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A stunning UK town that has been coined the 'capital of the Cotswolds' is a truly wonderful place to be, according to both locals and tourists. The Cotswolds is perhaps one of the most beautiful regions in the entire UK, with charming towns and natural scenery that rivals other breathtaking areas like the North of Wales, the Peak District and the Scottish Highlands. While there are many worthy towns and villages to visit in the region, full of independent shops and cosy pubs, the best is perhaps this lovely market town that locals adore.

Cirencester was named among Time Out's best places in the world to visit in 2026, praised for its shopping opportunities and overall aesthetic. Millions of tourists visit this town every year, and it has become a go-to for those exploring England and the UK over the past few decades. "Ideally located for exploring the area's less busy (but no less beautiful) spots, the Cotswolds' biggest settlement has countless charms of its own," said the publication's UK editor, Ed Cunningham. "An elegant collision of architectural styles, bags of Roman history at the Corinium Museum and the Amphitheatre, fabulous shopping options at the markets, a solid roster of pubs and restaurants; in the Cotswolds, Cirencester is the place to be."

While tourists love it, residents of the town and surrounding areas also have positive things to say. One local woman told Gloucestershire Live: "It's nice to still be able to go to the independent shops, instead of the old chains that are slowly going downhill. And I do love the architecture too, it's just gorgeous."

Another shared: "It's got a lot of interesting buildings, like the Abbey here, and also great walks for the dogs. The park at the top, Cirencestert Park, is brilliant, it's a beautiful place for walks. There's great food here too, I love to have a coffee at Lynwood. It's just a lovely place to visit."

Among the best things to do here is a dip at the Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool, which is especially nice over the summer months. There is also Cirencester Park, which is lovely for a walk, no matter what time of the year it is.

Meanwhile, if you like street markets, old architecture and Roman history, then Cirencester is the place to be. One might argue it has the same charm as Bath without the massive crowds.

One local man, who hails from the area, said: "It's such a good place to grow up. It will always be home. It's a really nice place to come back to and just go out for a walk. It's very unique here, you have all sorts of different shops, a lot of independent shops, whereas in big cities you have more chains.

"The architecture is beautiful, there's lots of fun things to do as families. You've got the market place at the weekends which brings a lot of tourists. I understand it being a very sought-out place to visit."

Another said: "We couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up. If you want to go for a nice walk, you only have to walk a few minutes and suddenly you're in lovely countryside, or go for a nice bike ride. It's very safe, it was a great place to grow up."

While residents have had positive things to say, the same goes for tourists. Online, reviews of the town are overwhelmingly positive.

One visitor said: "Cirencester is a charming gem in the heart of the Cotswolds, and it's no surprise that many consider it the best town centre in the South West. The town exudes a classic, quintessentially English vibe, with its beautiful, well-preserved historic buildings and vibrant atmosphere."

Another, who called it the "UK's best town", wrote: "It has everything you want for a visit to a town. It is well laid out. It is largely traffic-free. The square outside the church is wonderful. It has a wealth of independent businesses. All the ugly, greedy chain stores are there but hidden away, and so Cirencester is not just another dull UK high street."

A third shared: "Cirencester town centre is a gem of a town to wander around. Quaint streets, gorgeous architecture and independent shops as well as the regular high street places. There are lots of cafes, etc, to stop and have a drink and beautiful parks to linger in."