Painswick in the Cotswolds: A Picturesque Town With Nice Pubs

If you enjoy pretty places, friendly pubs and walks, then Painswick is a great place to visit. Painswick is a picturesque town in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, and there are plenty of things to do. They sometimes call the town the “Queen of the Cotswolds”, and it is one of England’s oldest wool towns. Wealth from the wool industry enabled lots of special buildings to be built in the town.

Painswick sits on the famous Cotswold Way, a 102-mile hiking trail. It’s a fantastic place to walk along the way. The town is also dog-friendly, with many pubs & restaurants welcoming pets. Also, the dog walking in the area is fantastic.

Painswick has many well-preserved historic Cotswold stone buildings to see when you visit. The centrepiece of the town is St Mary’s Church, a fantastic place to visit. Its churchyard is rather special and is 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.

I’ve visited many times while hiking in the area and also spent a few days out mooching around the town. My last visit included a hike from Randwick Woods via Haresfield Beacon. This followed the marked trail through some beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. This involved taking a bus to reach the start point and back afterwards.

Things to Do in Painswick

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There’s plenty to do in Painswick, including some fantastic walks. You can also find options nearby in the Cotswolds. These include fantastic tours available on the Viator website.

Walk The Cotswold Way Walk

From Painswick, you can head either way along the long-distance hiking trail. The town is actually the halfway point of the 102-mile-long trail.

I really enjoy the section from Whiteshill to Painswick via Randwick Woods and Haresfield Beacon. The route has it all: forest, open countryside and some breathtaking views. Between Haresfield and Painswick is a fantastic country pub, The Edgemoor Inn. They serve great food and local beers, and their dog-friendly beer garden is a real treat. As a bonus, the views from their terrace are spectacular.

Heading the other way on the trail can eventually take you to Chipping Campden. For a local day hike, you can see the breathtaking Painswick Beacon or head to Birdlip via woodland. Gloucestershire also offers many other great walks.

Visit 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. The churchyard is rather special and is home to 99 yew trees, making it a unique landscape.

A picturesque churchyard surrounds St Mary’s Church. The churchyard has historic tombs and the legendary 99 yew trees. Apparently, 100 will not grow. The churchyard attracts tourists from around the world for good reason. It’s lovely.

The Beacon Benefice is a gate to the churchyard and is rather nice to see. It is a historical timber-framed building with some lovely inscriptions on its walls. This is near the tourist information office and church rooms.

Rococo Gardens

One of the most popular things to do in Painswick is to visit the Rococo Gardens. The Rococo Gardens are a popular tourist attraction just outside of the town. I’ve visited a few times and thought it was beautiful, especially when the snowdrops are blooming. Rococo Gardens is an 18th-century garden that dates from 1740.

The gardens are beautiful, with views of the nearby countryside. You can purchase a simple ticket on their website or, for something fancier, organise afternoon tea. Painswick Rococo Gardens also hosts special events throughout the year.

The Stocks

Just outside the churchyard wall are the stocks, a Grade II listed site. They date to the 19th century and consist of leg irons. A stone against the wall marks where the person in the stocks sat.

They placed these stocks at their current site in 1840. They are made of iron and, because of their shape, are called spectacle stocks. According to signs in the village, they are exceedingly rare, with only one other similar set known. Sadly, I could find no information or fables about people who ended up in them.

Watch The Sunset

During my visit, I was lucky enough to catch a good early sunset. One benefit of winter travel is that the sunset is early. The late sun really lit up the Cotswold stone houses throughout the town. The churchyard and church looked rather special too, especially the timber-framed gatehouse. Regrettably, as this was a day trip, I missed all the other spots nearby for sunrise, but I imagine anywhere with a south-facing slope is special on a clear evening.

Walks & Views on Painswick Beacon

A pleasant walk from the centre of town is Painswick Beacon, a great place to visit. The walk takes just under an hour and follows the Cotswold Way route. Painswick Beacon is 920 feet high and is a wonderful viewpoint. The beacon is also on the Wysis Way walking trail, which links the Offa’s Dyke trail with the Thames Path, which are both national trails.

The peak was once home to an Iron Age hillfort built around 400 BC. In addition to walking, you can enjoy wildflowers and butterflies. We have also enjoyed sledging on the hill when it occasionally snowed in the area.

Pubs & Restaurants in Painswick

There are pubs and restaurants in town, as well as others on nearby walks. Many of these are dog-friendly both inside and outside.

The Oak: A Dog-Friendly Pub

The Oak in Painswick is a friendly country pub that’s great for a drink or a meal while hiking in the area. It’s dog-friendly and often has multiple canine guests. The Oak has a fantastic range of drinks, including local ales, cider and lager, including Moretti.

They also have a daily food menu on their blackboard, which changes frequently. This includes some great hearty meat options like venison steak or beef rib. Inside, The 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: A Nice Pub

The Falcon Inn is on New Street, near the church. The Falcon Inn is a fantastic place for food or a drink. They have a cosy bar area, a nice indoor restaurant, and an outdoor seating area. The Falcon Inn has a good range of drinks, including beer, wine, and cider. They also have Offshore, a lovely Cornish beer, which I duly obliged.

Their food menu is nice and includes lots of fresh, locally sourced food. They also do a Sunday roast each weekend. The pub is partially dog-friendly in specific areas, and it also has rooms to stay, all of which are pet-friendly.

St Michael’s

Another place for food and drink in the centre of town is St Michael’s Bistro & Restaurant. It is near the church and the town’s main sights. They have a cute restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seats have special views of the town. St Michael’s Restaurant has a fantastic menu of food and drinks.

Their food includes delicious steaks and other tasty main courses. They also offer a good selection of vegetarian meals. You can also stay the night at St Michael’s Restaurant & B&B. They provide a 4-star bed-and-breakfast service with lovely rooms. You can find out more about their holiday accommodation on Booking.com.

Is Painswick Worth Visiting?

As a local, Painswick is one of my favourite places to visit in the Cotswolds. The town is beautiful, with plenty to do. My favourite activity here is to enjoy a walk in the nearby hills, including on the Beacon. It also has some wonderful pubs for post-walk beers and even for dining out.