Discover Cricklade

Cricklade offers two distinct focal points for a stay: the protected meadows of North Meadow and the town’s history, explored along the Heritage Trail and in the museum. If you’re looking for a hotel in Cricklade, you can plan your trip around these highlights: nature and historic sites offer different perspectives on the same place.

Nature at North Meadow

North Meadow is an internationally important lowland hay meadow and is protected as a Special Area of Conservation. It is home to Britain’s largest population of snake’s-head fritillaries. This puts a clearly defined type of meadow and an exceptional plant population at the heart of the nature experience.

From Cricklade town centre, you can reach North Meadow on public footpaths in about 20 minutes on foot. As the meadow is seasonally flooded, conditions can vary. Take these seasonal conditions into account when planning your visit.

History in the town and along the Heritage Trail

Cricklade was home to a royal mint from 979 to 1100 and is one of the few surviving Saxon towns. The mint represents a clearly defined historical period, while the description of Cricklade as a surviving Saxon town further highlights its historical character.

The Heritage Trail passes historic buildings and sites in Cricklade. Along the route are St Sampson’s Church, a 13th-century landmark, and St Mary’s Church, a medieval landmark. St Sampson’s is dated more specifically, while St Mary’s is described more generally as medieval. The trail therefore offers historic sites from different periods.

Museum, tours and annual event

Cricklade Museum is a major tourist attraction. It gives the public access to objects from the Cricklade district and promotes knowledge of local history. The museum also offers guided tours through various parts of the town, typically lasting 60 to 90 minutes.

For planning your time, the walk from the town centre to North Meadow and the guided tours through various parts of the town offered by Cricklade Museum are different options: the walk takes about 20 minutes, while the tours typically last 60 to 90 minutes. The Cricklade Show is a livestock market held annually on the August Bank Holiday. If this date matters for your stay, check the specific event dates for your year of travel.

Routes and getting around

The Thames Path National Trail also passes through Cricklade, providing another route to explore during your stay alongside the Heritage Trail. For road directions, Cricklade is near the A419, north of Swindon and Junction 16 of the M4.

Discover more destinations: Ogbourne St George, Bradford On Avon, Amesbury, Chippenham, Ansty, Hindon, Upper Seagry, Warminster

For the broader travel overview: Wiltshire.