Cirencester - Abbey, Wall & Old Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission through historic Cirencester, with Agents helping the CIA - Cirencester Intelligence Agency - crack the secret code needed to foil a dastardly plot by the RATS, otherwise known as Really Annoying Tricky Spies.

The mission covers approximately 1.8 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin beside the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, investigate the Market Place and old town streets, head towards Cirencester Park and Cecily Hill, then weave through Dollar Street before escaping into the Abbey Grounds for the final stretch.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is mostly level, but some sections can become muddy and there are narrow pavements and several busy roads to cross. Use designated crossings where possible and keep Mini Agents close when moving through the town.

Getting There

By car - Your mission begins at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist (GL7 2NX).

The nearest recommended parking is Abbey Grounds Pay and Display car park (GL7 2DA), using ///heckler.minds.bills. From there, head towards the church and war memorial, with the Market Place nearby, to begin the operation.

By public transport - Make your way into Cirencester town centre, then head for the Parish Church of St John the Baptist to begin the mission. The circular route finishes in the Abbey Grounds, close to the starting area.

Need the Loo?

Even elite CIA operatives require an occasional tactical pit stop. Toilets are available in the Abbey Grounds near the start and finish. From the car park, enter the grounds and follow the path to the right, past the table tennis area.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

No specific dog restrictions are noted for this route, so canine Agents can join the outdoor operation. 🐾

Keep them close through the busier town streets, particularly around road crossings and narrow pavements, and take extra care around the lake in the Abbey Grounds. Any dog showing unusual interest in bins, basements or brie should probably be questioned.

Food & Drink Stops

Foiling a rodent-based water conspiracy is hungry work.

The best opportunity to stock up on mission supplies or grab refreshments is during the earlier section of the route, between Clues 01-07. If you'd rather bring provisions, Cirencester Park around Clue 09 makes a cracking picnic stop, or save your rations for beside the lake in the Abbey Grounds towards the end.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Cirencester Park

This is the standout extra for the mission. The historic estate stretches across around 3,000 acres, with sweeping avenues, woodland, follies and plenty of suspiciously secret-looking corners. It's open to visitors daily until 5pm and an entry fee applies, so allow extra time if you're planning a proper reconnaissance mission.

Abbey Grounds

The final section takes you through the Abbey Grounds, making them an easy place to linger once the RATS have been dealt with. There's open parkland, the lake and plenty of space for a picnic or a calmer wander after all that covert code-cracking.

Roman Town Wall

There's a secret side mission near the end of the route to investigate the last remains of Cirencester's Roman Town Wall. Climb the nearby mound for a better look across the area and add a little Roman reconnaissance to your day.

Roman Cirencester

Cirencester began life as Corinium and grew into one of Roman Britain's most important towns, second only to London in size by the 2nd century. The mission reveals several traces of that past, from surviving wall remains to stories of Roman mosaics and coded-looking inscriptions - plenty to keep history-hunting Agents occupied after the final transmission.