Painswick and Painswick Beacon

About trip

Moderate difficulty

4.7 miles

Summary: The village of Painswick is affectionately known as the Queen of the Cotswolds. The village originally grew as a result of the wool trade but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees and the local Rococo Garden. The village is mainly constructed of locally quarried Cotswold stone. Many of the buildings feature south-facing attic rooms once used as weavers' workshops. Geographically Painswick is situated on a hill in the Stroud district, overlooking the Stroud valleys. Its narrow streets and traditional architecture make it the epitome of the English village. There is a golf course near the Painswick Beacon and that is where the walk takes us but only after a circular excursion of the wonderful surrounding countryside. The walk also goes through Paradise, so named by King Charles 1st who on seeing the beautiful valley to the east said "This must be Paradise". How can I argue, it is the most gorgeous countryside.