Cirencester is a beautiful Cotswold town in every season, but summer is extra special. Think farm shops brimming with the freshest ripe fruit, wildflowers blooming in every meadow, long riverside sunset walks and evening dips.

Whether you’re visiting for a lovely long weekend or just passing through, discover my tried and tested list of activities for the ultimate Cirencester summer. Read on to explore each activity and find their rough locations on the map below to help plan your trip.

Before we dive in, if you’re looking for food and drink recommendations in Cirencester, you can also find my favourite coffee shops and restaurants by clicking each link!

1. Swim in Cirencester’s historic open air pool

First things first, it’s not summer if you haven’t experienced the joy of an outdoor swim. This incredible pool was first opened in 1870 on the edge of Cirencester Park and has been in almost constant operation for over 150 years.

Each year it opens from mid-May to mid-September and really marks the start of summer in the town. Entry is £6.50 per adult for one hour of swimming and you can book your session in advance here – try to join one of their sunrise or sunset swims if you can. There’s changing rooms, showers and seating on-site as well as a small tuck shop that often sells bacon rolls after the morning swim – does it get any better!?

It’s also worth noting, the pool is almost entirely volunteer run with all funds going towards keeping the facility open (bar the paid lifeguards) so it’s great to be able to support this local wonder.

2. Wander sunflower fields

Alongside many manicured parks, Cirencester also has a lesser known stretch of rows of sunflowers. These hidden gems are tucked away behind Harebushes, just beyond the edge of the woods where the open fields begin and the bright yellow flowers bloom in August and September.

The best bit is, as these flowers are just along main public walking routes, there’s no fee or entrance to see them – you can simply stroll through and enjoy them. For the best experience, I’d recommend visiting as the sun starts to set over the town and the flowers glow even brighter in the early evening light.

3. Paddleboard at Cotswold Water Park

To experience the closest thing to the beach in the heart of the Cotswolds, head to the water park. Across over 180 lakes you’ll find sandy shores, water sports and wildlife – from kayaking and paddleboarding to bird watching and walking, there’s something for everyone. You can find their full interactive map of activities here.

Plus, there’s plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can grab a bite to eat or even a cocktail to sip in the sun!

4. Walk to the source of the River Thames

You might not know that the source of the UK’s most famous river is also in Cirencester. Walking to the spring that feeds the historic river is a great summer activity as the paths are generally drier and easier to walk than in autumn and winter.

For shorter walks to the source, head to the small village of Kemble just 10 minutes drive or bus from Cirencester. Along the A429 just before you enter Kemble you’ll cross a small bridge with a lay-by where there’s room for a few cars to park and you can pick up the signs for the Thames Path directly to the source (map here). You could also head to the lovely Tavern Inn pub to have a great lunch and then walk over to the source. Each of these walks would take you around 40 minutes to reach the source and you’ll be able to follow signs or Google maps.

You can also walk from Cirencester town centre to the source by following the Monarch’s Way paths until you pick up the Thames Path signs. This will take 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how quickly you walk. You can find a good map of this on Komoot here – just note this route is to take you all the way to Tetbury, you could just stop at the Thames Head stone after 4.3 miles.

5. Stroll woodland paths in Bathurst Estate

For other stunning walks, head to the sprawling Bathurst Estate owned by the Bathurst family. With a day pass you can explore their 3,000 acres of woodlands and stroll their iconic tree-lined Broad Avenue that you can see above. This path runs straight from the entrance gates on Cecily Hill five miles to the end of the park in Sapperton. Walk a little bit further and you’ll find The Bell – a classic Cotswold pub perfect for Sunday lunch and a pint!

You can find their full estate map and other suggested walks here but you could easily spend a couple of hours or more in the park. Day passes are £4 per adult and you can buy them online in advance or at the ticket office on the day.

Along the way you’ll spot lots of follies, stables statues and wildlife – look out for the newly carved deer sculpture near the entrance. There’s also a café serving brunch, lunch, ice cream and coffee on-site (Roots & Seeds) as well as a small mobile coffee van (Beano) for a quick caffeine hit.

