Painswick Rococo Garden
A whimsical and exotic Georgian garden.
Gloucester Road, Painswick, Gloucestershire, GL6 6TH
Facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Garden only
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
Painswick Rococo Garden is the country’s sole surviving complete rococo garden.
Designed in the 1740s as a fanciful pleasure garden for Benjamin Hyett and his guests, this hidden valley offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and intriguing garden buildings.
A visit to Painswick Rococo Garden will take you back to the elegance and sophistication of the early 1700s. This was a time when gardens were fashionable theatrical sets, providing a stunning backdrop to decadent garden parties.
Instead of a flower garden, you will happen across a stunning vegetable garden, beautifully-framed views of the surrounding countryside and fanciful garden buildings.
You can lose yourself amongst the lofty trees of our leafy woodland walk and watch friends and family battle to find the centre of our unusual maze.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Opening Times
Standard Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm). Please note that opening times and days may vary seasonally.
Special Opening Periods
May Half Term (20–31 May): The garden opens daily during this period, extending to include Monday and Tuesday alongside the standard Wednesday–Sunday schedule.
Early Closure (Saturday 13 June): The garden will close at 3pm (last admission 2pm) for a performance.
Snowdrop Season (January & February)
January and February are peak months for snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Garden. Snowdrops typically begin flowering in late January, though a mild winter may see them appear several weeks earlier. The garden reopens in January as the first snowdrops emerge, with February showcasing them at their stunning best. Visitors are advised to check social media for the latest snowdrop updates.
Please note: Advance booking is required during the snowdrop season, though exact dates are linked to flowering conditions.
Seasonal Highlights
- January: Garden reopens with first snowdrops flowering
- February: Snowdrops at their best, with cyclamen coum and hellebores in bloom
- March: Hellebores, cyclamen, and daffodils carpeting the orchard and banks
- April: Over 9,000 spring bulbs in the Exedra Garden, cowslips and bluebells
- May: Aquilegia, upright iris towards the end of the month, sweet william in the Exedra Garden
- June: Heritage roses in the Exedra Garden, lavender, astrantia, campanula, wildflower meadow with orchids, grapes forming in the vineyard, and day lilies
- July: Heritage roses continuing, hollyhocks, globe thistle, scabious, sweet peas, bergamot, and summer jasmine
- August: Late-flowering plants including Michaelmas daisies and Helianthus Lemon Queen, with autumn cyclamen appearing later in the month
- September: Crescendo of colour in the Exedra Garden, trees turning red and gold, and heritage fruits ripening
- October: Colourful flowers continuing until the first frosts, with spectacular autumn leaves
- November: Days growing shorter as the garden prepares for winter hibernation, with deciduous trees shedding their leaves
Weather-Related Closures
The garden may close unexpectedly due to high winds at any time. Ticket holders will be contacted if such a closure occurs.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
| Tickets | Gift Aid Admission* | Non Gift Aid Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £10.60 | £9.60 |
| Seniors (60+) | £9.30 | £8.40 |
| Student (NUS) | £6.70 | £6.00 |
| Children (4 to 16) | £4.90 | £4.40 |
| Family (2ad + 4ch) | £27.25 | £24.70 |
| Group (of 20+) | N/A | £8.20 |
We are delighted to welcome groups and coach parties throughout the year. Parties can enjoy:
- Discounted admission for groups of 20+
- Free introductory talk on arrival
- Good value catering packages when pre-booked
- Free admission for your driver or group leader.
For those hungry for knowledge, we offer specialist tours which will enhance your visit.
All group visits must be pre-booked and confirmed in writing.
Getting here
Gloucester Road, Painswick, Gloucestershire, GL6 6TH
By car: sat nav to GL6 6TH or follow the brown tourism signs on all major approach routes. The nearest motorway junction is M5 J11a (10mins). We have a free car park.
By train: our nearest station is Stroud (5 miles)
By bus: Stagecoach service 61 from Cheltenham to Stroud and beyond
On foot: we are in lovely walking territory and just off the Cotswold Way. Follow the signs to us from the corner of Golf Course Road and Gloucester Rd.
Become a Historic Houses member
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