Cotswold Way - Painwick

The trip from Birdlip to Painswick was reasonably short. Less than 10mi (16km) and most of it was through beautiful beech woodland.

One of my stops was Cooper’s Hill. If you recall, I mentioned the Gloucester cheese back in Winchcombe. Well, this very popular cheese makes an even bigger appearance each spring when a collection of brave or maybe a little crazy individuals engage in a 200-yard race down the extremely steep Cooper’s Hill chasing a roll of Double Gloucester cheese. As you might imagine, First Aid officers and plenty of ambulances are on standby. But the winner gets to keep the cheese. 

Painswick is a picturesque town that originally grew from wool trading. It is also the midpoint of the Cotswold Way. Located on a hill overlooking Painswick Valley, the town has narrow streets and typical Cotswold stone architecture. The local parish churchyard is known for its ancient and beautifully manicured yew trees. A pyramidal tomb stands out amongst the trees and the local post office occupies a 15th century half-timbered building.
 

Northeast of town is the 18th century Rococo Garden. Originally established during the Rococo period, when palatial homes and gardens were built and decorated with flamboyance and extravagance, this grand garden was a playground for entertainment and partying. As fashions changed, so did the garden until it was abandoned in the 1950s and over the succeeding decades it was left to overgrow. Restoration began in the late 20th century bringing it back to its original layout. A 1748 painting of the original garden was used as the basis of the restoration. Today, the garden is the only surviving Rococo Garden open to the public complete with a maze, a hidden valley and surrounded by woodland.

 

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