Painswick Rococo Gardens Cotswolds
Created in the 1740’s as a pleasure garden for Benjamin Hyett, is this English, country gentleman’s playground.
Painswick Rococo Garden, Cotswold is set in a beautiful hidden valley. It offers spectacular, far-reaching views of the Gloucestershire countryside.
Designed for partying, this decadent garden features stunning follies and hidden garden structures all dating back to the flamboyant 1700’s Rococo era.
It is the only surviving Rococo garden in Britain.
Rococo is an exceptionally theatrical style of decoration. It combines asymmetry, curves, gilding, white and pastel colors, to help create the illusions of surprise, movement and drama. All of which works extremely well in this garden setting.
Whenever I have visited Painswick, I can clearly imagine the extravagant parties that were once held here.
Painswick now caters for weddings and celebrations. It is easy to see why anyone would choose this garden as a venue for their special day.
Painswick Rococo Gardens Highlights
Since 1984 the buildings within the garden along with the overgrown woodlands have undergone extensive restoration.
Now, as you come through the entrance arch you look straight out over the orchards and wildflower meadow to an elaborate kitchen garden.
This vegetable plot is full of delicious edibles, some of which are used in the cafe.
If you grow your own vegetables you will be astounded at the quality and sheer size of some of the vegetables grown here. I swear everything could be entered in the biggest produce competitions and win numerous prizes.
Bordering the vegetable garden are beautifully pruned fruit trees trained along the fences. You will find many varieties of apples, pears and plum trees.
Painswick Rococo Gardens have for several years now, been fundraising to purchase grape vines. These have been planted on the far side of the kitchen garden. They take advantage of the slopes, enabling the grapes to have full sun.
I look forward, in some year in the near future to being able to sample some wines made from these vines.
There are acres of woodland walks too. In February these woods are carpeted in snowdrops.
Families have fun trying to find the centre of the unusual maze and then finding their way out again.
There are also activity trails for children.
You may come across as well a plunge pool in a secluded part of the garden.
Fed by a natural spring, the pool water is crystal clear and icy cold. A perfect antidote for the probably hungover party-goers.
Now it offers a cool, quiet seating area where you could relax and watch the world go by. Take a picnic maybe, there are any number of lovely spots to be able to enjoy one.
What Should You Bring on a Picnic?
You are able too, to organise, with the help of course of events staff at Painswick your own private parties and celebrations that can be held in the gardens. A glorious venue for any outdoor get together with friends and family. So why not make it a picnic?
The cafe is housed in old stables, in February when I visited last, there was a log burner roaring away, making the cafe very inviting and cosy.
The staff are polite and friendly.
Home made cakes are served as well as light lunches and snacks.
The homemade soup was absolutely delicious and, I believe made with produce from the gardens.
There is a small shop with a selection of quality plants, gifts and preserves.
Further Information
The Cafe and Shop are both accessible to wheelchairs.
There is an accessible toilet on site.
Painswick Gardens were created in a hidden valley over 250 years ago and as such their very nature consists of steep paths and uneven surfaces.
It is estimated that around twenty percent of the garden is accessible to wheelchairs.
There are handrails on the steepest slopes and there lots of benches dotted around the garden for anyone who finds that they may need a rest.
It is not recommended to attempt to visit the garden if you use a motorised scooter due to the nature of the terrain.
Well-behaved dogs on leads, along with their well-behaved owners are welcome at Painswick. Snacks for dogs are available at the cafe.
Places to Stay Near Painswick Gardens
The Painswick Hotel and Restaurant.
Painswick.
A rather luxurious Cotswold hotel. Nestled very nicely in the ‘Queen of the Cotswold’ village of Painswick, this Palladian house is a lovely, welcoming home-from-home.
Roaring fires, sumptuous sofas and sixteen well-appointed bedrooms.
Court House Manor
Hale Lane,
Painswick.
