2 Best Sights in Cirencester, Bath and the Cotswolds

Not much of the Roman town remains visible, but this engaging museum displays an outstanding collection of Roman artifacts, including jewelry and coins, as well as mosaic pavements and full-scale reconstructions of local Roman interiors. Spacious modern, light-filled galleries that explore the town's history in Roman and Anglo-Saxon times and in the 18th century include plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids. A café and shop are on-site.

At the top of Market Place is this magnificent Gothic parish church, known as the cathedral of the "wool Gothic" style. Its gleaming, elaborate, three-tier, three-bay south porch is the largest in England and once served as the town hall. The chantry chapels and many coats of arms bear witness to the importance of the wool merchants as benefactors of the church. A rare example of a delicate 15th-century wineglass pulpit sits in the nave. General and tower tours are available periodically; check the website for dates and times.