Cirencester is the Roman Capital of the Cotswolds, Roman Corinium. 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. People are very friendly, it's easy to get in and it's famous for it's Polo connections in the Cirencester Great Park and the Royal Agricultural College. Cirencester has a Fat Face, a White Stuff, a small House of Fraser and a Marks and Spencer Food. On the outskirts, there is a Waitrose.
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Cirencester is the Roman Capital of the Cotswolds, Roman Corinium. 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. 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.
==Get in==
==Get in==
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There is no train line to this town, however Kemble Train staition is 4 miles away.
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There is no railway link to this town. However, Kemble station is 4 miles away with connections to Swindon and London Paddington to the east, and Gloucester and Cheltenham to the north.
There's usually one bus an hour to Cirencester from Swindon, Cheltenham and Stroud.
There's usually one bus an hour to Cirencester from Swindon, Cheltenham and Stroud.
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Parking in Cirencester has become harder in recent years due to increased prices but there are many carparks near the centre as well as in the market place (not on market days)
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There is a National Express Bus service to both Heathrow Airport and London Victoria from the Beeches Car Park. (Near the town center)
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Parking in Cirencester has become harder in recent years, owing to increased prices, but there are many car parks near the centre. There is also parking on the high street, but not on market days.
==Get around==
==Get around==
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==See==
==See==
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*the '''Roman Amphitheatre''' on the outskirts of the town is the original mound formation. Interesting and good in the snow! Owned by English Hertiage
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*the '''Roman Amphitheatre''' on the outskirts of the town is the original mound formation. Interesting and good in the snow! Owned by English Heritage
*'''Corinium Museum''', Park Street, tel 01285 655611. Excellent visitor attraction in the town centre.
*'''Corinium Museum''', Park Street, tel 01285 655611. Excellent visitor attraction in the town centre.
*the '''Parish Church of St John the Baptist''' - the 'Cathedral of the Cotswolds'
*the '''Parish Church of St John the Baptist''' - the 'Cathedral of the Cotswolds'
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==Do==
==Do==
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Swim either indoor at the sport centre or outdoors in the summer near Gloucester Street.
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*Swim: either indoor at the sport centre or outdoors in the summer near Gloucester Street.
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*Shop: Cirencester has a Fat Face, a White Stuff, a small House of Fraser and a Marks and Spencer Food. On the outskirts, there is a Waitrose.
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*<do name="New Brewery Arts" alt="" address="Brewery Court" directions="Off Cricklade Street - by the Brewery Car park" phone="" url="www.newbreweryarts.org.uk" hours="9-5 (10-4 Sunday)" price="" lat="" long="">A center for contemporary craft in the Cotswolds - a gallery, shop, cafe and on-site makers studios, all open to the public. Regular workshop and events. </do>
==Buy==
==Buy==
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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, has recently opened just next to the church in the Market Place.
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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, has recently opened just next to the church in the Market Place, selling top quality Cornish sustainable Cornish fish and shellfish, as well as homemade fishpies, fishcakes and potted shrimp made onsite by manager Ben Hoggett.
==Eat==
==Eat==
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===Moderate===
===Moderate===
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* '''Harry Hares''', [http://www.harryhares.co.uk/]. Restaurant and Brasserie serving high quality cuisine sourced from local suppliers and an extensive list of wines and champagnes.
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* '''Harry Hares''', [http://www.harryhares.co.uk/]. NOW CLOSED
* '''Relish'''. For something great tasting.
* '''Relish'''. For something great tasting.
* '''Thai Emerald'''. For fantastic set menu.
* '''Thai Emerald'''. For fantastic set menu.
