The Corinium Stadium

The Corinium Stadium sits on the outskirts of Cirencester, though calling it a 'stadium' now feels generous. What you're looking at are the earthwork remains of a Roman amphitheatre - two grassy banks forming an oval that once hosted gladiatorial combat and public spectacles nearly two thousand years ago. It's remarkably well-preserved for something so old, though you need a bit of imagination to picture the roaring crowds.

This is one for archaeology enthusiasts and Roman history buffs rather than families expecting a theme park experience. There's no visitor centre, no interpretive signs to speak of - just the bones of the thing, really. You can walk the perimeter in about fifteen minutes, longer if you're taking photos or standing around wondering what life looked like here in the 2nd century AD.

The appeal is subtle. It's free to access, which helps, and it's a proper piece of local heritage that most tourists miss entirely. The site has a quietness to it that beats a crowded museum display. Walking on the actual ground where people gathered for entertainment is the sort of thing that sticks with you.

If you're camping at Hoburne Cotswold or one of the other parks in the area, Cirencester itself deserves a day trip anyway - the high street, the church, the Corinium Museum with its proper Roman exhibits. The stadium is a quick stop on the way through town, not a destination on its own. Allow thirty minutes if you're being thorough.