New hare sculpture arrives in Cirencester town centre

The hare, which sits in pride of place next to the Parish Church of St John Baptist in West Market Place, features images of landmarks in Cirencester and forms part of a new hare trail in the town.

Designed by artist from the area Mike Smith, it has been installed through a collaboration between Cirencester Civic Society, the Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail, Cirencester Town Council and Cirencester Community Development Trust.

It was formally launched by Cirencester town mayor Sarah Orr at an event on the morning of Friday, October 24.

Short speeches were made at the launch by Cirencester town crier John Lawrence, Ms Orr and Cirencester Civic Society chair Carole Boydell.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the West Market Place for this moment in history,” Mr Lawrence said.

He described the images of Cirencester that had been added to the hare as ‘lovely’.

“I think it’s one of the best hares I’ve actually seen in Cirencester,” he continued.

Ms Orr described the sculpture as ‘an absolute beauty’.

“I hope everybody enjoys it and then also goes to admire the hares on the trail,” she said.

Cirencester Civic Society chair Carole Boydell additionally thanked those gathered ‘for giving us your time this morning to say welcome to our new hare in Cirencester’.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The new hare in Cirencester was commissioned by Cirencester Civic Society to showcase some of the most iconic sights of the town – many of which form part of the walks led by Civic Society town guides.

“Local artist Mike Smith did a fantastic job of interpreting the scenes so familiar to householders – and new to discover by visitors to the town.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of CTC, CCDT and the Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail.”

Florence Beetlestone, Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail chair, said: “I am absolutely delighted Cirencester Civic Society decided to be the sponsor of our first new hare sculpture for 2026.

“As the hares will all be decorated with a historical theme, it’s fabulous that artist Mike Smith has completed the design in time for Cirencester History Festival.”

Encircling Cirencester’s green heart, the Hare Trail is a new circular walk around the edge of the town linking up its green spaces.

Based on Cirencester’s original Hare Festival Way, which was established in 2015 following the 2014 Cirencester March Hare Festival, the newly-designed hare trail extends the route, making it circular.

It now includes Cirencester Amphitheatre, Four Acre Field and St Michael’s Park, as well as the Abbey Grounds, City Bank and The Old Kennels.

The idea of the trail is to provide a route around Cirencester showing off its green environment and encouraging people to get out and walk in these open spaces.

It offers a longer walk for those wishing to explore hidden gems of natural history and historic places while also having shorter sections for those less energetic.

The Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail have now completed phase one of work on the trail by re-siting and refurbishing some of six original hare sculptures commissioned in 2015.

One of these has been placed at The Old Kennels and is the first sculpture on a new section of the walk.

The group has also produced a trail map.

As of September, the Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail intended in phase two to organise the production of new signage, way markers and interpretation boards.

They additionally wished to highlight the route’s history by adding a further 10 hare sculptures decorated by artists from the area in a historical theme – with each representing a different phase of Cirencester’s history.

The map of the newly-designed trail is now available at Cirencester Local Information Centre at Bingham House in Cirencester’s Dyer Street, produced by the Friends of Cirencester Hare Trail in partnership with Project Orpheus.

However, once enhancements are made, it is hoped the trail will be relaunched with a big event in the summer of 2026.

The Friends of the Hare Trail said once it is complete, this should prove to be a major, permanent tourist attraction and emulate the success of past Hare Festivals.

The Friends would love to hear from anybody who wishes to be involved in the project.

Please email your interest to cirenharetrail@gmail.com

Cirencester Civic Society is also holding a Society Social at the Kings Head in the Market Place to celebrate its hare as a new addition to a soon-to-be released public art trail on Monday, November 3 at 5.30pm.

Guests will be able to enjoy a welcome glass of wine or similar and meet Mr Smith.

They can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the recently-refurbished hotel.