Heritage Open Cirencester, hosted by Cirencester Civic Society, took place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September 2026. More than 20 venues across Cirencester opened their doors free of charge, giving members of the public the opportunity to explore the town’s rich history and heritage through guided tours and walks, exhibitions, special events and activities. The event commenced with a drinks reception for all involved where speakers included Lord Bathurst and Charlotte Wright, a representative from the national Heritage Open week team.
With thanks to members of the Cirencester Camera Club and all the venues for the following photographs.
Ivy Lodge Cirencester Park (1)
Showcasing the sensitive restoration of this 18th-century castellated folly, Ivy Lodge was originally built for the first Earl of Bathurst. Nestled in the prestigious Cirencester Park, the lodge now operates as a private event venue and features a beautiful barn with rustic timbers and a castle-like facade, surrounded by quintessentially English parkland with ancient oaks.
St John Baptist Church Market Place (2)
Guided tours of the Grade I Listed St John Baptist Church. The church reflects some of the most significant events of Cirencester history having evolved over forty-five generations of craftsmen and townsfolk. It also contains some rare treasures, such as Anne Boleyn’s communion cup.
The Salvation Army, Temperance Hall, Thomas St (3)
Exploration of the historic Temperance Hall, built in 1846, which had many uses including a cinema until the Salvation Army officially acquired the building in 1975. Following extensive renovations, they permanently opened it as their official Citadel and place of worship in 1977.
The Old Station House, Sheep St (5)
Mid-restoration tour of the 1841 Brunel railway station courtesey of the owner Jonathan Rixon. Visitors toured the renovations, guided by Jonathan himself, examining the vaulted ceilings, the original timbers and the hidden boardroom [known on some drawings as the billiards room!] where Brunel once met clients.
Cirencester Park (6)
Two themed guided tours of the park explored restoration and sustainability, with the park’s role during the Second World War. The first highlighted current sustainability and restoration work across the park, including the recent renovation of the Old Kennels to create a new hospitality area. The second explored the important role Cirencester Park played during the Second World War, when a large section of the park was used as a major U.S. Army field hospital complex.
The Bingham Gallery Dyer St (9)
Visitors explored the contemporary ‘WATER’ exhibition alongside photographs from the Daniel Bingham archive. Cirencester is a nature sensitive town, taking great pride in the value of green spaces. Having an awareness and understanding of water is a vital part of this environmental vision. Curated by Cirencester based artist Laurie Plant, the artworks in this exhibition invited us to consider how and why water is a key part of our lives, on a local as well as on a global scale.The exhibition contains work by contemporary artists who have a connection with Cirencester, alongside pieces from the Daniel Bingham Foundation permanent collection, to spark ideas between generations past and present.
Corinium Museum Park St (7)
Short Medieval history taster walk AND free sessions to learn how medieval monks created drawings of animals and monsters. Explore the light and modern galleries that offer you an exceptional interactive experience. Discover thousands of objects on display, from Prehistoric tools, Roman mosaics, Anglo Saxon grave goods to Medieval sculpture and the recent Salmonsbury collaboration.
Organ recital Parish Church (2)
Church organist Thomas uncovered the history and sounds of the Willis/Harrison & Harrison organ whilst giving a recital. Henry Willis built an organ for the church in 1895, retaining the imposing organ case by George Gilbert Scott. The instrument was much rebuilt over the years and, by the end of the twentieth century had become unreliable so in 2009 Harrison & Harrison built a new organ, retaining the Scott case and incorporating some 30 original surviving Willis stops.
Cirencester Open Air Pool (8)
Exhibition of the historic spring-water open-air pool. Bordering Cirencester Park, the open air pool has been inviting visitors to its warm spring-sourced waters since 1870. A Cotswold tourist attraction that visitors are amazed to find, it offers a unique blend of history, charm, and community spirit. Run entirely by volunteers as a registered charity, they take great pride in preserving this cherished community space for all to enjoy
Bingham House Tour (9)
Exclusive architectural tour of the building. This beautiful building on Dyer Street was commissioned and paid for by the town’s benefactor Daniel George Bingham. He was a successful business entrepreneur, amassing a personal fortune which he used to the benefit of his ‘dear old native town’. It was described as a “noble gift” as Bingham’s intention was to provide “a place to study for recreation and for reasonable amusement”. The building was designed by V.A. Lawson, and the facilities included lending and reference libraries with a reading room on the ground floor and a gymnasium. The lecture room on the first floor could seat 200 people. The grand staircase has hand made tiles on the walls and daylight come through the Dutch stained glass windows. The reading room is now a gallery, showing both paintings from the collection built up over the years and modern works.
