Cricklade Town Council

Its story goes back to Anglo-Saxon times when it served as a fortified burgh within Alfred the Great's network of defensive settlements against Viking invasion. That heritage is very much alive as you walk around town today. The High Street is lined with historic buildings that give the place real character, leading up to St Sampson's Church, whose tall tower has been a recognizable landmark for centuries. If you're keen on walking, the Thames Path long-distance trail passes straight through town, offering pleasant riverside walks where you'll often see local wildlife. Just outside Cricklade, the North Meadow National Nature Reserve is particularly worth visiting in late spring when the ancient floodplain meadow comes alive with snake's head fritillaries, a protected wildflower that's become something of a destination for visitors from across the region. The town itself maintains an authentic working character, with independent shops, pubs, and cafes that give it a genuine local feel rather than a polished tourist atmosphere. Its location makes it useful as a base too—the market town of Cirencester is to the north and Swindon to the southeast, both easily reached if you want to explore further afield.