The first hare was in the foyer of the Roman Museum, and surrounded by the most breathtaking mosaics that were unearthed locally, and that date from the 4th century.
One day when funds allow I'd love to have a proper look round the museum, from the glimpses I've had it looks fascinating.
There were small hares as well, in the windows of shops. The children had little passports to take in to each shop and get stamped.
This is the loveliest book shop you could imagine. A good half of the shop is full of children's books, the good ones, carefully chosen. There are comfy chairs and a lovely sofa and it's just one of my favourite places. At the back are some equally good books for the grown-ups.
We dropped into the Oxfam book shop as well. I picked up Inkheart by Cornelia Funke for the children.
Onwards, more hares.
This one was decorated by Cath Hodsman, one of my favourite artists. She paints insects in minute detail, and her paintings are exquisite.
I did like some of the expressions on the hare faces. I'm getting a little supercilious disdain here.
And a touch of slight embarrassment here.
There was one inside the church so we took a moment to look around. A kindly guide entertained the boys with fantastic tales of giant slayers and magic doors. They were riveted.
Further along the high street I saw this sign. What a fantastic idea. I wish this sort of thing was done more. 
At the end of our hunt we walked along to the park for a picnic.
All in all, a day well spent. Wishing you all a happy Sunday. CJ xx
I would love to go there! The hares are all wonderful. They remind me of a project a few years ago in New York City where there were cow statues all over and each was a different theme or design. I am so fascinated by the Roman ruins you have there. I really hope to visit someday.
ReplyDeleteThe hare hunt looked like fun. A great way of exploring a new town. Thank you taking us along. Was there any significance to the hares and Cirencester?
ReplyDeleteIn 1971 a hare mosaic was unearthed next to the River Churn at Cirencester. The mosaic is at the museum now, and it has become their symbol. The trail is raising money for the local wildlife society, to improve access to the river.
DeleteWhat a lovely day trip - I particularly like the Ancient Egyptian hare. You have inspired me - we live about 45 minutes away from Cirencester but I have never been; it is now on my 'Places to go in the Summer' list! Thank you. x
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, it's a great place to explore, so full of history.
DeleteThe hares are beautiful. What a lovely village and it looked like the perfect kind of day to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHere in Orlando we have had LizArt (lizards) and Arty-gator (alligators) --- it was fun trying to find them all. In Lakeland, where our son went to college, swans are the icon for the town. They did Swan-sea. They were wonderful, especially the one with long legs painted like a flamingo --- the title was "This is not a swan!"
Perfect day out. My favourite hare is the first one in the museum but they are all beautiful. There's something intriguing about hares isn't there? The speak of magic and always look as if they have interesting tales to tell.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip for you all and the excitement of the hare hunt was great to get kids involved! You are so lucky to have such rich history there. We have Indian things unearthed here, but not Roman mosaics! You're a good mom to take the boys to see all these things. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeletelove that hare hunt, I love hares!
ReplyDeletehope the children enjoy inkheart, it was the last book I read out loud to my two, before they decided that mum was just tooooo slow, and it's much better to steal the book and read a few chapters by yourself.......
What a beautiful place, I have been there many moons ago but I have no memories if it :(. I love the idea that restaurant is promoting how fantastic, not that I have anything to barter at the moment but you never know.........
ReplyDeleteWell, this just makes me want to get in the car and drive to Cirencester for a nosey round! I love that book shop; I'd want to sit down and read too. We had a wonderful little book shop locally but the competition from Amazon prices was just too great and it closed a few years ago, re-opening as postal and cheap gifts shop. (Handy but ugh!) The hares are wonderful - reminded me of that Kit Williams book 'Masquerade' (what will happen to them after the summer hunt is over, I wonder?) And, of course, barter-at-the-back-door, fantastic! Wouldn't it be great if that idea caught on! (Not that I have any surplus, except in the herbs department!) Looks like you've got the school hols off to a brilliant start, CJ! C xx
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a lovely day out and what a great idea looking for the hares.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day out.. if only I lived closer. Those hares are wonderful. Great photos too! :o) x
ReplyDeleteAh! Chi! I only visited there once on holiday but it was a really cool place; I love the hare trail! Chester did Rhinos a few years back and Liverpool had penguins and Lambananas in 2008. They're really good ways of getting children to look at the town, aren't they? Were any decorated by local schools? We had to go and find the school's penguin specially!
