The Painswick






Whenever we travel through the Stroud Valley in the Cotswolds, we always visit the beautiful, historic town of Painswick.
In the heart of this quintessential wool town, the Painswick Hotel is the perfect escape in the Gloucestershire countryside.
We love staying and dining at this luxurious hotel.
Especially because, when we arrive with our muddy boots, completely drenched after a long walk, they always make us feel most welcome.
Even when you are not inclined to stay the night, go for lunch or diner at the Painswick because the food is exceptional!
It not only looks good, but it tastes wonderful.


Painswick town
Perched regally at the edge of the steep slopes of the Painswick Valley, Painswick is known as ‘The Queen of the Cotswolds’.
Built from mellow honey-coloured stone quarried from nearby Painswick Beacon, Painswick is the most Dickensian in character of all the Cotswold villages.
The most striking feature of Painswick are the clipped colonnades of yew, which have graced the churchyard of the St Mary’s Church since 1792.
Just outside the town is Painswick Rococo Garden, the landscaped 18th century garden around Painswick House.
Walking
Sitting halfway along the Cotswold Way National Trail, Painswick is surrounded by marvellous walking country and is a great base for walkers.
Nearby is Painswick Beacon, site of an Iron Age hill fort.
A pleasant 4-mile circular walk begins in the heart of Painswick and follows part of the Cotswold Way. It leads you through woodland, across a golf course and past a quarry.
You will then reach the wild common of Painswick Beacon before making one final climb to the top of the hill.
Here you will enjoy magnificent views across the Severn Valley to the Welsh mountains.
Or head towards the neighbouring village of Slad.
A lovely 6,5-mile circular walk will lead you through Slad Valley, one of the least spoiled parts of the Cotswolds.
The tiny village of Slad centres around the Woolpack Inn. This is a perfect place to stop for lunch.
If you are up for a challenge, then you should head for Sheepscombe.
A strenuous 10-mile circular will take you through Sheepscombe Valley towards the village of Cranham and uphill to Coopers Hill. Then onwards towards Painswick Beacon.
Do stop at the Butchers Arms in Sheepscombe for a lunch break.
The Cotswold Way
Many of the forementioned walks follow the Cotswold Way.
The Cotswold Way is a scenic 102-mile route through quiet Cotswold countryside following the ridge through the Cotswolds AONB via the villages of Broadway, Winchcombe, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge.
It starts at Chipping Campden and ends at Bath.
Section 8 of the Cotswold Way runs from Birdlip to Painswick, a linear 8.6-mile walk.
From Birdlip, the Trail passes through magnificent semi-natural beech woodlands and on to Coopers Hill.
The route then emerges onto the common land and golf course of Painswick Beacon. The section then ends in Painswick, the mid-point of the Cotswold Way.
The Wysis Way
In Sheepscombe you can join the Wysis Way.
The Wysis Way runs for 55 miles (88km) through the lovely and very distinctive areas of the Forest of Dean, Severn Vale and Cotswolds.
It connects two great National Trails, Offa’s Dyke Path and the Thames Path.
Section 3 of the Wysis Way begins in Gloucester and heads southeast, passing Robinswood Hill and Painswick Beacon on the way to the destination of Bisley.
Cool Places to Explore: Cheltenham | Bibury | Stow-on-the-Wold | Bourton-on-the-Water | Hidcote Manor Gardens.