Home > Attractions > Gloucestershire > Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

One of the largest Roman amphitheatre sites in Britain, with seating for over 8000 spectators. We do not know for certain what events took place in the amphitheatre, but records from elsewhere in the Roman Empire suggest that blood sports such as bear, dog, and bull baiting were common, as were public executions and gladiatorial contests.

The amphitheatre was constructed in the late 1st or early 2nd century, at a time when the Roman Corinium (modern Cirencester) was the second largest and most important city in Britain after London. The site chosen was just outside the Roman city walls, on the site of a quarry.

The amphitheatre is built of two curving earth banks overlooking a central performance area. The earth banks were reinforced with dry stone walls and timber planks supporting wooden seats. Beyond this was a standing area for spectators.

After the departure of the Romans the amphitheatre was fortified against ultimately successful incursions by the Saxons. In the 18th century the area was used for bull baiting, which gave rise to the local name of 'The Bull Ring'.

The area is grassed over, and, despite the overall size of the site there are few obvious remains of the original amphitheatre beyond the shape and size of the earthen banks.
Cotswold Avenue, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England

About Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre
Attraction Type: Roman
Location: Behind the hospital. Access off Cotswold Avenue or Chesterton Lane. Signposted from the Cirencester Bypass road (A419). Poorly signposted from Cotswold Avenue! Parking along the roadside. Open access.
Website: Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre
English Heritage
Location map
OS SP020013
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Cirencester, St John the Baptist - 0.5 miles (Church) Corinium Museum - 0.5 miles (Museum) Cerney House Gardens - 4 miles (Garden) Barnsley House Garden - 4.1 miles (Garden) Rodmarton Manor - 5.3 miles (Historic House) Rendcomb, St Peter - 5.3 miles (Church) Windmill Tump - 6 miles (Prehistoric) Trull House - 6.5 miles (Garden)

Nearest Towns and Villages Cirencester - 1.2 miles away Ampney Crucis - 2.8 miles away Ampney St Mary - 4.1 miles away Chedworth - 6.3 miles away Bibury - 6.7 miles away Elkstone - 7.6 miles away Chalford - 7.6 miles away Quenington - 7.9 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Cotswold Lake Lodge - 3.7 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre South Cerney, Gloucestershire Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £420

Little End - 6.9 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre St Chloe, Gloucestershire Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £525

Bank Cottage - 10.1 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Northleach, Gloucestershire Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £225

More Self Catering near Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Nearest Hotels

The Fleece Hotel - 0.5 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Cirencester, Gloucestershire Stay from: £44.00

Riverside - 0.6 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Cirencester, Gloucestershire Stay from: £32.50

Riverside House - 0.6 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Cirencester, Gloucestershire Stay from: £40.00

More Hotels near Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Old Brewhouse - 0.6 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Cirencester, Gloucestershire From: £50.00

Riverside - 0.6 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Cirencester, Gloucestershire From: £32.50

The Ragged Cot - 7.8 miles from Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire From: £110.00

More bed and breakfasts near Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Cirencester
Visitor Information Centre
Corinium Museum
Park Street
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
England
GL7 2BX
Tel: 01285 655 611
Email: cirencestervic@cotswold.gov.uk
Web: http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/
Map