Cirencester Civic Society
Promoting, Protecting and Shaping our Town since 1966
Photo of our newly installed Moongazing Hare, courtesy of artist Mike Smith, which was named Horace in January 2026 following a majority vote from our members. The name Horace is derived from the Roman name of Horatius meaning ‘time’ or ‘season’.
The society are delighted to offer our MEMBERS unique event opportunities not open to others, including events such as a recent behind the scenes tour of the Barn Theatre, so why not join us for only £15/year or £20 for a family. During September ONLY we have a special 60th promotion for NEW members of 15 months for the price of 12.
Members Visit to the RAU Herbarium
Behind the scenes of the Barn Theatre
Heritage Open Days Weekend
As the Heritage Open Weekend ends we would like to thank all the organisors, the venue hosts, the volunteer stewards and most of all everyone who joined walks, tours, events and exhibitions that celebrated the wonderful heritage and history of Cirencester. Thank you.
All the events that took place can be seen here:
As we celebrate 60 years of the Civic Society and look to its future, the importance of our green and blue spaces – our parks, waterways and natural habitats – and the wildlife and biodiversity they support has never been greater. As custodians for future generations, it is essential that, as a Society, we value and champion these natural features of our town just as much as its built environment. Our talk on the 21st September will see one of our trustees, Steve Fearn, showcase how a seemingly ordinary small-town watering hole was discovered to support a remarkable variety of wildlife and activity through film captured at the site.
FREE to members Visitors welcome with a donation on the door. For details of our 2026 talks programme
New Town Walk Map
Pick up a copy of our new Town walk map for £1.50 from the Local Information office within Bingham House on Dyer Street or the Corinium Museum to find a self guided walking route through the historic streets of Cirencester
Members visit to the Old Station House
Tour of Bingham House and Gallery
Protecting and shaping the town through engagement with the local planning authorities
The society protects the distinctive character of our town with members using their professional skills to support and scrutinise the planning process, enabling the town to grow sympathetically and in tune with the local community.
Supporting local community groups and organisations with Civic Pride Grants
We award civic pride grants to organisations and community groups working hard to enhance the built environment, improve local facilities and protect the character of our town. As part of the renovation of the building, in 2008 the Civic Society contributed to the sculpture ‘A Celebration of Hands’ that sits on the wall of the New Brewery Arts.
Do you have a worthy nomination you could tell us about?
Photo courtesy of David Viner
Hosting Town Walks with our trained guides
Join us for a town walk of Cirencester hosted by our trained volunteer guides and hear about its 2000-year history from the Romans to the present day and some of the people involved.
Celebrating good design within the town through our Civic Design and Conservation Awards
Cirencester has some fantastic buildings; do you have a favourite? We celebrate thoughtful building design with our design awards, given to developments that meet a strict criterion of good practice.
In 2025 the Cirencester Civic Society design award was given to the sympathetic restoration of Dollar Street House after many years of neglect.
Alongside this we also acknowledge those that sympathetically restore interiors, structures and objects with our conservation award.
Awarding Blue and Purple Plaques to buildings for architectural contribution, historical importance or association with an individual.
The Civic Society began installing Blue plaques as a Millennium project in 1999, most of which give a brief description of the building and its historical importance, architectural contribution to the town or association with a well-known person. Recently seven purple-coloured plaques have been erected to mark significant sites in the town.