6. Catch a film at the outdoor cinema

On select evenings in summer, Bathurst Estate also hosts The Alfresco Film Company’s outdoor cinema. Last year we watched Back To The Future under the stars surrounded by nature. The company also tours other sites in the Cotswolds with lots of different films so it’s worth checking out their latest screenings to see which could work for you.

Tickets start from £10 per adult and can be bought online in advance. I’d recommend trying to book as soon as you can as these do sell out! There’s food and drink options on-site or you can pack your own snacks and sweet treats. Just don’t forget a blanket or layers as the evening cools!

7. Explore beautiful Cerney House Gardens

Owned and lovingly cared for by the Angus family, Lady Angus and her daughter restored the beautiful Victorian walled garden in this hidden gem in the Cotswolds. Today you can wander the romantic gardens around the house including the walled garden, working kitchen garden, wildflower trail and herb garden. You can find a full garden map here.

You could easily spend a morning here admiring the gardens and spotting butterflies. There’s also a self-service tea room and plant shop. Entrance tickets are £6 per adult and you can buy them on-site, the gardens are open 364 days a year.

8. Cool off with local ice cream

Of course, it’s not a summer day out without ice cream. Here are a few of my favourite local spots:

Lick Gelato Bar – Right in the centre of town you’ll find Lick serving traditional gelato from suppliers near Lake Como in Italy. The ice cream is so delicious and the couple that run the shop are so friendly and welcoming, it’s the perfect stop!

Jolly Nice Farm Shop – Just 10 minutes from Cirencester, you’ll find the beautiful farm shop, Jolly Nice. As the name suggests, their produce is incredibly nice, locally sourced and delicious and in summer they serve ice cream in their shop and in their café.

Roots & Seeds – Set within the Old Stables on Bathhurst Estate you’ll find this tasty café. While they serve a full lunch and brunch menu alongside coffees and cakes, their range of ice lollies is great. Super fresh summer flavours to cool down while walking in the park!

Amore Mio – For true Italian flavours in the Cotswolds head to local favourite Amore Mio. Again, this is a full restaurant so you could try their incredible pizza and an ice cream or simply get some of their classic gelato to go.

9. Play tennis

If you’re craving something a bit more active, why not play some tennis. There are three courts in pretty St. Michael’s Park that you don’t need to be a member to enjoy. Simply click here to book your court using their online system and you’ll be given a code to unlock the gate. The courts cost £6 per hour or can be booked for just 30 minutes for £3 – all you need to bring is your racket and ball.

Need some extra tennis balls or a new racket? There’s a great sports shop in town, find it here.

10. Visit the best farm shops

One of my favourite things to do in summer is explore local farm shops, newly filled with the freshest ripe fruits and bright vegetables. Here are some of the best:

Jolly Nice Farm Shop – As I mentioned earlier, not only is this a great spot for grabbing some food, coffee or an ice cream but their store is beautifully presented with fruit, vegetables, gifts and homewares. Plus, you can pet their on-site donkeys – need I say more!?

Abbey Home Farm – Visit this working farm to explore their grounds, shop their latest delicious produce and grab a coffee in their café.

11. Picnic in the Abbey Grounds

Last but by no means least, round out your day with a picnic in Cirencester’s Abbey Grounds. There’s plenty of benches or bring your own picnic blanket to relax on and watch the herons fish in the river. You might even get lucky and spot the resident kingfisher – look out for a distinctive flash of blue!

That’s my round up of the best Cirencester has to offer in summer! I hope you enjoy these spots as much as I did and if you have any questions about visiting Cirencester or the wider area, please comment and let me know.

Happy exploring!

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Keep reading about Cirencester:

• 10 of the best coffee shops in & around Cirencester 2024
• 10 of the best restaurants in Cirencester 2024
• 10 of the best things to do in Cirencester in autumn 2024