St John’s Hospital Chantry, Spitalgate Lane (12)
Historic 12th-century stone nave arches and medieval roof timbers. Visitors examined the intact stone nave and timber roof structure commissioned in the 12th Century. Established as a medieval hospital and chantry chapel where prayers were offered for the royal soul.
Appropriated by St Mary’s Abbey around 1320–1348. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, control eventually returned by 1609 to the people of Cirencester. The older, ruined medieval lodging blocks were pulled down in the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving the notable Grade I listed 12th-century transitional arcade fragment of the hall/chapel standing on Spitalgate Lane.
Cotswold District Council, Trinity Rd (20)
Viewing of the Cotswold District Council Chamber which hosts public meetings, including full council sessions, cabinet meetings, and planning committees. District councils are local leaders whose priorities are shaped by the understanding of and engagement with local communities, including environmental health issues such as food safety and noise pollution, as well as leisure facilities, including parks and open spaces, and culture.
Cirencester Lock-Up, Trinity Rd (20)
Built in 1804 to hold local troublemakers and moved to its current site to become part of the workhouse. The Cirencester Lock-up was originally located in Gloucester Street to hold vagrants, and drunks, but in 1837 was dismantled stone-by-stone and moved to its current site to serve as a punishment facility. It was restored by the Cotswold District Council in the 1980s.
Friends Meeting House (Quakers) Thomas St (10)
Tour of the 1673 Grade II Listed Meeting House and ‘quiet’ garden. Included a video about Cirencester’s oldest domestic building (mid-15C) Weavers Hall opposite. Virtual Visitor Experience video shown of the nearby in Friends Meeting House. “Weavers’ Hall or St Thomas’s Hospital: five centuries of history in Cirencester” describes the historic features of the building and its wider significance over time.
Corinium Ales, the Old Kennels (11)
Tour of the local microbrewery to see where craft beer is made by the award-winning team. Corinium Ales is a microbrewery located at The Old Kennels, an area of renovated buildings that nestled in the historic Cirencester Park. Here they brew a range of beers and for heritage open hosted an open brewery tour to see where and how the brewing magic happens inside the listed stone buildings.
Cirencester Amphitheatre, Cotswold Avenue (13)
Guided walk around the massive earthwork remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain. Exploration of the earthwork remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain and visitors learnt about its history and the part it played in the culture and lives of the people of Roman Cirencester.
Cirencester Band, Bingham House (18)
Drop-in to view musical heritage and memorabilia in the Band Room. Cirencester Band is a community brass band that brings together musicians of all ages and abilities. Playing for the love of music, friendship and fun! Founded in 1919, the band has been part of the town’s musical life for over a century. United by a love of music, friendship, and fun, the band aims to entertain and connect with audiences through performances in the local community throughout the year, particularly in the Abbey Grounds.
Watermoor Point, Watermoor Rd (19)
Tour of distinctive1980’s Mitsubishi headquarters, now a creative business hub
Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane (14)
Costumes, songs, cake, video, photos and interactive presentations exploring 375 years of Cirencester Baptist Church and the story of churches in our town.
St James’s, Tetbury Rd (15)
Rare access to the wealth management firm’s rooftop for panoramic views of the town and Parish Church.
The Hare Trail (16)
Short guided walk to 4 of the Hares tracing how Hare statues link to the town’s heritage. The Hare Trail’s walking route is designed to showcase Cirencester’s green spaces, heritage and creativity, and links key locations including the Amphitheatre, Abbey Grounds, St Michael’s Park and Four Acre Field. The newest installed hare sculpture, by local artist Mike Smith, is sited in West Market Place and is known as Horace the Hare. Sponsored by Cirencester Civic Society, it provides a focal point for the route and reflects the collaborative effort behind the project promoting tourism, community participation and pride in Cirencester’s distinct character.
The Barn Theatre (17)
Historic film showcase introduced by archivist, Robert Heaven, featuring Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the town in 1963 alongside residents’ work and social life over the years. A VIP drinks recepetion was held before the event to thank Robert for his contribution to the evening. The Barn Theatre in Cirencester is one of the UK’s most exciting destinations for great British theatre. Since opening in 2018, The Barn has rapidly established itself as a bold, ambitious producing house, creating world-class professional theatre.
Cirencester Band, bandstand Abbey Grounds (18)
Traditional live brass band music performance in the historic Abbey Grounds.
Bingham Hall, King St (4)
Discovering the history and heritage of this event space. In 1905 Daniel Bingham purchased a parcel of land in Watermoor with the intention, as expressed in a Trust Deed drawn up in 1907, to ‘construct thereon a Hall and Rifle Range for the benefit of the inhabitants… and the erection on the said piece of land of sundry Villas and Cottages’ as a gift to the people of Cirencester. Bingham Hall was constructed in just over seven months and was formally opened by Mrs Jane Bingham on 14th October 1908.
