from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, this intriguing historical landmark has been proven almost entirely free of troublesome hexes despite its mysteriously hexagonal shape. The monument’s geometric form creates visual interest and provides visitors with an unusual architectural curiosity. Its accessibility throughout extended hours makes it convenient for those exploring Cirencester’s various historical sites and landmarks during their visit to this ancient market town.

The 12th Century Norman Arch Gate House

Standing as a remarkable testament to medieval architecture, this well-preserved gatehouse represents the Spyringate or Spitalgate, built in 1180 as one of the main entrances to the Abbey precinct. The ancient walls followed the line of former Roman town defences, creating layers of historical significance. This exceptional piece of Norman architecture remains in excellent condition and definitely warrants a visit for anyone interested in the medieval development of Cirencester and its religious foundations.

For convenient exploration of nearby Cotswold destinations, consider these popular locations:

• Driffield
• Barnsley
• Poulton
• Bisley
• Cowley
• Tetbury
• Stroud
• Sherborne

Roman Town Wall

Accessible 24 hours daily, these remarkable remains showcase Cirencester’s incredible Roman heritage when the settlement known as Corinium Dobunnorum ranked as Britain’s second largest town. By the 2nd century, this impressive urban centre covered 240 acres with a population reaching up to 12,000 residents, later becoming the capital of Britannia Prima province. Excavations have revealed wide collonaded streets, imposing public buildings and richly furnished private houses decorated with fine mosaics, demonstrating the wealth and sophistication of Roman Britain.

Augustinian Abbey Of St Mary

Founded by Henry I around 1117 on the site of a Saxon church, which itself stood upon Roman foundations, this historical landmark demonstrates the layered heritage of Cirencester. The abbot became Lord of the Manor and gained rights to hold profitable wool fairs, leading to prosperity that created tension with local townsfolk throughout the medieval period. The abbey survived until Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, when Roger Bassinge purchased it, followed by Dr Richard Master in 1564, who famously donated the Boleyn Cup to St John the Baptist church.

St. John Baptist Cirencester

Open every single day from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon for tours and services, this beautiful church showcases a fascinating hodgepodge of historical additions to its original Norman foundations. Architectural beauty flourishes both inside and out, with fascinating details rewarding careful exploration throughout the building. The church dominates Cirencester’s skyline and houses impressive features, including beautiful stained glass windows, expertly crafted images and a remarkable Lego sculpture of the cathedral that demonstrates contemporary creativity within ancient walls.

Cotswold Country Park & Beach

Operating daily from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, this amazing water park on Spratsgate Lane attracts tourists from across the region, as evidenced by over 1,900 enthusiastic reviews. The UK’s largest inland beach provides sandy relaxation beside stunning lagoons, whilst the incredible AquaVenture inflatable waterpark offers action-packed obstacles and slides. Families enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, pedal boats, mini golf, adventure playgrounds and BBQ facilities, creating perfect conditions for memorable day trips throughout the summer season.

Cirencester Park

The Old Kennels at The Bathurst Estate provides access to this gorgeous park from 8 AM until 5 PM daily, offering wonderful opportunities to connect with nature. Though entrance fees can be surprisingly expensive and the online payment system occasionally proves slow and convoluted, the beautiful grounds and bistro-style café food create pleasant experiences. Families with little children particularly appreciate the indoor play area and the park’s well-suited facilities, though visitors should expect higher costs than typical park visits.

Abbey Grounds Park

Open all day and all night on Blake Road, this beautiful small park consistently earns praise from nearly 1,000 visitors who award it an impressive 4.6-star rating. The flat, circular walking path provides easy accessibility, whilst the fascinating ‘ice house’ archaeological feature adds historical interest to nature walks. Wildlife enthusiasts appreciate the abundant spotting opportunities, whilst recently updated toilet facilities and proximity to the town centre make lunch trips convenient and enjoyable for frequent visitors.

St. Michael’s Park

Operating daily for 12 hours from 8 AM until 8 PM on King Street, this exceptional park ranks highly among families visiting with children and groups hosting large church gatherings. Great play equipment caters to both older and younger children, whilst expansive grass areas accommodate football, rounders and various ball games. Additional facilities include rentable areas for mini golf, tennis, croquet and BBQ spaces, though finding parking can prove challenging during busy periods despite the excellent on-site café and toilet facilities.

Source Of The River Thames

This remarkable tourist attraction near Cirencester marks the official beginning of England’s most famous river, though visitors should manage expectations regarding what they’ll observe. During summer months, low groundwater levels mean no visible water appears, leaving only a pile of stones where small puddles form after heavy rain or during winter. Despite the modest physical presence, the location holds deep meaning and provides access to beautiful surrounding countryside, with the Thames Path offering walks along the initially dry riverbed until water finally emerges downstream.

Hare & Horse Sculpture

Standing proudly day and night in West Market Place, this intriguing sculpture captures attention in the centre of this lovely Cotswold town with its unusual artistic vision. The artwork depicts fascinating figures combining half-human and half-animal characteristics, creating something quite different from conventional public art. Though information about the creator remains limited, the prominent town centre position ensures this distinctive piece certainly catches every visitor’s attention and provides an interesting talking point about contemporary artistic expression.