Welcome to Painswick Rococo Garden - England’s sole surviving rococo garden which is open to the public all year around. The Garden is on the Historic England Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest. Not your typical English garden, Painswick was designed by Benjamin Hyett in the 1700s to be used as an extravagant background for his lavishing parties with its pretty vegetable garden, intricate outdoor buildings and unusual (but ever so fun!) maze.
Rococo was a lively period of art which was fashionable in Europe in the 18th century – it celebrated art, beauty and sexuality through an array of pastel colours and asymmetrical shapes. Painswick Rococo Garden is one of the last of its kind and underwent a huge transformation which replaced its traditional English flower beds with vegetable gardens and unique buildings. Today, the garden is still preserved in its 1740s transformation’s vision and is open for visitors to experience what one of the Hyett’s family guests would have during one of their flamboyant garden parties.
Though littered with quirky and fanciful garden features, the garden is still a place of peace and tranquillity which you can enjoy in a variety of ways. Take a stroll through the leafy woodland walk, pay attention to the beautifully framed views of the surrounding countryside or take a seat in one of the pretty garden buildings and listen to birds singing. Be sure to have a glace at Painswick’s website where they have an online calendar which keeps you up to date on events as well as what plants and flowers will be in bloom during each month and season. In addition, there are some interesting courses to take part in – our favourites are the on-site painting and sculpting lessons!
Once you’ve had a day of exploring, you can tuck into a tasty snack at the pretty, little café which offers light lunches, handmade cakes and freshly ground coffee. If you were inspired during your amble around the lovely gardens, there is also a wonderful selection of plants at the gift shop to take home.
Feeling inspired? Take a peek at our glorious retreats in Gloucestershire here.
Painswick Rococo Garden, Painswick, Gloucestershire, GL6 6TH | 01452 813204 | www.rococogarden.org.uk
Photo Credit © Mark Holland
