Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cirencester is a great town to visit and makes a delightful base for visitors wishing to explore the area. Its easy access to major road networks and mainline railway belies its charming and peaceful character.

Is Cirencester worth visiting?

Locals love that Cirencester is a hidden gem and that for a good two decades it's been upstaged by nearby Cheltenham, with its year-round parade of festivals. That's why, they say, Cirencester isn't trampled by tourist crowds and remains a genuinely traditional Cotswold market town.

What is Cirencester famous for?

Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswolds. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural University, the oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world, founded in 1840.

Is Cirencester nicer than Cheltenham?

Cheltenham is the larger of the two towns in terms of size and population. Cirencester is about 20-30 minutes away from Cheltenham and it is a smaller, quieter town. Both are equally nice, you will find that either should satisfy you!

What is the prettiest town in the Cotswolds?

Castle Combe is one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds. It's also been deemed “the prettiest town in England.” Peppered with slate-roofed, honey-hued cottages and featuring a 14^th-century market square, it's hard to beat the authenticity found in this adorable village.

The Poshest Place On Earth? | StreetSmart

36 related questions found

What is the biggest town in the Cotswolds?

Cirencester. Cirencester is a lively market town, the largest in the Cotswold district, and hence often referred to as 'The Capital of the Cotswolds'.

Is Burford worth visiting?

Is Burford worth visiting? Of course, Burford is absolutely worth visiting! The town, known as the gateway to The Cotswolds is often one of the first spots travellers head to when exploring this area of outstanding beauty. The town is home to some fantastic shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Is Cirencester nice place to live?

CIRENCESTER has been named as one of the happiest places to live in the UK. The Cotswold town has been placed in the top 20 in the new report by property website Rightmove. Northumbrian market town Hexham topped the list nationally.

Is Cirencester pretty?

They've then ranked each UK destination to bring you the ultimate list of picturesque and peaceful places to escape to in 2020 and beyond. Cirencester ranked in 8th place, with an overall score of 36.68, as a result of its 28 mountains and hills, 0 heritage spots and 15 beauty spots.

Where is the best place to live in the Cotswolds?

14 Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds to Live or Visit

• Burford. Situated in north Oxfordshire, twenty miles west of Oxford, Burford is considered the southern gateway to the Cotswolds. ...
• Cirencester. ...
• Castle Combe. ...
• Chipping Campden. ...
• Blockley. ...
• Stow-on-the-wold. ...
• Stanton. ...
• Tetbury.

What is around Cirencester?

Top Attractions in Cirencester

• Corinium Museum. 802. Speciality Museums. ...
• Parish Church of St John Baptist. 573. ...
• Cirencester Park. 189. ...
• Cerney House Gardens. 133. ...
• Cotswold Country Park & Beach. 469. ...
• Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool. Sports Complexes. ...
• Rodmarton Manor. Historic Sites • Gardens. ...
• Abbey Home Farm. Farms.

What is the Roman name for Cirencester?

The new centre, now known as Cirencester, was formally called Corinium Dobunnorum in Roman references.

How do locals pronounce Cirencester?

In Anglo-Saxon times the name of the town was written Cirrenceastre or Cyrneceastre (the Saxon 'c' was pronounced like the 'ch' in change). The Normans mispronounced the 'ch' sound as [ts], resulting in the modern name Cirencester /ˈsaɪərənsɛstər/.

What day is market day in Cirencester?

Cirencester's historic Charter Markets are held every Monday and Friday from 9am to 3pm. The markets feature an array of stalls which include the highest quality fresh food, plants, local produce, crafts, luxury items, quirky keepsakes and much more.

Can you walk in Oakley Wood Cirencester?

This guided walk will be mainly looking out for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Drab Looper but you can expect to see other butterfly and day-flying moth species. Meet at SO976046 in woodland layby at north end of Oakley Wood between Park Corner Farm and Daglingworth. The nearest postcode is GL7 7HX.

Where can I park for free in Cirencester?

Free parking Cirencester

Free all day parking is available on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays in the staff car parks serving Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, GL7 1PX and St James's Place, Hammond Way GL7 1FP (next to the Leisure Centre).

Is Cirencester rough?

Cirencester is among the top 10 most dangerous small towns in Gloucestershire, and is the 44th most dangerous overall out of Gloucestershire's 314 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Cirencester in 2020 was 51 crimes per 1,000 people.

Is Cheltenham safe at night?

Cheltenham is generally a place of safety in the evening. Depending on where you are staying, there are a lot of good restaurants/hotels in the Montpelier area - Monty's, Hotel Du Vin, Strada, Prezzo etc which should suffice.

Is Cheltenham a good place to live?

The beautiful Regency-style buildings make the town a delightful place to stay and shop. The wide range of stylish boutique shops and high street stores that are spread across the town centre attract both locals and foreigners making Cheltenham an excellent place to live.

What is the prettiest village in England?

Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England

Castle Combe has been called “the prettiest village in England” for a reason.

Is Broadway Cotswold worth visiting?

Broadway Tower sits high up on the Cotswold scarp overlooking the town and is a true delight to the landscape. ... It's the second highest point on the Cotswolds escarpment with really beautiful views, so it's definitely worth a visit.

Is the Cotswolds posh?

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas in the UK. However, Cotswolds is an expensive area to live in. The Cotswold boasts of some of the most recognized traditional English villages. ... The house prices in the Cotswold area has always been above the UK national average.

What is the capital of the Cotswolds?

Cirencester, known as the Capital of the Cotswolds, is a lovely market town with a fascinating history where you will receive a warm welcome. In Roman times, Cirencester, known as 'Corinium Dobunnorum', was the second largest town only to London.

Why is it called the Cotswolds?

Comes from the name of an Anglo-Saxon chieftain named Cod in the 12th century that owned high land or "wold"- hence "Cod's wold" and eventually became "Cotswold". The Cotswolds are sometimes known as "King Cod's land".