Painswick Cottage

Painswick Cottage enjoys a very special central location in the gorgeous historic village of Painswick. Nestled just outside the pretty village are the sensational Painswick Rococo Gardens, the only surviving complete Rococo garden in the entire country. The gardens were designed in the 1740’s and boast a stunning valley of flowers, plants and trees where you will lose yourselves in the natural splendour. It is famous for its carpets of snowdrops in early spring.

Painswick is within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it is easy to see why. With more than 3,000 miles of public footpaths and pretty, quaint hamlets and villages to discover, the landscape is totally breathtaking. You will discover ancient woodlands, rolling hills and tapestries of farmland. Painswick’s St Mary’s Church dates back to 1377 and is famous for its yew trees. Painswick sits halfway along the Cotswold Way National Trail with marvellous hikes all around. Painswick Beacon enjoys magnificent views across the Severn Valley to the Welsh mountains. Painswick was chosen as a location for the BBC TV adaptation of J K Rowling’s ‘The Casual Vacancy’ so many of the sites can be spotted around the town. While exploring, you will discover the country’s oldest bowling green, New Street which was constructed in the 15th century, the splendid churchyard of St Mary’s and the town’s 18-hole golf course. If you prefer to explore by bike, the Cotswolds and Severn Vale 7 day cycle tour passes through Painswick. The town’s narrow streets are brimming with shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and galleries including the Art Couture Painswick Gallery. Painswick hosts an annual Arts Festival and the Art Couture Painswick Festival.

In the Stroud valley, just moments from the cottage, you will find a delightful family owned boutique vineyard and winery, Woodchester Valley. You can take a tasting tour to discover the world of English wine and buy some of their multi-award winning wines to enjoy back at the cottage.

During your Cotswolds holiday, there are plenty of historic towns close by that are worth visiting. Cheltenham, the home of the famous Ladies’ College, Cheltenham Festival and the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, was voted as the Best Place to Live in the South West 2020 by The Sunday Times. It is the most complete Regency town in the UK, a town of refined elegance, culture, much loved independent shops, Michelin starred fine dining, farmers markets, the renowned Wilson Museum and unique festival vibes. It became the hip 18th century place to go when Henry Skillicorne unearthed its healthy spa waters, even gaining the Royal Seal of Approval after George III’s visit. The medicinal waters can still be taken at the Pittville Pump Room whose blue dome rises above the lakes of Pittville Park. Cheltenham’s festivals include the world’s longest literary festival, The Cheltenham Music Festival, Jazz and Science Festivals and The Cheltenham Festival, the most prestigious jump racing event of the year. The Cheltenham Racecourse has been voted the greatest racecourse in the world by The Racing Post. This glorious town kisses the beautiful Cotswold countryside and offers much entertainment. Cirencester is the largest town in the Cotswold District with notable attractions being the Corinthian Museum with its huge collection of Roman relics, the 12th century Church of St John The Baptist and its numerous lush green parks. Gloucester is nestled between the Cotwolds and the Forest of Dean. It boasts a history dating back to the Roman times and is home to many museums and attractions. Its magnificent Gothic cathedral is the site of Henry III’s coronation and the final resting place of King Edward II. Gloucester Docks is a vibrant leisure destination for shopping, dining and drinking set against the backdrop of the beautifully restored Victorian warehouses and the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. Sports fans enjoy the roar from ‘The Shed’ at Gloucester Rugby and at Gloucester City AFC’s new stadium.

The gorgeous Bourton-on-the-Water is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds with its beautiful bridges crossing the River Windrush. Gorgeous cosy cafes line the pretty streets together with houses made with enchanting honey coloured Cotswold stone. Also worth visiting is Chipping Campden, in the northern Cotswolds, with its high street bursting with beautiful historic buildings.

Othere popular excursions from Painswick Cottage include visits to Highgrove Gardens, The National Arboretum, Cerney House Gardens, The Abbey House Gardens, Kelmscott Manor, Sudeley Castle and Gardens, Bourton House Garden, Snowhill Manor and Garden, Dyrham Park and the Cotswold Sculpture Park. Local equestrian events such as the Badminton Horse Trials, Gatcombe Festival of British Eventing and Beaufort Polo are all popular. Highgrove House is not open to the public but the gardens are open between April and October, much to the joy of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The series of interlinked gardens has been created over some forty years and is an important haven for a rich variety of flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy champagne tours and private tours.

While visiting the Highgrove gardens you can explore Tetbury, another very attractive, historic wool town. It is an architectural gem with many of the wool merchant’s houses remaining the same as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Parish Church of St Mary’s has one of the tallest and most elegant spires in the UK. Tetbury is popular for its independent shops including antique shops, vintage and interior shops, exclusive boutiques and the Highgrove shop. Tetbury holds many regular events including the May Day Wacky Races, the Spring Bank Holiday Woolsack Races when contestants carry 65lb woolsacks up and down the 1 in 4 hill, the August Summer Show, the September Food and Drink Festival, the October Tetbury Music Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-on.

Read more about Cotswolds

The Costwolds isn’t just one of the most beautiful regions in England – it’s one that’s beautifully representative of the best of the English countryside. Straddling several counties, the Cotswolds boasts undulating hills and farmland, striking architecture and monuments as well as some particularly charming villages that make for relaxing and delightful day trips for both families and groups. Our holiday homes and large cottages in the Cotswolds provide the perfect place to stay, but if you’re looking for the best things to do and places to eat then our travel guide is a great place to start! Read on and get inspired for your luxury Cotswolds break.

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