Cirencester vs Cheltenham: which place suits you better?
Compare Cirencester and Cheltenham on rail access, schools, house prices and their different historic and green settings.
Cirencester place profile · Cheltenham place profile
Key differences between Cirencester and Cheltenham
- Primary schools
- Cirencester: 4 · Cheltenham: 15
Living in Cirencester vs Cheltenham: at a glance
Typical sold prices are very similar, at £335k in Cirencester and £320k in Cheltenham, and both places have strong school performance. Cheltenham has a station in the town itself, while Cirencester’s nearest station is Kemble, about 5.3 km from the town centre. Cirencester has an old street pattern around its Market Place and sits on the edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape; Cheltenham’s evidence emphasises its parks, open spaces and Grade I listed Minster.
Local character and setting
Cirencester
Cirencester’s town centre is formed by old streets, courtyards and alleyways radiating from the central Market Place. The town sits on the edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Wider setting: Cirencester lies on the edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Sources: Things to Do - Cirencester Town Council · Natural EnglandCheltenham
Cheltenham’s local character information emphasises its parks and open spaces, alongside Cheltenham Minster, a Grade I listed building.
Wider setting: Cheltenham is home to Cheltenham Minster, a Grade I listed building.
Sources: Cheltenham Borough Council: Home · Shopping in Cheltenham; big brands and boutique independents · Historic EnglandWhich place may suit your priorities?
Cirencester
- Historic centre around the Market Place
- Cotswolds-edge setting
Cheltenham
- rail station in the town itself
- Parks and open spaces
House prices in Cirencester and Cheltenham
| Measure | Cirencester | Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sold price £15k difference | £335k · 766 sales | £320k · 4,118 sales |
| Detached homes £155k difference | £570k · 123 sales | £725k · 521 sales |
| Semi-detached homes | £386k · 170 sales | £395k · 921 sales |
| Terraced homes | £320k · 284 sales | £325k · 1,194 sales |
| Flats £30k difference | £180k · 189 sales | £210k · 1,482 sales |
Commuting from Cirencester and Cheltenham
| Measure | Cirencester | Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail access | There isn't a National Rail station in the place itself. Kemble station is about 5.3 km from the centre. | Cheltenham Spa |
Schools in Cirencester and Cheltenham
| Measure | Cirencester | Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| School quality | Strong school performance | Strong school performance |
| Primary schools 4 vs 15 in the local count | 4 rated schools included for this area | 15 rated schools included for this area |
| These counts cover rated schools linked to the local area used by Homestead. Nearby schools may also serve the area, and the figures do not represent catchments or admissions. | ||
| Secondary schools 2 vs 3 in the local count | 2 rated schools included for this area | 3 rated schools included for this area |
Everyday life and green space
| Measure | Cirencester | Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Local markets | Local markets |
The trade-off between Cirencester and Cheltenham
House prices and school performance are similar, so they do not do much to separate the two. Cheltenham has the clearer rail access in the town itself, while Cirencester offers a historic Market Place setting on the edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape.