Cirencester: Roman Heritage & Medieval Charm

 

Cirencester is a vibrant market town steeped in history, offering a fascinating blend of Roman heritage and medieval charm. Once one of the largest towns in Roman Britain, Cirencester’s rich past is still evident today, with landmarks such as the Corinium Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of Roman artifacts in the country, and the town’s impressive St. John Baptist Church, with its towering Gothic architecture, dominates the bustling market square and serves as a reminder of Cirencester’s importance through the ages. From its founding in the early 12th century the church was extended and embellished over more than three centuries, culminating in a complete rebuilding of the nave in the 16th century. The south porch was built by Cirencester Abbey around 1480 and only connected to the church in the 18th century. Because of its size, grandeur and historical importance, the church is known, informally, as the Cathedral of the Cotswolds, and is constructed out of the local Cotswold stone, a yellowish limestone, now aged and weathered, that gives the building a rich, warm colour, especially when illuminated by the sun.

A short walk along the High Street is Cirencester's premier seafood restaurant, Henry's Seafood Bar & Grill, where we had made reservations for lunch. A modern British-led restaurant with a heavy seafood influence and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including Newlyn lobsters and delicious St Ives’ crab, Henry's was recently remodelled the 17th-century space and features a collection of modern art throughout the space as well as attractive new furniture including oak dining tables made by local tradesmen. Beginning with a glass of champagne, we started with the Cornish curried white crab and sublime Orkney Scallops that were coal roasted in their shell with oak smoked chilli and garlic butter and served on a bed of rocks, followed by entrées including Lobster Risotto with garlic butter tail, lobster oil pangrattato and fresh tarragon, as well a delicious perfectly cooked Whole Plaice with brown crab meuniere, samphire and semi cured tomatoes. A glorious day exploring Cirencester followed with a delicious lunch, we're already looking forward to being able to spend more time in this lovely town the next time we're in the Cotswolds.

The large three-storey south porch of The Church of St. John the Baptist was built about 1490 

Impressive Medieval fan vaulting in the south porch of the Church

Age old round door knocker

Built of Cotswold stone, the church is one of the largest parish churches in England

St Catherine's chapel dates from around 1150 and was extended in the 15th century

with exquisite fan vaulting

Fan Vaulting with the coat of arms of Edward III of England 

Memorial monument to George Monax who died in 1638, 

was a wool merchant and Sheriff of London under King Charles I

Medieval Trinity Chapel Stained Glass dates from 1430 to 1460

The chancel and attached chapel represent the oldest part of the Church

dating from the 12th century

The Coffee and Tea Van in the Market Square

The charming Cirencester High Street

Established in 1815, Walter Bull & Son sells sterling silver condiment caps 

that were so fabulous that we bought one for our HP Sauce

The Bear Inn, around the corner from Walter Bull & Son, is a piece of Cirencester history, 

dating back to the 18th century

The charming stone and timber interior 

The English are very dog friendly and embrace well behaved pooches on the premises

A pint of award-winning Butcombe Beer before lunch

Henry's Seafood Bar & Grill in Cirencester

The fashionable interior of Henry's with oak tables made from a local caftsmen

Henry's Drinks and Food Menu

Grand Réserve Premier Cru Champagne

View from the dining room through to the Bar

A new Lunch menu was launched the afternoon we dined at Henry's

Cornish Curried White Crab with Brown Butter Dripping Toast, Coriander & Cashew

Orkney Scallops Coal Roasted In-Shell with Oak Smoked Chilli & Garlic Butter,

served on a bed of rocks

Pinot Grigio

Lobster Risotto with Garlic Butter Tail, Lobster Oil Pangrattato and fresh Tarragon

Whole Plaice with Brown Crab Meuniere, Samphire and Semi Cured Tomatoes

Rocket Salad wth Courgette, Lemon and Pecorino

A Bunny with monocle is one of the modern pieces of art fund throughout the restaurant

Framed photos of many stars are part of the restaurant's gallery of art

www.henryscotswolds.co.uk