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===Mid range===
===Mid range===
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*<sleep name="Best Western Stratton House Hotel" alt="" address="Gloucester Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 2LE" directions="" phone="+44 1285 651 761" url="http://www.strattonhousehotel.co.uk/" checkin="2PM" checkout="11AM" price="From £45" lat="" long="">Close to town, good for a break in the Cotswolds.</sleep>
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*'''The Old Bungalow Guest House''', [http://www.bandbcirencester.co.uk] 6 quality bed and breakfast en-suite rooms (2 of which are located on the ground floor). 2 Self Catering properties also available. Secure Gated Parking and Wifi. A few minutes walk from the centre of this historic market town. Ideal location to tour The Cotswolds
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*'''The Old Bungalow Guest House''', [http://www.bandbcirencester.co.uk] 6 quality bed and breakfast en-suite rooms (2 of which are located on the ground floor). Secure Gated Parking and wifi. A few minutes walk from the centre of this historic market town. Ideal location to tour The Cotswolds
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*<sleep name="Best Western Stratton House Hotel" alt="" address="Gloucester Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 2LE" directions="" phone="+44 1285 651 761" url="http://www.strattonhousehotel.co.uk/" checkin="2PM" checkout="11AM" price="From £45" lat="" long="">Close to town, good for a break in the Cotswolds.</sleep>
*'''The Old Brewhouse Bed and Breakfast''', [http://www.theoldbrewhouse.com] The Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality accommodation.
*'''The Old Brewhouse Bed and Breakfast''', [http://www.theoldbrewhouse.com] The Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality accommodation.
Cirencester is the Roman Capital of the Cotswolds, Roman Corinium. 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. 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.
There is no railway link to this town. However, Kemble station is 4 miles away with connections to Swindon and London Paddington to the east, and Gloucester and Cheltenham to the north.
There's usually one bus an hour to Cirencester from Swindon, Cheltenham and Stroud.
There is a National Express Bus service to both Heathrow Airport and London Victoria from the Beeches Car Park. (Near the town center)
Parking in Cirencester has become harder in recent years, owing to increased prices, but there are many car parks near the centre. There is also parking on the high street, but not on market days.
The town is small enough to walk around on foot. Discussions have been taking place as to whether the centre of town (in front of the church) should be pedestrianised - these have been going on for years, so don't hold your breath.
Swim: either indoor at the sport centre or outdoors in the summer near Gloucester Street.
Shop: Cirencester has a Fat Face, a White Stuff, a small House of Fraser and a Marks and Spencer Food. On the outskirts, there is a Waitrose.
New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court (Off Cricklade Street - by the Brewery Car park), [1]. 9-5 (10-4 Sunday). A center for contemporary craft in the Cotswolds - a gallery, shop, cafe and on-site makers studios, all open to the public. Regular workshop and events. edit
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, has recently opened just next to the church in the Market Place, selling top quality Cornish sustainable Cornish fish and shellfish, as well as homemade fishpies, fishcakes and potted shrimp made onsite by manager Ben Hoggett.
The Old Bungalow Guest House, [3] 6 quality bed and breakfast en-suite rooms (2 of which are located on the ground floor). 2 Self Catering properties also available. Secure Gated Parking and Wifi. A few minutes walk from the centre of this historic market town. Ideal location to tour The Cotswolds
Best Western Stratton House Hotel, Gloucester Road Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 2LE, ☎ +44 1285 651 761, [4]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM. Close to town, good for a break in the Cotswolds.From £45. edit
The Old Brewhouse Bed and Breakfast, [5] The Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality accommodation.
The Leauses, Victoria Road, [6]. Offers quality bed and breakfast accommodation, a short walk from Cirencester town centre.
The Watermark Hotel. Four Pillars Hotel Group. BRAND NEW 4* hotel and apartments on the Lakes at South Cerney.
Le Spa Hotel, in Stratton, short walk from town centre, Cotswold Manor House with superb Spa and events facilities.
Talbot Inn, 14 Victoria Road (From centre of town, at church, head East along road two hundred yards to junction with Victoria Road), Tel:+44 1285 653-760, [7]. About £100 for a double.