Located in the centre of picturesque Painswick, the Court House Manor Hotel is a stunning 17th Century building offering unique rooms, perfectly situated for a Cotswold getaway.
Painswick village is very quaint and quintessentially English. It boasts several small shops, cafes and Bed and Breakfast.
For Holiday Cottages in the Painswick area please visit:
Holiday Cottages
Painswick Rococo Gardens are a unique insight to this flamboyant design style and well worth a visit. I have visited this garden several times when I have been in the area at different times of year and have always been delighted by it.
It never seems to be overcrowded, always peaceful and I always find something new, be it seasonal plants or discovering a different path to venture along.
It isn’t huge, you can see most of it within an afternoon but It is truly a hidden gem.
I hope you find this article useful, please do visit if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Please share with friends and family and drop me a comment or any questions in the comments box below.
Thank you.
Opening Times
Opening times
Daily except Saturday 25th May 2019, when we will be closed all day.
• 10th January – 31st October, 10.30am – 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm)
• 1st November – 1st December, 10.30am – 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm)
Admission Fees
2019
Adults £9.90 incl Gift Aid £8.95 excl Gift Aid
Children 4-16 years £4.50 incl Gift Aid £4.00 excl Gift Aid
Family 2+4 £24.95 incl Gift aid £21.95 excl Gift Aid
RHS Members have free entry from March 1st to November 30th
Address
Painswick Rococo Gardens
Gloucester Road,
Painswick
GL6 6TH,
England
Hi Louise,
Lovely crafted travel blog there, when we travel to the UK down the track, I can certainly see myself visiting.
The idyllic setting definitely provides a postcard-like backdrop.
It reminds me a little bit of a flower festival that is held in Canberra, Australia.
I look forward to one day being able to stay at the Cotswold Hotel and experience one of those roaring fires firsthand.
Cheers
Shane
Hi Shane, thank you for your comments, there really are some beautiful places to visit here. The cotswolds are so pretty and quaint, its like going back in time a few hundred years. Painswick Gardens are well worth a visit.
All the best
Louise
You painted an enticing picture for Painswick Rococo Gardens. The sound of all those edible fruits and vegetables made me want to be there right now. I recently read an article about edible flowers. I wonder if these gardens have any of these.
I can imagine the nobility of the 18th Century partying out in those facilities. What a beautiful backdrop to enjoy the company of friends and family. Their website provided a video of the Gardens and it was beautiful. I loved the maze there. The 7 arch structure was definitely the focal point of the place. I wonder if this was the remains of a more extensive structure. Or was that build just for decoration.
Although I lived in England and visited the Cotswolds many times I never heard of Painswick Rococo Gardens. My favorite place was the de La Bere Hotel where I stayed many times visiting on business. I wish I had known about this place at that time. The Cotswolds is one of my favorite areas in England.
Hello Edwin,
I too imagine all the parties and socialising that went on in these gardens. the arch is purely decorative and is a beautiful focal point. There are many other fillies and structures all with tantalising views of the surrounding landscape.
Maybe you will be over here again some time and you can pay a visit.
Thank you for your comments.
Louise
One word – Lovely! With all your description, I feel like the era of Classic Novel is brought up to life. There are so many things to see in one place. I searched more about it and I found out that once you enter and pull into the carpark, you will see cows and sheeps grazing in the field, and even the birds are singing. How spectacular is that. I would love to go there and check out the stunning landscapes, beautiful scenery and old buildings.
Thanks for a very detailed review of this whimsical island. It seems good to go anytime of the year. You even put the amount of entrance fee which I think is not really expensive if you are looking for a change of sight and serenity. You have been visiting the place for many times, in your own experience what do you think is the best season to visit?
Hello MissusB,
Thank you for your kind comments. Yes indeed you can see cows and sheep on neighbouring farm land. There is a beautiful old Manor house too but that isn’t open to the public.
In answer to your question of when is the best time to go… Well, for me it was in February when all the snowdrops were out in the winds, literally carpets of them, so pretty.
All the Best
Louise