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| The yew trees in front of St Mary Church are the symbol of the beautiful town of Painswick. |
What is this post about?
This post is about a great walk in England, for lovers of trekking, walking or just the English countryside.
We divided the Cotswold Way, one of the most beautiful long walks in
England and United Kingdom, in sections and for each section we offer
you some useful info to plan your walk and a short video of the walk.
This is section number 7 - from Birdlip to Painswick and Edge.
What is the Cotswold Way?
The Cotswold Way is a wonderful walk in the heart of England, in the beautiful area of the Cotswold Hills near Bath.
You can click here to read more about the Cotswold Way.
How is the walk from Birdlip to Painswick and Edge and what is to see along the walk?
We are getting near to Bath, the end of our walk.
We already walked: Section 1 - Chipping Campden to Broadway Itinerary and Video, Section 2 - Broadway to Winchcombe Itinerary and Video, Section 3 - Sudeley Castle Itinerary & Video, Section 4 - Winchcombe to Cheltenham Itinerary and Video, Relaxing in Cheltenham Itinerary and Video and finally: Cheltenham to Birdlip Itinerary and Video.
From Birdlip the Cotswold Way leads to the quaint village of Painswick.
The village of Painswick, although maybe a bit eerie, is very beautiful.
(I wonder if the ethimology of Painswick is “wick” for village and “pains” for pains, so to be “Village of Pains”, which I can see it would be a very appropriate day in one of the many cold days the villagers have to suffer during the freezing winter!)
The walk is not particularly memorable, passing through a thick forest with some good views over the valley and the large reservoir.
When you finally come out of the wood and you arrive at the entrance of the Rococo Garden, just outside Painswick you feel you are finally getting what your efforts deserve!
What is so special about Painswick?
The Rococo Garden are a very interesting example of English Garden Design, "when gardens were almost theatrical sets used as a backdrop to decadent garden parties", as the official website of the Rococo Garden states.
It is an interesting mix of Neoclassical style, Italianate design and English taste for gardens and parks and it makes as a good place to visit before wonder about the narrow street of Painswick.
Painswick it is certainly very interesting and you should consider to spend there at least half a day although a full day will be better.
The graveyard around the church of St Mary can be easily called the center of the town.
It sounds strange?
Maybe but actually if you visit Painswick it would not feel as strange.
The perfectly shaped yew trees in the garden add a special atmosphere to the place.
According with a local legend, the churchyard will never have more than 99 yew trees and that should a 100th grow the Devil would pull it out.
The church, the graveyard, the old hotel in front of the church, the cottages, the narrow cobled streets, the old Quacker church, the beautiful valley contribute to give a special feeling to this place.
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| A beautiful panorama along the path. |
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| A wonderful panorama over the green valley around Painswick. |
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| One of the many beautiful corners of Painswick. |
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| The beautiful village of Painswick as seen from Edge. |
It is said that that King Charles admiring the panorama in the valley exclaimed: "This must be Paradise!".
But the path continues a bit more and after Painswick you should not absolutely miss the last stretch of the walk to the village of Edge.
It is not the village of Edge the great attraction, it is the 1 mile walk from Painswick to Edge.
The path runs along the valley and through green, soft, beautiful hills with a great and unforgettable view over the English countryside.
If you walk this last stretch in the evening, when the sun sets, it will become a fantastic memory of your Cotswold Way walk.
In Edge there is not much to do and see, apart for a great pub and restaurant with a large terrace overlooking the wonderful valley with a great view and wonderful local beers!
By the way, the real origin of the name Painswick comes from "Pan", the god of the countryside, the shepherds and the flocks, of hunting and of rustic music, and "Wick", that means village!
What are the other sections of the Cotswold Way already published?
Where I can more find general info about
the Cotswold Way?
