Parish Church of St John the Baptist Cirencester

The 15th century Parish Church of St John the Baptist (the so-called “Cathedral of the Cotswolds”) dominates the picturesque Market Place in the heart of Cirencester.

“Cathedral of the Cotswolds”

History

The earliest part of the church is the Norman chancel which dates from 1115.

The mighty church tower is supported by magnificent flying buttresses which were added later when it was discovered the church had been built over a filled-in ditch. The nave was completely rebuilt in the early 16th century between 1515 and 1530.

Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Cirencester

The wine glass-shaped pulpit is one of the few to have survived the Reformation.

The Anne Boleyn Cup, a silver goblet is on display inside the church. It was given by Queen Anne Boleyn (the second wife of King Henry VIII) to the physician Dr. Richard Masters, in gratitude for his care of Anne Boleyn’s daughter, the future Elizabeth I.

The church rises above the surrounding housing

Access – Getting There

Parish Church of St John the Baptist
Market Place
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 2BQ
UK
Tel: 01285 654 552

Interior of the church

Cirencester is 130 km (80 miles) northwest of London. It is the largest town in the Cotswolds.

Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, and Swindon have bus connections to Cirencester. Kemble railway station is the nearest rail link, 6 km distant.

Other attractions in the town include the Corinium Museum and several good pubs. These include The Crown and The Golden Cross Inn.

Visitors to the town can also visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Wall.

Accommodation

There are several good places to stay here. Choose from the four-star Kings Head Hotel on Market Place, the Corinium Hotel & Restaurant on Gloucester Street, three stars, or the Eliot Arms.

See here for a listing of places to stay in Cirencester.