Painswick - Queen of the Cotswolds

3rd June 2016

Painswick, the Queen of the Cotswolds
The Queen of the Cotswolds - a deserving name for the quaint, almost unbelievably pretty, village of Painswick.  Only six miles from Cheltenham and surrounded by grand National Trust woodland, you would be forgiven for thinking that Painswick is a sleepy village in the Cotswolds but it is, in fact, far from that! Painswick is home to some excellent businesses, shops, eateries, places to stay as well as the most vibrant countryside in Cotswolds.

Painswick makes the perfect vacation retreat or weekend escape and while there are many places to visit and things to do in the Cotswolds, do make sure Painswick is on your list of places t go and that these hotspots are on your list of things to do.

Eat
When you find your stomach growling for something delicious, make your way to New Street in the centre of Painswick.  This is where you will find pubs, restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that are sure to satisfy any craving.

The Painswick is all about breaking the rules, turning traditional dishes onto themselves in a contemporary contradiction of the “norm.”  Taste or feast at this Smorgasbord inspired restaurant that use fresh ingredients to create guilt-free savoury and sweet indulgences. Fancy an afternoon tea?  The Painswick is THE place to step out onto the terrace for unique tea party.

The Falcon Inn is a place for traditional home-cooked British treats made with the freshest ingredients. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, all patrons can divulge into their favourite dishes – to the very last mouthful.  The Falcon offers a wide selection of wines, ciders and ales to enhance your meal and palate.

The Patchwork Mouse Art Café could be in either of the eat or play categories, but one thing is for sure, they are more than ‘just’ coffee.  With a library for concentrated reading or contemplating life’s many enigmas, this art café brings art and coffee to each customer.  Sip a sweet mocha, grab a Nom Nom’s cupcake, and take in the art and culture that line the cafés walls.

Olivas Moon Fruit is the perfect place to bring the entire family, no matter what their cuisine preference. Serving everything from traditional breakfast and finger licking good barbeque to a plentiful tapas bar and speciality cakes made every day for any celebration. Enjoy a waited service to step out onto the patio and watch the world go by as you sip a hot cup of coffee.

Play
Painswick features many activities to enjoy the village including walking among the historical landmarks, visiting the impressive parish church and ornamental churchyard.  All views of Painswick will take your breath away.

A pleasure to any visitor or local, is the Painswick Rococo Garden – the country’s sole surviving complete rococo garden.  Designed in the 1740s to be an entertainment venue for Benjamin Hyett and his many guests, the garden provided a beautiful backdrop to lavish garden parties. Today, the garden boast vegetables, flowers, and leafy woodlands – perfect for an afternoon stroll or an adventure to the centre of the garden’s maze.  After all that walking, twists and turns, take a break in the cosy café for a bite to eat.

What started as a small gift shop at The Falcon Inn, Meggie’s Shop has turned into a boutique’y gift shop that is frequented by tourists and locals alike. Beautiful gift ideas from cards and home interior to accessories and jewellery… and much more!  Hand-crafted and made with care, Meggie’s style is sure to fit yours.

We can’t have a play section without mentioning Art Couture Painswick (ACP).  It’s self-proclaimed “canvas for creativity” celebrates and inspires wearable art and is committed to engaging the community to create opportunities for aspiring artists.  Every year since 2010, they play host to the biggest, most extravagant and innovative festival that lights up the streets of Painswick with wonder and community spirit.  The festival features stage shows and displays of fascinating fashion that are judged before a celebrity panel. Not in town for the festival?  Step inside the year-round gallery to get a glimpse of the spectacle that takes place in Painswick’s summer streets.

No matter where you find yourself in Painswick, you are not far from delicious food, thirst-quenching wine and ale, and activities that will submerse yourself into the local art and culture of the wonderful village of Painswick.

Stay
For a village the size of Painswick, you have some wonderful choices of accommodation.
There is, of course, the newly refurbished and rather fabulous The Painswick, a wonderful, modern and on-trend hotel that offers rooms with some of the most stunning views in all of the Cotswolds.

For your self-catering option, Manor Cottages has a couple of wonderful Cotswold cottages in Painswick, Lakeside Cottage and Prospect House, both fabulous properties that offer their guests everything they could possibly ask for in terms of countryside views, comfort and convenience.

St Anne’s Bed & Breakfast is a picture-perfect former wool merchant’s house built in the 18th century and located right in the heart of Painswick. Listed in Alastair Sawday’s Guide and offering the very best in service and convenience.

The Courthouse Manor is a luxurious and outstanding Bed & Breakfast with a restaurant and truly anything you could ever need, want or wish for on your stay in Painswick.

And another that is definitely worth a mention is dining pub with rooms, The Falcon Inn. Beautifully and tastefully decorated throughout, located in the very centre of Painswick, right on the main street.

Picture Perfect Painswick, as seen by Mette Poynton of Cotswolds Concierge.