What's on

Construction of the Roman city of Bath, Aquae Sulis, began 60-70 AD, with its famous thermal baths probably built some decades later. The majority of the city was constructed of Middle Jurassic limestone (informally referred to as Bath stone and Great Oolite) but the exact source(s) of the stone and stratigraphic horizon(s) have not been addressed before. In a project with the Roman Baths and archaeologists from the University of Bournemouth, outcrops of stone around Bath have been studied for…

The Kingscote Mosaic was discovered with archaeology that points to a very rich villa outside of Cirencester. Join Emma to hear about the dig, the archaeology and the symbolism on the mosaic. If you remember the dig or took part in it, bring along your own memories to share. We will spend time in the gallery next to the mosaic giving opportunity for discussion and appraisal.

Henry VIII’s glove, Jane Austen’s Table, Sir Edward Elgar’s glasses – biographically significant objects like these have been displayed for centuries. Today, there are hundreds of museums and historic houses across the country dedicated to celebrated figures and filled with their possessions. Dr Caroline Morris will share her research on biographical objects with a brief history of their display; describing the influences upon the development of the modern biographical museum from the medieval reliquary and the Renaissance wunderkammer to Romanticism…

Evening lecture with local historian, Cherry Hubbard, unveiling Romano-British gardens; their use, function and decoration. Pliny the Elder wrote that there was a certain sanctity to a garden... In this talk Cherry explores the legacy of the Romans in our gardens, how they created peaceful spaces in the midst of their homes, how they used their plants for food, drink, decoration, medicine and dyes. We look at the primary sources, mosaics, frescos, pollen and seeds. What did they bring with them and…

The museums holds a large photographic collection depicting Cirencester over the last one hundred years. After viewing a selection of photographs showing the town across the last century, we then walk those same streets and bring the past to life in the present. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes followed by a 30 minute walk around the town centre. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Join Dr Valija Evalds as she takes you beyond the Roman period, to explore our Anglo-Saxon and Medieval collections. In this short walk through the galleries, we will explore objects from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, remnants of a Viking winter camp, pieces of a medieval abbey, and remains from the age of chivalry. Children 7 and above are welcome with an adult.

Join Emma as she takes you on a journey through the mosaics of Roman Corinium. Hear about the development of the mosaic collection and how mosaics were lifted and laid in their current place in the museum. The tour will last approximately an hour with places to sit en-route. We will end with a rare look at some of the paintings and sketches of mosaics from the Museum archive.