Are you walking the Cotswold Way? If you are, you will probably have tired feet by the time you reach Painswick.  Why not take a rest day and recharge the batteries with a gentle stroll exploring the winding streets with its range of quirky shops and interesting places to eat or you could try one of the following ideas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information about Painswick and the Cotswolds click on the links below:

 

www.cotswolds.info/places/painswick.shtml

www.cotswoldwalks.com

www.visitthecotswolds.org.uk

www.thecotswoldgateway.co.uk

Option 1.  

A short circular walk (2 1/2 miles) taking in fine views down the Painswick Valley, along a delightful path through fields of wild flowers grazed by sheep and passing ancient Cotswold stone farmsteads along the way.  You can stop for lunch or tea at the Rococo Gardens and then spend an hour or two exploring the garden, full of secret hideaways, enchantment and abundant wild life.  From January to April there are spectacular carpets of Snowdrops.

 

Option 2.

A circular walk of around 5 miles through the winding Painswick streets and down into the valley with grassy fields bordered by hedges and dry stonewalls.  Up into the famous beech woods (now a nature reserve) with spectacular views down the Painswick valley and on to Slad for a pint or lunch at the Woolpack Inn, the writer Laurie Lee’s watering hole. For the keen walker there is a further 4 mile loop through the beautiful Slad valley or have another pint and meander back home by a shorter route.

 

Option 3.

A circular walk to Cranham (approx 6 miles).  Take a path up through beech and oak woods which open out onto common land with abundant wild flowers and rare butterflies in spring and summer.  Follow this up to the prehistoric fort on the Painswick Beacon. There are far reaching views down the Severn Valley towards Bristol and across to The Forest of Dean and Wales in the distance.  On through woods to The Black Horse at Cranham for a charming village pub lunch and then back along the Painswick Stream which winds its way through hidden valleys and ancient mills.  

 

 

Option 4.

Golf.   The Painswick Golf course is situated on the common land above Painswick village and a short walk from St Annes.  You can buy a day pass for a round of golf on the beautiful 18-hole course and enjoy great views at the same time.  Have lunch afterwards in a traditional country pub or take a picnic up on to the Beacon.