Summer Visits

Each year we run a series of visits to sites of interest for members. These include guided tours of historic towns and villages, museum visits and tours of archaeological excavations. Some of these are free of charge whilst others are paid-for events.

Recent visits included: a guided tour of Winchcombe by David Aldred, a walk around Uley, a behind the scenes tour of The Folk of Gloucester museum, a tour of Littledean Roman temple and visits to the Archaeoscan excavations at Guiting Power and Slimbridge.

If you would like to lead an evening walk around places of historic or archaeological interest in your home village or local area please contact Mike  Milward at the m.milward1@yahoo.co.uk . He is always open to suggestions.

St John the Baptist Church, Cirencester. 11th May 2024

On Saturday 11th May, five of us were given a fascinating guided tour of this imposing parish church in the heart of Cirencester. Our guide, Deirdre Waddell, started with its origins in the 12th century as the church of the now long-lost abbey, its survival during the Dissolution, and later during the Civil War and finally its renovations by Gilbert Scott in the 1860s.

Surviving fragments of wall paintings show how vibrant the interior of the church must once have been, whilst the beautiful Boleyn cup attests to the importance of the church. The great south porch, which was added in the 15th century has served as the abbey’s administrative building, the Town Hall and a courthouse. The tour was full of  interesting insights into this important church and well worth the £5 fee.

If you couldn’t make this visit but would like to take a tour go to the church website by clicking here.

Gloucester’s Roman Walls Walk. Saturday 1st June at 2.30pm

Andrew Armstrong, Gloucester City’s archaeologist will be leading a guided walk around the route of the Roman walls of Gloucester.

Starting at The Cross, we will walk down Westgate St, through the Cathedral close, round King’s Square and (eventually) end up back on Westgate Street.  Andy will describe how the Roman city and walls underlie that circuit, and show us what there is to see.