Corinium Museum

The town of Cirencester, referred to as the "Capital of the Cotswolds", was once the second-largest town in Roman Britain. Known then as Corinium Dobunnorum, the site acted as a market town for the region and evidence shows that it was a prosperous and busy settlement. 

Cirencester's Roman history is highlighted today in the Corinium Museum, home to Britain's largest collection of Roman mosaics after London. In addition to the its extensive Roman collection, the Museum also houses artifacts from the Cotswolds' storied past, from prehistoric times to present day. 

 At the heart of the museum’s Roman displays are its stunning mosaics. Among the most well-known are the "Hunting Dogs Mosaic", which inspired the Museum's founding upon its discovery, and the intricate and colorful "Orpheus Mosaic" that depicts the mythical musician attracting wild beasts to him through the playing of his lyre.

Other impressive items in the Museum's possession include weapons from the Bronze Age, jewelry and homewares from Anglo-Saxon England, and items from the Tudor era like a silver coin minted with Henry VIII's portrait. 

The museum has an extensive and engaging educational program and often hosts cultural events to celebrate Cirencester's captivating history.