Corinium Dobunnorum

Archaeological Site Roman town (Corinium) near modern Cirencester

Corinium Dobunnorum, now Cirencester, preserves Roman baths, street plans and an archaeological museum; visitors arrive for Roman stonework, the Corinium Museum and walks through the old market town.

Main image

Corinium Dobunnorum is the Roman-era town located at the site of modern Cirencester in Gloucestershire, England. It served as an important urban centre and civitas capital in Roman Britain.

The settlement grew in the Roman period to become one of the largest towns in Britain outside of Londinium, with a planned street grid, public buildings and an amphitheatre. Surviving features and finds have been studied by archaeologists and displayed locally.

Excavations have revealed mosaics, stonework and artefacts that illustrate the town’s civic and domestic life under Roman rule. The area evolved into the medieval town of Cirencester after the end of Roman administration, preserving the continuity of settlement.

The site lies in the Cotswolds at the modern town of Cirencester, where Roman remains are integrated into the townscape and exhibited in the local Corinium Museum.

  • Roman capital: Was one of Roman Britain's largest towns and served as the civitas capital for the local Dobunni people under Roman administration.
  • Museum collection: Archaeological displays and finds from the site are on show in a dedicated local museum that houses mosaics, sculptures and everyday Roman objects.

What to See #

  • Town remains: Visible traces of the town plan of the Roman settlement, including parts of the defensive circuit and street layout in the modern town of Cirencester.
  • Local museum (Corinium Museum): A museum housing Roman-era finds from the site, including mosaics, stonework and everyday objects recovered from excavations.
  • Amphitheatre: An earthwork amphitheatre site on the outskirts of the Roman town, visible in the landscape and recorded in archaeological surveys.
Corinium Dobunnorum
Park Street, Cirencester GL7 2BX, United Kingdom
51.7148, -1.9630
Tue-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun 11:00am-4:00pm, closed Mondays
Adults ~£9, concessions ~£7, under-16s free (museum admission)

How to Get to Corinium Dobunnorum #

Cirencester is about 35 miles (56 km) west of central London by road. From London, take the M4/M5 westbound to the A417; regular coach services run from London Victoria to Cirencester. The nearest mainline rail station is Kemble (around 8 miles away) with bus connections; local buses and short taxi rides serve central Cirencester from the town car parks.

Tips for Visiting Corinium Dobunnorum #

  • Arrive midweek or early morning to see the mosaic gallery without buses of school groups.
  • Don't skip the Roman town model - it gives a valuable sense of circulation and scale that remains invisible in the surface ruins.
  • If interested in archaeology, contact the museum ahead to consult the archives or join a curator talk; special exhibitions rotate seasonally.

Best Time to Visit Corinium Dobunnorum #

Visit in spring or autumn for milder weather and smaller crowds in Cirencester; the museum is closed Mondays.

Shoulder seasons - quieter
Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 5-18°C
Fewer tourists in town and more comfortable walking weather for exploring the Roman street traces.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 12-22°C
Warmer, busier; local festivals and lively market stalls in Cirencester complement a museum visit.

Weather & Climate near Corinium Dobunnorum #

Climate

Corinium Dobunnorum's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (735 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 32 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyMayAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 21°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
18°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 77 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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