Corinium Museum
Discover Roman Britain's second-largest town through stunning mosaics and local artifacts at the Corinium Museum.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Corinium Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Roman Britain's second-largest town through stunning mosaics and local artifacts at the Corinium Museum.
"An excellent museum with some quite beautiful mosaics and engaging history of Cirencester over the millennia."
🎟️ All-Day Ticket Access
Your ticket is valid all day! Pop out for lunch or explore Cirencester and return later. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Easy to Explore
The museum is compact, with most visitors spending about an hour. Great for a quick, insightful visit. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Stunning Roman Mosaics
Ground Floor
Marvel at intricate Roman mosaic floors, showcasing incredible artistry and ancient stories. A true highlight!
Rusty the Iron Age Dog
Archaeology Gallery
Meet Rusty, a beloved Iron Age dog skeleton, a unique and engaging find from local excavations.
Roman Villa Remains
Various Exhibits
Discover artifacts and insights from Roman villas found across the Cotswolds, revealing ancient life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for a Smoother Visit
Cirencester's Roman Heartbeat
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ All-Day Ticket Access
Your ticket is valid all day! Pop out for lunch or explore Cirencester and return later. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Easy to Explore
The museum is compact, with most visitors spending about an hour. Great for a quick, insightful visit. :athletic_shoe:
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Fun
Engaging exhibits and educational elements make it enjoyable for the whole family. :children_crossing:
🚗 Parking Nearby
The Old Station car park is just a few minutes' walk away. :car:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ All-Day Ticket Access
Your ticket is valid all day! Pop out for lunch or explore Cirencester and return later. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Easy to Explore
The museum is compact, with most visitors spending about an hour. Great for a quick, insightful visit. :athletic_shoe:
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Fun
Engaging exhibits and educational elements make it enjoyable for the whole family. :children_crossing:
🚗 Parking Nearby
The Old Station car park is just a few minutes' walk away. :car:
✨ Free Art Gallery Next Door
Combine your visit with the free art gallery for a fuller cultural experience. :art:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Corinium Museum for its excellent collection of Roman mosaics and artifacts, offering engaging insights into local history. The friendly staff and family-friendly atmosphere are frequently highlighted. Some minor critiques mention occasional inaccuracies on timeline boards and the price being a tad high for some.
"Made the mistake of "bigging" the Corinium up in my mind before entering. Big mistake. It could never live up to what my (former) drug addled brain could imagine and when you've taken as many hallucinogens as I have in the past I was expecting to be mugged by an iron age thug or Roman centurian around every corner. It's a museum and is full of museumy things from the past. Daft thing to write as I've yet to visit a museum which looks to the future. Thought it was a tad pricey even though I got the crinkley discount. The staff were nice in the extreme. They put up with the mouthy northern one (me) without banning me from returning at some point. I hope they've forgiven me for leaving my 'up the boro' message before I departed."
Bill Robson
"An excellent museum with some quite beautiful mosaics and engaging history of Cirencester over the millennia. Let down by some sloppy attention to detail with their timeline boards. Guy Fawkes' assassination attempt was a year later and Edward VII was crowned a whole 3 years before."
Jeremy Anderson
"Excellent exhibits with great educational elements! The whole family enjoyed it. The people were very informative as well."
Sheila Young
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Corinium Museum is located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. If you're visiting without a car, Cirencester is accessible by bus, and the museum is centrally located within the town, making it easy to reach from bus stops. For those driving, the Old Station car park is a convenient option nearby.
Yes, Cirencester is about a 2.5-hour drive from London and offers a scenic escape to the Cotswolds. The Corinium Museum is a key attraction for a day trip focused on history and culture.
Absolutely! Cirencester is a hub in the Cotswolds and accessible by public transport. The museum is centrally located, so you can easily spend a day exploring the town and its historical sites without a car.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
It's best to check the official Corinium Museum website for the most up-to-date opening hours, as they can vary seasonally. Searching 'corinium museum opening times' will provide this information.
Adult tickets were around £7.90, with discounts available for certain groups. It's recommended to check their website for current pricing.
Yes, the tickets are valid for the entire day, allowing you to leave and return if you wish. This is great if you want to explore Cirencester further and come back.
While not always mandatory, booking in advance can be a good idea, especially during peak seasons or for special exhibitions, to guarantee entry. Check their website for booking options.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum boasts a nationally-important collection of locally-found Roman remains, including stunning mosaic floors, sculptures, and artifacts from Roman villas. You can also see Iron Age finds like Rusty the dog. 
Most visitors find that about an hour is sufficient to walk around and see the main exhibits. It's a well-curated museum that offers a concentrated dose of history.
Yes, the museum has engaging exhibits and educational elements that make it enjoyable for the whole family.
Yes, there are toilets on-site, though they are described as being a bit tucked away.
Corinium Dobunnorum, now Cirencester, was the second-largest town in Roman Britain and a major stop on the Fosse Way. The museum showcases its importance through its extensive Roman collection.
📸 📸 Photography
Generally, photography for personal use is allowed inside the Corinium Museum, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific restrictions on flash photography or certain exhibits.
The Roman mosaic floors are particularly photogenic and are often highlighted by visitors. The unique artifacts, like Rusty the dog, also make for interesting shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting on a weekday morning to avoid the busiest times. The museum's manageable size means kids won't get too tired, and there's plenty to spark their curiosity about ancient life in Britain. Don't forget to check out the free art gallery next door for an extended cultural outing.
🏛️ History Buffs & Archaeology Enthusiasts
+1Take your time to appreciate the craftsmanship of the mosaics and the stories they tell. The museum's focus on local finds means you're seeing history directly connected to the Cotswolds landscape. The informative displays and knowledgeable staff can further enhance your understanding of this fascinating period.
🚶 Day-Trippers from London
Combine your museum visit with exploring Cirencester's market town charm. The museum's central location and all-day ticket make it easy to fit into a day's itinerary. Parking is readily available, and the museum provides a concentrated dose of history that's perfect for a day out.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Roman Legacy of Corinium
+1The museum's collection includes nationally-important finds, such as the stunning mosaics that adorned the floors of wealthy Roman homes. These artworks, often depicting mythological scenes or geometric patterns, are remarkably well-preserved and offer a glimpse into the aesthetic tastes and beliefs of the era. Beyond the mosaics, the museum displays sculptures, pottery, and personal items that provide insights into the social structure, economy, and daily routines of the Corinium populace.
+1Beyond the Roman period, the museum also touches upon the Iron Age history of the region, most notably with the popular exhibit of 'Rusty,' an Iron Age dog skeleton. This blend of historical periods, from pre-Roman times through to later eras, makes the Corinium Museum a comprehensive destination for anyone interested in the deep history of the Cotswolds. The museum's commitment to showcasing local archaeology ensures a unique and authentic experience for every visitor.
Navigating the Corinium Museum Experience
For families, the museum offers excellent educational elements that capture the imagination of younger visitors. Interactive displays and engaging stories, such as those about Rusty the Iron Age dog, make history come alive. The fact that tickets are valid for the whole day is a significant plus, allowing families to pace their visit or take breaks without feeling rushed.
Practical amenities like on-site toilets are available, though some visitors note they are a bit tucked away. The museum's central location in Cirencester also means that amenities like cafes and shops are easily accessible, and parking is convenient at nearby car parks such as the Old Station. This makes the Corinium Museum an easy and rewarding stop for a day out in the Cotswolds.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit