This leading example of the English Forest Style of garden design requires an informed eye and an enthusiasm for walking. Stephen Switzer may have advised on the design. Alexander Pope came here over a 30 year period and invested money in the afforestation. Its planting was Lord Bathurst's major achievment. The forest is transected by a goose-foot of avenues, inspired by baroque geometry but the intention was to make a rural retreat which would be useful and peaceful. It was not designed, like the baroque gardens of Italy and France, to impress visitors with the owner's wealth, power or fashionable taste. By far the best view of the park is from the top of the church steeple in Cirencester.
Cirencester Park is open to the public free of charge, for visitors on foot and on horseback by kind permission of The Trustees of the late 8th Earl Bathurst's Estate, and the 9th Earl and Countess Bathurst.
Opening times are 8am to 5pm every day throughout the year, when visitors are welcome to walk or ride.
Admission:
Free
Address:
Cirencester Park
Cirencester
GL7 2BP
