Things to Do in Painswick Village Including Walks & Nice Pubs

Painswick is a beautiful place to visit in Gloucestershire’s Cotswolds. Especially if you enjoy hiking, pretty buildings and picturesque countryside. Painswick is one of England’s oldest Wool Towns; money from the wool industry enabled many pleasant buildings to be built in the town.

Painswick is one of many nice places to visit on the famous Cotswold Way Walk. This 102-mile long-distance walking trail traverses the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire. It’s a fantastic place for a walk in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. The village is also dog-friendly, with local cafes, pubs, and restaurants that welcome pets, and the area is great for dog walking.

The Gloucestershire town of Painswick has many historic Cotswold stone buildings. The town’s focal point is St Mary’s Church, a fantastic building to visit. Its churchyard is special and home to 99 yew trees, making it a distinctive landscape. You can also visit some of the town’s museums and the popular Rococo Gardens. It has some friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants to eat out.

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Things To Do In Painswick

Painswick has many attractions and things to do. These include beautiful walks in the Cotswold countryside.

The Cotswold Way Walk

From Painswick, you can head in both directions along the long-distance Cotswold Way hiking trail. The pretty village is actually the halfway point of the 102-mile-long walking route. The section of the route from Whiteshill to Painswick via Randwick Woods and Haresfield Beacon is beautiful. This route has it all: forest, open countryside and some splendid views. You can also see birds of prey doing their thing along the way.

Heading the other way on the trail can eventually take you to the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden. For a shorter day hike, you can visit Painswick Beacon or head to Birdlip via picturesque woodland. Gloucestershire has many other great walks.

St Mary’s Church & Churchyard

In the centre of the town is St Mary’s Church, a fantastic place to visit, especially inside and through the churchyard. St Mary’s Church has a beautiful churchyard with historic tombs and 99 yew trees; legend says 100 will not grow. The churchyard attracts tourists from around the world for good reason. It’s very picturesque.

The churchyard also has a historic timber-framed building with inscriptions on its walls. This is where visitors can find the tourist information centre and church rooms. Just outside the walls are some fascinating stocks. It is also home to the village war memorial, which is a nice place to sit nearby.

The Rococo Gardens

Just outside the principal town is the popular tourist attraction, Painswick Rococo Gardens. It’s a unique place to visit for a day out and can be quirky in places. They designed the Rococo Gardens in the 1740s as a pleasure garden for the owner of Painswick House and their many guests.

Today, guests are tourists who can roam freely and enjoy the gardens. You can enjoy the stunning gardens and take in some nature while you visit. The site also offers fantastic views of the local Cotswold Hills. The gardens are well known for seeing snowdrops in bloom, which burst into flower each January. They apparently have 5 million of these beautiful flowers. Each season brings new flowers and sights. You can find out more on their website.

Walk And Enjoy the Views on Painswick Beacon

From the town centre, you can walk along the Cotswold Way to Painswick Beacon, a lovely place for a walk. Painswick Beacon has some amazing views of the nearby countryside. The beacon has a golf course and many trails and is also a great place for a picnic. When it occasionally snows, the beacon’s slopes are great fun to sledge down.

Buildings On New Street

The main road through the village, running alongside the churchyard, has some pretty special buildings. These include Tudor timber-framed houses and other buildings made from Cotswold stone. New Street also has the bus stop for Stroud and onward travel.

Pubs, Cafes & Restaurants

There are options for places for a drink or food while visiting Painswick. There are also others you can visit while enjoying a walk in the area. Many of these establishments are pet-friendly.

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak in Painswick is a village pub that serves great food and beer. It’s a nice place to stop for a rest if you’re sightseeing or hiking nearby. They have a fantastic range of drinks, including local beers, ciders and lagers. The Royal Oak also has a daily food menu on their blackboard, which changes frequently. This includes some great hearty meal options like venison steak or beef rib. They also have cakes, which are a great snack while walking in the area. Inside, The Royal Oak is cosy with a fireplace during the colder months. They also have an outside courtyard to the rear of the pub, which is ideal on a warm summer’s day.

The Falcon Inn

On New Street near the parish church is The Falcon Inn, a pleasant place for food or a drink. It has a bar area, an indoor restaurant, and outdoor seating. The Falcon Inn has a good range of drinks, including beer, wine, and cider. Their restaurant menu is nice and includes lots of fresh, locally sourced food. They also do a Sunday roast each weekend, which is rather popular with walkers in the area.

The Edgemoor Inn

Between Haresfield and Painswick is a fantastic pub and restaurant, The Edgemoor Inn. They serve delicious food and local beers, and their dog-friendly beer garden is a great spot. As a bonus, the views towards the village from their garden and dining area are special.

Where To Stay Nearby

The village inns are a fantastic choice, including the dog-friendly Falcon Inn. You can also stay in many other places, including holiday homes. You can find many options on Booking.com.

A Unique Place To Stay – Painswick Glamping

For a unique glamping experience in the heart of the Cotswolds. The Mill Pool offers the perfect environment to get back to nature. The glamping site is in peaceful surroundings for a relaxing break. Their site is only a half-mile walk from the village of Painswick. The site’s accommodation includes an eco-friendly camping pod which blends into the surrounding rural setting. This has a spacious decking area for dining and a fire pit to relax around. More info…