Roman history enthusiasts are in for a treat as a colossal Roman amphitheatre is hiding in plain sight right here in the UK.

Next to Cirencester – the largest town in the Cotswolds – lie the earthwork remains of an enormous amphitheatre, which at its zenith, was one of the biggest Roman amphitheatres in Britain.

The amphitheatre’s history

Constructed in the early 2nd century AD – when Cirencester was known as the Roman city of Corinium and was second only to London in size and population – this amphitheatre could accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. The Cirencester Amphitheatre began as a simple quarry, and it’s believed that the majority of the stone used to build the town came from it.

By the time most of the town had been built, its layout already closely resembled that of an amphitheatre, complete with tiered seating.

In modern-day Britain, the Cirencester Amphitheatre is considered one of the largest surviving examples from the Roman occupation of the island. After the Roman army departed Britain in AD 408, life in Cirencester quickly declined without their pay, which was a crucial support for the local economy and helped maintain order.

With no central authority to take the reins, the town’s urban heart was drained of life. Private benefactors who had promised to fund public games were conspicuously absent. As a result, the amphitheatre ceased to be a hub of entertainment, and in a noble effort to keep their community alive, the town leaders transformed the renowned structure into a fortress.

A trench was carved along the southern side of the building, and its entrances were constricted. However, these measures seemed futile as by AD 577, a stronghold believed to be Cirencester was reported to have succumbed to the advancing Saxons. The amphitheatre was then left deserted for several centuries.

Archaeologists have since unearthed remnants of timber structures dating back to the 5th century at the once-celebrated site. During the Middle Ages, it is said that the Abbot of Cirencester enclosed the area to use it as a rabbit warren. Its local moniker, ‘the Bull Ring’, suggests that it may have later been used for bull-baiting – a potential nod to its original Roman-era purpose, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Architecture and Structure

Unlike the circular designs of the amphitheatres at Silchester and Dorchester, the Cirencester Amphitheatre was oval-shaped, with an entrance at each end of the structure’s longer axis.

The vast earth banks, the only remnants of the once towering structure, held rows of wooden seats built upon terraced drystone walls. It’s thought that there was also a standing area for spectators within the building.

The amphitheatre’s seating area alone could accommodate around 8,000 people – a figure not far off from the entire population of Corinium at the time (approximately 10,000).

A wall separated the audience from the arena, which was covered with sand and fine gravel. During a later reconstruction, two small chambers were built on either side of the entrance’s inner end.

Indications suggest one of them may have been dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess frequently honoured in amphitheatres throughout the Roman Empire.

Getting there

Cirencester Amphitheatre is free to explore as it is not a ticketed site. However, it should be noted that some areas of the site are uneven, making them unsuitable for wheelchair users.

There’s also a small flight of stairs at the entrance of the structure which may pose an accessibility challenge.

Dog owners are welcome to bring their pets to Cirencester Amphitheatre, provided they are kept on leads. Free parking is available in the car park at the eastern end of Cotswold Avenue, and shops, toilets, and food outlets can be found in the nearby Cirencester town centre.