Parks
and Open Spaces
Abbey
Grounds
Abbey Grounds, lake, wildfowl, trees and greenery form an impressive
pastoral  centerpiece
in the very centre of Cirencester town. The area is steeped in history,
a portion of ancient Roman Wall being situated in the grounds and
the site of the old
St Mary's Abbey is outlined with paving.
St
Michael’s Park
In June 1984, the Town Council undertook
the redevelopment of St Michael’s Field. This open-air recreation
park, of some seven acres of landscaped grounds, provides four hard
tennis courts with floodlighting, putting, croquet, mini and crazy
golf, children’s adventure play-ground, swing ball and barbecue,
together with changing rooms and soft drinks.
Cirencester
Park
Cirencester Park is the home of the
Bathurst family. The top of Cecily Hill provides the main entrance
to the park, one of the largest in England.
 The
park and 1,300 hectares of woodlands were laid out and planted by
the first Earl Bathurst starting in 1714, with the help of his friend,
the poet Alexander Pope. A little summer-house feature was built
for Pope and is one of the charming folly buildings which adorn
Cirencester Park . The Broad Ride runs for five miles and is a central
feature of the grand forestry landscape plan.
Polo is played
throughout the summer polo season on the four grounds around the
Ivy Lodge in the middle of the park. Championship players from the
Argentine have said that this is the finest all weather polo ground
in the world.
Cotswold
Water
Park
With
more than 140 lakes,
this unique area spread over 40 square miles of countryside, provides
activities and accommodation to suit everyone. The
Cotswold Water Park also includes 3 main parks and 7 main nature
reserves. 
- Keynes
Country Park
- Neigh
Bridge Country Park
- Claydon
Pike
- Coke
Pit local nature reserve
- Clattinger
Farm nature reserve
- Swillbrook
Lakes nature reserve
- North
Meadow Reserve
- Edward
Richardson & Phyllis
Amey nature reserve
- North
Meadow nature reserve
- Whelford
Pools nature reserve
The
Cotswold Water Park Society works with various bodies such as the
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and English
Nature to help maintain the reserves and to encourage access through
the leading of guided walks and ranger work. For
more information click here. |
