Nestling in the Cotswold Hills between Cheltenham and Stroud, it’s no wonder the beautiful mellow limestone buildings of this historic town have made Painswick ‘the Queen of the Cotswolds’.

In the meandering narrow streets, medieval cottages sit amidst Wool Merchant’s houses, complete with ‘donkey doors’, testament to Painswick’s once flourishing wool and cloth trade.

Whether you want history, culture, local crafts, natural beauty or quiet relaxation – a stay in Painswick at St. Michael’s offers it all.

Painswick and immediate locale

As a top Cotswold destination, we have our own Tourist Information Centre. You’ll find it in the former Grave Digger’s Hut, in St Mary’s churchyard, to the right-hand side of the church, as you walk towards the car park in Stamages lane. Painswick highlights in the immediate locale include…

St Mary’s Church

Originally built in the 14th-century, the Norman parish church of St Mary is steeped in history. Look closely at the spire – the scar was left by a Cromwellian cannonball. The 99 meticulously-sculpted mature Yew trees (many three hundred years old) frame a network of beautiful, cinematic avenues tracing through the church grounds. Local legend goes that a hundredth Yew will never appear here – as devil will never let it grow…If you are staying with us on a shrove Tuesday don’t miss Painswick’s rare and ancient ‘Clipping the church’ ceremony where local children join hands to encircle the building to give thanks.

PainswickACP Gallery

step in to in the Painswick Centre to explore a fascinating collection of award-winning Art Couture displays, plus exceptional quality regional crafts and local gifts for purchase.

National Trust Woodlands

Discover more than 140 designated footpaths criss-crossing the Painswick area

Painswick Beacon

Take a 10-minute walk across the 18-hole golf course to the roof of the Cotswolds. With amazing views of the Severn valley, on a clear day you can see right across to hills in Wales, Shropshire and Somerset. There’s also riding stables, a tennis court and a bowling green close by.

Rococo Gardens

Wander round the spectacular early 18th-century landscaped gardens at Painswick house. Open year round, with carpets of snowdrops and in winter and early spring.

Cotswolds Way

Take a stroll along a section of the legendary 100 mile waymarked path that passes directly through the village on its journey from Bath to Chipping Camden.

My boots are made for walking

Would you like to explore the Cotswold and go out and about whilst staying at St. Michaels in Painswick? You can literally walk for miles and days. If you plan on walking in the area can we suggest this website that gives some great small walks in and around the Stroud 5 valleys, some of them starting right on our doorstep.

Download Route

Slad Valley

Explore the area and wild flowers made famous by Laurie Lee’s book Cider with Rosie.

Other major destinations nearby…

Cheltenham Spa

Regency architecture and gardens, the Promenade, theatres, boutique shopping, malls, fine restaurants, the Wilson Gallery and Museum, year-round cultural festivals, Cheltenham race meetings…

Oxford

The University and Colleges, Blenheim Palace, Pitt Rivers Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Botanic Garden, Punting, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bicester Village Shopping Centre…

Gloucester

The Cathedral, the docks and Waterways museum, St. Oswald’s Priory, Barnwood Park and Arboretum, Gloucester Quays retail complex…

Bath

The Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa, Royal Crescent and The Circus, Bath Abbey, Prior Park, Holburne Museum, Victoria Art Gallery…

And don’t forget there’s also Stratford-upon Avon, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh too…