St Mary's Abbey

What you're looking at here is the layered story of two very different periods of settlement, with the remains of St Mary's Abbey standing alongside evidence of Roman occupation from when this was Corinium Dobunnorum, one of the most important towns in Roman Britain.

As you walk around, you can trace the abbey's foundations and get a real sense of how imposing the medieval structure must have been before much of it was demolished after the Reformation. Archaeologists have been gradually reconstructing what happened here over the centuries, and their work continues to reveal new details about the abbey's layout and purpose. What really makes this spot interesting, though, is finding those Roman layers underneath. Given how significant Cirencester was as a major Roman settlement, it makes sense that evidence of that civilization survives here too. You'll see excavated areas that show how Romans lived and worked on this exact location long before any medieval abbey was built.

It's a contemplative place to spend time, where you can really follow how different communities have shaped this corner of the landscape. You can examine the visible remains at your own pace and spot details that hint at earlier structures. Cirencester itself is just a short walk away, with its own Roman museum, market shops, and restaurants, making it easy to build a full day around exploring the town's different historical periods.