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Original poster

Cheltenham or Cirencester

27 replies

Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 21:41

DH and I are currently having a weekend away in the Cotswolds. We are staying in Stow on the Wold and have been to Bourton on Water, The Slaughters and Broadway today. We are contemplating Cheltenham or Cirencester tomorrow but can’t decide. Does anyone know the area and perhaps can give me their opinion? Or happy to hear other suggestions.
Thanks

OP posts:
Bopcorn · 20/05/2023 21:46

What sort of things do you enjoy doing?

Original poster
Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 21:49

We love browsing around little independent shops, walking, lovely gardens, pretty villages. Can you tell we are in our 60’s!!

OP posts:
SiobahnRoy · 20/05/2023 21:49

Cheltenham

Movingtodevon · 20/05/2023 21:51

Cheltenham is better for shopping in ‘big’ shops. Personally I prefer Cirencester. Lots of lovely cafes and independent shops to potter around. Although thinking about it, I think we went to Cirencester on a Sunday before and quite a lot of shops were closed so maybe Cheltenham is a safer bet!

Temporaryname158 · 20/05/2023 21:52

Cirencester has some nice shops (not loads) but a beautiful park and if you fancy it, a lido!

Whichnumbers · 20/05/2023 21:52

Can you do both?

I love Cirencester, a walk through the estate and then A coffee on Black Jack street. Lots of small shops in Cirencester and then onto Burford?

Whichnumbers · 20/05/2023 21:53

Lido is good, is it open yet?

astarielle · 20/05/2023 21:54

Could do both to be honest they are only about a half hour apart. Depends what sort of thing you like:

Cirencester if you like classic Cotswold buildings, but not much else going on. It's quaint, pretty, don't know if it's a whole day trip though.

Cheltenham if you like a bit of shopping and nice places to eat. I'd choose Cheltenham between the two, nice regency architecture and plenty to keep you busy. Couple of nice parks and gardens.

Maybe Cheltenham in the morning and then lunch, walk around Cirencester in the afternoon? The drive is fairly picturesque.

EversoDisorganised · 20/05/2023 22:01

Cirencester is lovely but I imagine its fairly quiet on Sundays, I never go them and possibly many of the shops won't be open. However lots of nice quirky shops even just for window shopping and independent cafes (my favourite is Keith's on Black Jack St). I also like a mooch around the Roman amphitheatre (just groundworks, no entry fee just park and wander in) and the Abbey grounds. In fact I just looked at the council FB and there's a food festival there tomorrow.

Flufs · 20/05/2023 22:04

Cirencester. Then visit the bell at sapperton and walk

topcat2014 · 20/05/2023 22:04

Cirencester!! And I say that as a Cheltenham resident. Chelt shops are not what they were. Just the usual betting and phone shops with a John Lewis thrown in

Original poster
Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 22:20

Thanks so much everyone. I think we are going to go to Cirencester, it sounds right up our street! Looking forward to it.

The weather has been so good to us which I'm so pleased about. Really needed this weekend away.

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 20/05/2023 22:21

For what you want I would say Cirencester, and I live in Cheltenham.

Beebumble2 · 20/05/2023 22:26

If you’ve got time you’d probably enjoy Winchcombe, just outside Cheltenham. A lovely town, little shops, antique centre, a couple of nice pubs and Sudeley Castle.

Original poster
Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 22:32

EversoDisorganised · 20/05/2023 22:01

Cirencester is lovely but I imagine its fairly quiet on Sundays, I never go them and possibly many of the shops won't be open. However lots of nice quirky shops even just for window shopping and independent cafes (my favourite is Keith's on Black Jack St). I also like a mooch around the Roman amphitheatre (just groundworks, no entry fee just park and wander in) and the Abbey grounds. In fact I just looked at the council FB and there's a food festival there tomorrow.

Thanks so much. That's really helpful. Definitely off to Cirencester!

OP posts:
Original poster
Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 22:33

Beebumble2 · 20/05/2023 22:26

If you’ve got time you’d probably enjoy Winchcombe, just outside Cheltenham. A lovely town, little shops, antique centre, a couple of nice pubs and Sudeley Castle.

Ooooh thank you. We will definitely look that up.

OP posts:
MikeWozniaksMohawk · 20/05/2023 22:34

Cirencester for pottering around 100%

WithIcePlease · 20/05/2023 22:41

Cirencester has a food fair on today and tomorrow with lots of stalls extending into the park behind the Abbey. It'll be busy though if weather stays nice.

Original poster
Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 22:45

WithIcePlease · 20/05/2023 22:41

Cirencester has a food fair on today and tomorrow with lots of stalls extending into the park behind the Abbey. It'll be busy though if weather stays nice.

Thank you. Sounds right up our street!

OP posts:
WithIcePlease · 20/05/2023 22:47

And yes, Blackjack street v pretty - head up there from the market, up Cecilly Hill and into Bathurst Park - coffee van there and a relatively new coffee and food place higher up the park but from experience, lunch there will be fully booked

APurpleSquirrel · 20/05/2023 22:53

Can highly recommend the museum in Cirencester, it's open tomorrow 2-5pm - amazing mosaics.

LeafyGreenSummer · 20/05/2023 23:11

I know you’re going already, but definitely Cirencester. Make time to visit the Roman amphitheatre if you can. It’s free and open.

And this is a good car park

///dispose.denoting.mouse

This is the what3words address for a 3 metre square location near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

https://w3w.co/dispose.denoting.mouse

stickybear · 20/05/2023 23:25

I love Cirencester but a lot of the independent shops will be closed on a Sunday. Not all, and there should still be enough to keep you busy for a day, but just so you're aware. The high street shops will all be open and some of the indies. Cafes etc should be fine. Have a lovely day Smile

Original poster
Icequeen01 · 21/05/2023 18:36

Thank you so much everyone for all the info - including the What Three Words for the car park which was so helpful!

We had a fabulous day in Cirencester, it was everything we hoped. We walked around the town, the food fair, the museum and a lovely walk up Cecilly Hill to the beautiful park. We even took a peak at the Lido. I’m ashamed to say we didn’t get to the amphitheatre in the end but we are saving that for next time!

On the way home we drove through Bibury and just had to stop. Stunningly pretty.

We are on the motorway going home now feeling very sad to have to leave but DH and I will definitely be back.

Thank you all so much!

OP posts:
Chatillon · 21/05/2023 18:40

Icequeen01 · 20/05/2023 22:33

Ooooh thank you. We will definitely look that up.

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Sudeley Castle is amazing. Romantic with a picnic.

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