ReplyDeleteAnother delightful post, with wonderful photos, about what looks to have been such a good day.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to find a bookshop like that nowadays sadly. What a great storytelling guide in the church. Bartering at the back door sounds like a terrific idea.
Thanks, I hope that you're having a good day. Flighty xx
The Hare Trail is a wonderful idea, and they are all so beautifully decorated, the Cleopatra one and the mosaic are I think my favourites! I love that idea for the restaurant with the veggie swapping idea, how great is that. Much better than trying to share out 1000's of courgettes and the like. Glad that you had such a great time! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful trip with a great way of keeping the kids amused by looking out for the hares. That sign is such a brilliant idea especially with everything growing so quickly this year - better than making copious amounts of chutney and soups :-) Cirencester reminded me so much of Stamford, it's very similar especially with amazing book shops. Enjoy the week xx
ReplyDeleteAn interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteI would love to re-visit Cirencester. I remember hunting the Gromits in Bristol very fondly. I love days out like these. And Inkheart is a great read.
Leanne xx
It looks like a beautiful place to visit and I love all the Hares. Inkheart was a favorite of my boys when they were young.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
I also remember the Gromits. The idea is really catching on. Fun though!
ReplyDeleteSounds and looked like the perfect day! Now that barter at the back door is BRILLIANT!!!!! I just love that so much! Down in the town that my sister lives in they deliver extra food from the farmers market to an area of town where people need food. It is so good to do something with it rather than waste it! And those hares are beautiful especially the one painted by your favorite artist! Just WOW! The bookstore is perfect as is the picnic with your boys! Life is good...happy week friend! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous day out, hare hunting. I love the one in the foyer of the museum and had to laugh at the embarrassed one, but how cute is the one with the bee on his nose. The book shop sounds delightful, I think I could spend a good few hours in there, I have a weakness where book shops are concerned. What a great idea the bartering system is, if only my allotment was more productive, I could eat out from it. I agree, more places should employ the same idea.
ReplyDeleteI think that's about the only town we did not visit during our stay in the Cotswolds and by the looks of it we really schould have. But I'm sure we will return some time and Cirencester will be on top of our list! Thanks for sharing and have a good week, Anita xx
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful time! I can't get enough of that book store. It looks right out of a movie and so charming and magical inside. I wish there were more small book stores like that around here. Glad you had such a great day exploring!
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent idea to keep the kids amused and allow everyone a chance to have a good look around and enjoy what Cirencester has to offer! It looked a brilliant day for both children and adults, I've never been to Cirencester but it looks a great place.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all enjoyed it!
Gill xx
I think I would like to visit Cirencester. I wonder if the hares are there permanently? Don't laugh but they do remind me of the cow parade in Zuerich in the late 1990s.... There were cows everywhere and like the hares they were colourful and beautiful. Have a lovely week. Cx
ReplyDeleteI share your love ofose bookshops and this one looks so good. It must have been fun finding all those hares. I have noticed children following a trail in Dorchester too, what a shame there wasn't more of these when my children were younger! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWe do something like that hare hunt here but with dogs or something... well this one town near me does. I always see dogs everywhere in the Spring decorated all silly haha
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for dealing with excess veggies. Pity it's such a long way away.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. We're holidaying down your way this August so I shall pop it on the list of things to do....along with so may more.
ReplyDeleteNina x
What a great day out. Reminds me of the superlambananas they had in Liverpool a while ago :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous day. Those hares are amazing with all their decorations - love the various expressions!
ReplyDeleteCirencester looks beautiful! I've visited a few Cotswold towns and villages (many moons ago) but would love to go to Cirencester too. I also love hares and browsing lovely shops... sounds like a lovely combination of things to see and do.
ReplyDeleteS x
I want to be you when I grow up! What a magical day :)
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