Hotels in Cirencester

Definitely! Cirencester is often called the "Capital of the Cotswolds" – and for good reason. It blends gorgeous Cotswold scenery with Roman history, independent shops and lovely green spaces. Whether you're popping by for a relaxed weekend or stopping off during a wider Cotswolds trip, Cirencester offers a great mix of culture and character.  

Cirencester is best known for its Roman heritage. Once called Corinium Dobunnorum, it was the second-largest town in Roman Britain. Today, you can still visit sites like the Roman amphitheatre and the Corinium Museum, which houses some amazing Roman artifacts. The town is also famous for its beautiful St. John the Baptist Church, one of the largest parish churches in England, and for being a gateway to the stunning Cotswolds countryside. 

Arlington Row in Bibury often takes the crown as the prettiest and most photographed street in the Cotswolds. This row of 17th-century weavers’ cottages, with their stone walls, steeply pitched roofs and flower-fringed gardens, sits beside the River Coln and looks like something straight out of a fairytale. It’s especially pretty in spring and summer when everything is in full bloom, or in autumn when the leaves start to turn. Other contenders for “prettiest street” include The Shambles in Tetbury, Sheep Street in Stow-on-the-Wold and High Street in Chipping Campden. 

Cirencester isn’t necessarily a big town, but it’s one of the larger and more vibrant market towns in the Cotswolds. It has a great balance – big enough to offer lots of things to see and do, but small enough to be walkable. You’ll find independent shops, a lovely park, historic sites and plenty of places to eat and drink.