The Best Guide for Things to Do in Gloucestershire

Event Search

Places Search

Things to do in the Cotswolds days out in Gloucestershire whats on in Bourton-on-the-Water

Explore Home > Regions of Gloucestershire > Explore the Cotswolds > Cotswold Towns & Villages

Places Search

Event Search

Cirencester

Get More from Explore!

Staying int he Cotswolds hotels in Gloucestershire accommodation

Follow Explore Gloucestershire on Facebook

Follow Explore Gloucestershire on Twitter

Cirencester is often referred to as the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds‘.

The name derives from the River Churn on which the town was built. It was mentioned by the Greek writer Ptolemy in 150 A.D as Korinion. In Roman times Cirencester was known as Corinium and became the second largest city in Britain after Londinium (London). Even then it played an important role in the wool trade which continued over the ages in the towns markets. Craft and food markets are still a popular attraction for the town.

Church of St John the Baptist situated in the centre of Cirencester

The impressive Church of St John the Baptist commands one of the focal points of the town centre. It is renowned for its perpendicular porch, fan vaults and merchants tombs, with its oldest part dating back to 1115. Cirencester is also home to the Royal Agricultural University which was founded in 1840, and the oldest agricultural college in the English speaking world. A visit to the Corinium Museum will give visitors an insight into the towns Roman past.

 Cirencester is a busy centre for tourism in the Cotswolds with great shopping and dining facilities. Roman remains can be seen at nearby including a Roam Villa at Chedworth.