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.
Regular Opening Hours
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm (last admission 4pm). Please note that opening times and days may vary seasonally.
Extended Opening – May Half Term
The garden opens daily from 25 - 31 May, 10am - 5pm. During this period, visitors can enjoy Buzzly Bee's Busy Trail, a special May Half Term activity running from 23 - 31 May 2026.
Seasonal Highlights
January: The garden reopens for the new year. Snowdrops usually begin flowering in late January, though a mild winter may see them appear earlier. Visit Snowdrop Grove in the late afternoon to enjoy the low winter sun.
February: Snowdrops reach their stunning peak, accompanied by cyclamen coum and hellebores in bloom.
March: Daffodils carpet the orchard and banks. With trees still bare, the garden's design skeleton becomes beautifully visible.
April: Over 9,000 spring bulbs create a spectacular display in the Exedra Garden. Cowslips and bluebells flourish in wooded areas and meadows.
May: The garden bursts with colour and fresh growth on spring shrubs. Aquilegia flowers, and blue and yellow upright iris appear towards the end of the month. The Exedra Garden is filled with the scent of sweet william.
June: Heritage roses begin to bloom in the Exedra Garden. The wildflower meadow fills with orchids, and early salad crops from the kitchen garden reach the café.
July: Often the hottest month of the year. Heritage roses continue to bloom alongside hollyhocks, globe thistle, and scabious in the borders. Sweet peas, bergamot, and summer flowering jasmine add to the display.
August: Michaelmas daisies and Helianthus Lemon Queen bloom, with autumn cyclamen appearing later in the month.
September: African marigolds, mirabilis jalapa, and salvia horminum Oxford Blue flower throughout the garden. Trees begin to turn red and gold, while heritage fruits in the kitchen garden swell and ripen.
October: Colourful flowers in the Exedra Garden continue to bloom until the first frosts. Autumn leaves of native and exotic tree species turn to warm golds and reds.
November: Days grow shorter as the garden prepares for winter hibernation. Deciduous trees shed their leaves, and structural seed heads are beautifully illuminated by morning dew and low winter sun.
Snowdrop Season
Advance booking is required for visits during snowdrop season, which typically runs from January through February when snowdrops are at their best.
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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