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Explore

the heart of the cotswolds

Cotswold Place is located on a quiet road within a minutes walk of the very heart of historic Cirencester and all of its varied facilities.

Close to town, there is lots of excellent country pub dining. We recommend trying places like The Bell at Sapperton, Wild Duck at Ewen, Trouble House Inn near Tetbury, Potting Shed at Kemble and the Village Pub Barnsley, all of which are within about 10 mins drive. For fine dining try Barnsley House, Calcot Manor or The Rectory.

Within half an hour are the widely varied attractions of the entire Cotswold region. The cities of Bath, Bristol & Cheltenham are all within one hours drive.

A car is not necessary if you are just enjoying the town, but is recommended to explore more of the Cotswold region. There is a direct London rail service 3 miles away served by taxi.

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the town

Cirencester – or for locals simply Ciren - lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswolds.

There is lots of varied shopping in the part-pedestrianised centre with its historic marketplace and the narrow back streets and alleys. Specialist stores and boutique shops vie for space with restaurants, local pubs and street cafes.

In Roman times, there was a thriving wool industry, and ruins of the Roman amphitheatre can still be visited. When a wall was erected in the 2nd century Corinium was, in area, the second-largest city in Britain.

A great abbey church was dedicated in 1176 but in the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, Henry VIII ordered its total demolition. Today only the Norman Arch and parts of the precinct wall remain above ground, forming the perimeter of the Abbey Fields. The tombs of medieval merchants can be seen in the magnificent parish church, while their fine houses of still stand around town.

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the area

Ciren lies close to the heart of the scenic Cotswold region with major attractions like Stow, Chipping Camden and Burford and bigger destinations like Bath and Cheltenham all within about 40 minutes drive.

Only slightly farther afield are Shakespeare's Stratford, Stonehenge, the magnificent Blenheim Palace, the Roman baths of Georgian Bath and the dreaming spires of Oxford.

But you don't always need 'destinations'. One of the delights of the Cotswolds is touring the picturesque country lanes and discovering picture postcard villages where the tourist buses never venture. Relax in the garden of the village cafe or by the fire in the historic pub. All our local recommendations and secrets are revealed in your cottage welcome guide.

Get away from it all with a hike on the Cotswold Way or take a short stroll in a local village. Join an equestrian trail ride or take a flutter on the racing at the Cheltenham Festival. Go fishing, play golf or rent a cycle. Being active is whatever you want and all are all available locally.

If getting out is more about exploring historic houses and gardens Rodmarton Manor just a few mile away from Ciren whilst William Morris's Kelmscott Manor, Chavenage House, Lydiard Park and Buscot House are all major sights within 30 minutes. Batsford and Westonbirt Arboretums are both near and excellent.

Want an 'Event'? There are literally hundreds but best are the most traditional - why not enjoy cheese-rolling, river football or the pig face day? Locally visit the Tetbury Woolsack Races late May-ish www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk. For a list of the most unusal (and usual) visit: www.cotswolds.info/strange-things 

Below is a very small selection of the more conventional bigger events (full listing at www.cotswolds.info): 

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