Location: Cirencester
Top Things to do in Cirencester
Top Restaurants in Cirencester
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What to do and see in Cirencester, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Cirencester (/ˈsaɪrənsɛstər/ ( listen), occasionally /ˈsɪstər/ ( listen); see below for more variations) is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles (150 km) west northwest of London. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswold District. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural University, the oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world, founded in 1840. The town's Corinium Museum is well known for its extensive Roman collection. The Roman name for the town was Corinium, which is thought to have been associated with the ancient British tribe of the Dobunni, having the same root word as the River Churn. The earliest known reference to the town was by Ptolemy in AD 150.
Restaurants in Cirencester
1. Cotswold Driving Experiences - 4x4 Off Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Y3321DZsimonc
Visited as part of a varied group attending before a wedding that day. The event was professionally organised with good humour. Excellent pre-drive briefing with no information overload. Demonstration driving and tuition were both fantastic with enthusiasm. It’s a great and unusual experience so thoroughly recommended. I quite fancy the rally car experience too.
2. The Bathurst Estate Cirencester Park
3. Cerney House Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By MERLION04 - Bristol, United Kingdom
A friend recommended that we should visit Cerney House Gardens, we were not disappointed. We liked the fact that we did not have to pre-book, there is an option to pre-pay by paypal via a link on the website or you can just pay cash on arrival, there is an Honesty Box for this. We weren't expecting to see much colour at this time of year, but there were lots of daffodils & hellebores in bloom. We started with the woodland walk, where we saw squirrels & pheasants, then spent some time wandering around the walled gardens, before sitting on one of the many seats that are dotted around the garden, to enjoy the sunshine & the lovely peaceful atmosphere. Completed our visit with a walk across the lawns at the front of the house that lead down to the pond. This is a lovely garden, we look forward to returning in the summer.
4. Rugrats and Half Pints Cirencester
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By MrsEtheridge
We have just visited since reopening due to Covid. Booking process easy. Temperature taken on arrival before entering the building, very easy to socially distance due to reduced capacity and plenty of tables to choose from. Hand sanitizer available on entrance and at the entrance to all play areas. Children seen using the hand sanitizer regularly. The play areas were clean and you can see that clear effort has been made. Sanitising wipes available for the baby changing units so you could clean before changing your little ones. We used the cafe, food hot and fresh and easy to order. The play areas are excellent, separate areas depending an age/ability, trampoline area, and go kart area by far the best soft play we have been too and a lot fun had by our little one!!
5. Elemental Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, The Elemental Sculpture Park features the work of many talented sculptors through a woodland trail and an on site tea room.
Reviewed By ShaunG127 - South Cerney, United Kingdom
This is place is now becoming a regular for us to bring friends, there are hundreds of sculptures set in lovely parkland and wood settings. Most are available to buy. Well worth a visit to spend a couple of hours walking around enjoying the sites, as well as a visit to the great little tearoom.
6. Cirencester Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By 752spikec - Stamford, United Kingdom
There are bits of history to be seen but even if that’s not what you like this is a well laid out huge green area in the centre of town. Lovely lake, things for the kids to play on, a coffee van it’s got it all Stretch your legs and enjoy. Don’t forget the Norman arch
7. Cotswold Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Barbara1407 - Enfield, United Kingdom
Surprised that we didn't have to book in advance, maybe that was a reason for the place being so busy on a Wednesday in October! We have visited several Sculpture Parks in England so we do know what to expect - this one was well up to standard. The leaflet we were given listed over 150 sculptures, a handful had gone following their sale but still, probably still over 140 to see. The grounds were nice too. A great walk. The tea room sold very good home made cake and quite acceptable coffee. Picnics not allowed.
8. Rodmarton Manor
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Privately owned Manor House and Gardens. Important and unique Cotswold Arts and Craft building and contents. Outstanding early 20th century garden.
Reviewed By Sarahgid_
We had a very pleasant afternoon visiting this garden. Open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons 2 - 5 pm. There is no need to book in advance and everything appears “normal”. No one way as there is so much space that one can easily socially distance. Toilets available at the entrance. A lovely Arts and Crafts garden with a series of rooms. Lots of staddle stones and stone troughs, focal points, yew hedging and lime tree walks. An interesting short talk on the house and garden before entering the garden and guide book available for £5. Owners are looking to open house again sometime in August. Best to check their website. We really enjoyed our time here with plenty to see. Big field to park in so plenty of room to picnic next to car.
9. Cotswold Country Park & Beach
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 407 reviews
Located within the Cotswold Water Park, minutes from Cirencester, the Cotswold Country Park & Beach is a wonderful day out for all to enjoy. Wibit AquaVenture - The inflatable WaterPark - Jump, splash, slide and bounce on the greatest activity to hit the Cotswolds. Head to the soft sandy inland beach with lifeguarded lagoon all summer long. Enjoy lakeside walks, delicious food from Salads to fish & chips & stone baked pizzas to beachside burgers, cakes & ice creams or hire a BBQ pitch and enjoy a picnic. The lake offers fun for all from pedalos and rowing boats, electric Mini port boats. Paddle out on a kayak, SUP with single and tandems available. There are plenty of activities on-land too, from mini golf and adventure playgrounds to climbing walls and volley ball - The perfect day out for all, we offer great party packages and team building events too! Book online today and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Reviewed By 867annalisaj - Macclesfield, United Kingdom
We have been visiting the Cotswolds for years but this was our first visit to the Cotswolds country park and beach. We booked the Wibit Aquaventure for our 2 boys 11 and 14. I thought it was great value for money - we booked wetsuits as well which was worth doing as both boys were cold. They loved their time on the obstacle course and have already said they want to go back. Only downside was that they thought the changing rooms were smelly so they ended up coming outside to change. We had lunch in the cafe and though we had to wait a bit the pizzas were really good. We walked round the lake then our younger son decided to do the Head for Heights challenge. There were lots of other things to do such as boat hire and stand up paddle boarding. We will definitely visit again. Would have been even better if there was cycle hire available here as it would be nice to cycle round. Great to find somewhere that caters well for older children!
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