What’s On at Corinium Museum including Heritage Open Days
Discover a packed September at Corinium Museum in Cirencester, with free Heritage Open Days, fascinating walks and talks, cinema, exhibitions and special events
From exploring Roman Cirencester and discovering the story of Salmonsbury Camp to an atmospheric autumn sound bath and a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum stores, there’s plenty to discover throughout September 2026.
Heritage Open Day: Curator Tour of the Salmonsbury Camp Exhibition
Fri 11 Sep 2026, 10.30am – 11am & 2.30pm – 3pm
Free
Enjoy a free special curator tour of the Salmonsbury exhibition, the culmination of a year-long project bringing together art and archaeology through a collaboration between artists, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Corinium Museum.
The exhibition combines artworks created in response to Salmonsbury Camp and its archaeology with artefacts from the museum archive. Places on the curator tours are limited and advance booking is recommended.
Heritage Open Day: Free Taster of the Medieval Cirencester Town Walk
Fri 11 Sep 2026, 11.15am – 11.45am
Free
Discover monks, merchants and mud on this free introduction to medieval Cirencester. Learn how the highly prized fleeces of Cotswold sheep helped create fortunes, build the parish church and support the town’s hospital, markets, inns and shops.
Heritage Open Day: Free Illuminated Initials Craft
Sat 12 Sep 2026, 10am – 4pm
Free
Head into the Winstone Learning Centre and create an illuminated initial inspired by those used by medieval monks at Cirencester’s Augustinian Abbey. Choose your own initial or one belonging to a friend, family member or even a pet and get creative with colour.
There’s no need to book and discounted museum entry is available for participants who would also like to explore the museum.
Walking Roman Cirencester
Sat 12 Sep & Mon 21 Sep 2026, 10.15am – 1.45pm
£30 – £33
Join archaeologist Dr Alison Grierson-Brookes, former Head of Collections at Corinium Museum, for a fascinating exploration of Roman Cirencester.
The half-day experience includes a two-hour leisurely walking tour exploring the ancient town of Corinium, sections of its walls and impressive amphitheatre, followed by refreshments, museum entry and a guided tour of the award-winning Roman galleries.
Places are limited and booking is recommended.
From Birmingham to Byzantium to the Cotswolds
Thu 17 Sep 2026, 7pm – 8.30pm
£9 – £10
Join Kirsty Hartsiotis for an evening lecture exploring the lives and work of Ernest and Sidney Barnsley, two of the Cotswolds’ greatest Arts and Crafts architects.
Marking the centenary of the brothers’ deaths, the talk follows their journeys from Birmingham and travels overseas to their eventual settlement in the Cotswolds, exploring their architecture, furniture, lives in Sapperton and lasting creative legacy.
Abundance: An Autumn Sound Bath
Fri 18 Sep 2026, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
£20
Experience the museum in a very different way as Prana Sanctuary presents an immersive autumn sound bath in the Hare Gallery.
Crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, Feng gongs, tongue drum and found sounds will create an evolving soundscape, accompanied by a spoken meditation reflecting on harvest, release, rest and renewal.
The experience is suitable for ages 12+ and no previous experience is necessary.
Corinium Afternoons: Salmonsbury
Thu 24 Sep 2026, 2pm – 3pm
£10
Discover the fascinating history of Salmonsbury Camp at Bourton-on-the-Water, where evidence spans thousands of years from the Neolithic and Bronze Age through the Iron Age, Roman occupation and Early Medieval period.
The talk forms part of the Salmonsbury Moot Project, a year-long collaboration combining archaeology, art and the natural landscape.
Cirencester in the Civil War Town Walk
Fri 25 Sep 2026, 11am – 12.15pm
£9 – £10
Join Ian Thomas for a walk through Cirencester and discover the story of the ‘storming of Cirencester’ in 1643.
The walk explores the town centre, Abbey Grounds and Cirencester Park while revealing the significance of the town during the English Civil War. Places are limited to 10 people and booking is recommended.
Rural Cinema: H is for Hawk
Sat 26 Sep 2026, 2pm – 4pm
£8 – £9
Corinium Museum’s Rural Cinema presents H is for Hawk, starring Claire Foy, Brendan Gleeson, Denise Gough and Lindsay Duncan.
Following the sudden death of her father, Helen turns to the ancient art of falconry and begins training a wild goshawk named Mabel, beginning an intimate journey through grief, resilience and healing.
Certificate 12. Running time 114 minutes.
Tour of the Stores
Wed 30 Sep 2026, 11am – 12pm
£9 – £10
Go behind the scenes with Corinium Museum’s collections team and discover some of the thousands of objects normally hidden away in the museum stores.
From prehistoric finds and Roman mosaics to medieval tiles, costume, pottery, rural history, stone coffins, smocks and even hoovers, the stores are packed with surprising objects and fascinating Cotswold stories.
Movement at the Museum
Mondays, 9.30am – 11am & 11am – 12.30pm
Enjoy gentle movement in the surroundings of Corinium Museum with a blend of low-impact fitness and Tai Chi led by a qualified instructor.
The sessions include mindful movement, balance and strength support, relaxation and optional chair-based exercise, making them ideal for anyone looking to start or return to exercise. Contact the museum for further details.
Salmonsbury: An Exhibition of Art and Archaeology
Thu 10 Sep – Sun 11 Oct 2026
Free
This special exhibition brings together art and archaeology following a year-long collaboration between artists, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Corinium Museum.
Featuring work by Amanda Steer, Andy Freedman, Caroline Morris, Ffin Coffin Price, Ruth Broadbent and Zoe Ashbrook, the exhibition explores Salmonsbury Camp through contemporary artistic responses alongside archaeological material from the museum archive.
> Discover September Events at Corinium Museum
Explore Gloucestershire
21 August 2026
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