Enjoy a day out in Cirencester and visit some of the following highlights of the town, including ...

St. Michael's Park, King Street

The Park was created by the Town Council in the 1980's and is a gem of a facility, which lies within walking distance of the town centre. The Park has been designed to provide a range of facilities for all ages, including an adventure play ground, tennis courts, mini golf, croquet and boules.    A barbecue is also available for hire.

The fees for the use of the facilities in 2012/13 are as follows, but please note that there are special offers available over the spring and summer - click here to view our offers: -

Tennis - £4.20 Per hour
Tennis - £2.60 Per hour (Children and Concessionary) 
Floodlit Tennis - £8.40 Per hour
Croquet - £4.20 Per game
Golf (Adults) - £1.70 Per game
Golf (Children & Concessionary) - .85 Per game
Golf (Family Ticket – 2 Adults & 3 Children) - £3.30 Per game
Barbecue (inc. charcoal) - £8.00 
Petanque/Boules - £4.20 Per game
Health & Fitness Sessions (use of open space - daily rate)
- Community £35.00
- Commercial £50.00

The Park is also available for community and corporate bookings.

The Park is open daily from 9.00 a.m., except in inclement weather conditions and no dogs, except guide dogs, are permitted.

Please contact the Council's Customer Information Point if you would like further information or to book the facilities.

Abbey Grounds, just off the Market Place

The grounds contain the site of St Mary’s Abbey which was consecrated in 1176 in the presence of Henry 11, remaining until the Dissolution in 1539 when the Abbey was completely demolished. The only remaining building is the Norman Arch situated at the north-eastern corner of the grounds.

Originally, apart from the abbey buildings of church, cloisters and various residences for the Abbot, canons and lay brothers there were 2 sets of farm buildings in the bounds now marked by the far side of the lake (the former trout lake for the abbey), Dollar Street and Spitalgate Lane. The rest of the grounds were used as gardens and to grow food for the abbey.

Until 1963 some of the old farm and abbey buildings were still present, but these were removed to make way for the housing seen today.

The open grounds, lake, wildfowl, trees and greenery form an impressive pastoral centrepiece, inviting restful contemplation of the general town scene. A portion of ancient Roman Wall is also situated in the grounds.

The bandstand in the grounds was completed in 1999 as a millennium project and band performances take place throughout the summer. 

Corinium Museum, Park Street

Leave the 21st century behind you and discover the treasures of the Cotswolds as you explore its history at the multi award winning Corinium Museum. Home to one of the largest collections of Romano-British antiquities extensively from Roman Britain's second largest city Corinium.

You can also admire the work of Prehistoric metal smiths. Experience life as a Roman. Marvel at the stunning Roman mosaics as you take a peek through the window of a Roman town house. Come face to face with the Anglo Saxons and their buried treasures. Be amazed by the Medieval Sculpture and Civil War coin hoards and experience the elegance of Georgian Cirencester.

The Corinium Museum is an inspiring and interactive experience for everyone with hands on activities which bring history to life.

The museum is fully accessible with a Cafe attached which serves morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.

There is a lovely Gift Shop on site which sells a wide range of products inspired by the Museums collections and the Cotswolds and priced to suit all pockets. Corinium Museum is also home to the Cirencester Visitor Information Centre where you can get tickets for local events and coach tours, book accommodation and find information on local attractions, activities and transport.

Opening hours of Corinium Museum:

April to October (inclusively): Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sundays 2:00pm to 5:00pm                

November to March (inclusively): Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sundays 2:00pm to 4:00pm Monday

Closed 23rd to 26th December and 1st January

For more information and admission prices visit the museum website http://coriniummuseum.cotswold.gov.uk

New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court

New Brewery Arts is a dynamic, contemporary regional centre for the arts and crafts in Cirencester.  It is a home to a gallery, 18 resident makers, large craft gallery shop, the New Brewery Arts Cafe, a delightful theatre space and four education studios hosting a multitude of art and craft courses and workshops for adults and children.

Corn Hall, Market Place

The beautifully refurbished Corn Hall and Corn Hall Arcade are now fully open.

Weekly events taking place during the day in the Corn Hall, include:

Wednesdays - Home & Garden Bazaar (fashion, jewellery, rugs, plants and other home accessories)

Thursdays - Food and Drink Market (fresh meat, fish, fruit & veg, chutney, oils & plants)

Fridays - Antiques and Collectables Market

If you would like to be part of any of the above please contact Augusta Wreay on 07970859703 or 01285 740641.

Roman Amphitheatre, Cotswold Avenue

West of the town, and now separated from it by the ring road, are the fine remains of the Roman Amphitheatre. This is one of the best preserved in Britain - the large oval arena with its twin entrances and sloping earthen banks is plainly visible amongst the disturbed landscape of the Querns area which used as a stone quarry throughout the Roman and later periods.

Sports and other mass entertainments were held in the amphitheatre, which was built early in the 2nd century as part of a grand scheme of Roman town planning. At its best it was decorated in imported marble and marble-effect plasterwork, handsome stone gateways and stone stairways. The seating is thought to have probably been wood.

After the Roman period it was variously used as a defended campsite, an area for quartering armies, a king’s temporary palace; the stone was recycled as with most of the building materials in the old Roman town. Locally it is still often referred to as the Bull Ring which may indicate a later use still.

New efforts are being made to once again use the theatre for gatherings and performances.

The amphitheatre is best approached from Sheep Street and Querns Hill into Cotswold Avenue. A leaflet and map are available from the Corinium Museum.

Try out our new trial of a mobile phone based audio tour at the Roman Amphitheatre by clicking on this link.

Cirencester’s Amphitheatre is one of the best in England but is not very well known. 'Our Future Cirencester' Community Plan group members have worked with local people, authorities and agencies such as English Heritage, Gloucestershire County Council and Natural England to seek a means of increasing accessibility to the Amphitheatre.

Our consultations have shown that local people feel that there is not enough information that is easily accessible about the historic significance of the Amphitheatre and Cirencester.  Signs have been put up in the past but they have been vandalised.  We are therefore seeking another way of giving visitors to our town information about its rich heritage.

We are working with local firms Xor Systems and Bremner & Orr Design Consultants Ltd. to pilot this mobile phone based audio tour that enables people to gain free access to high quality information about sites of interest.