Cotswold escarpment views, 18th-century gardens, and a stone-built hill town
Where ridge paths meet yew-lined churchyards — and every stroll ends in a timeless square.
Painswick is a superb base for walking holidays and outdoor adventures in the central Cotswolds. The Cotswold Way passes right through town, with classic day sections over Painswick Beacon toward Birdlip and the Severn vistas, or south to Haresfield Beacon and Standish Wood. Shorter loops weave through Rococo Garden, Sheepscombe, and the beech woods above the Slad Valley — perfect for slow, self-guided exploration between cafés, pubs, and galleries on the historic main street.
Why Walk Here
- On the Cotswold Way with ridge-top day sections in both directions.
- Signature viewpoints: Painswick Beacon, Haresfield Beacon, Standish Wood.
- Mix of airy escarpment paths, beech woods, and intimate valleys (Sheepscombe/Slad).
- Year-round appeal with Painswick Rococo Garden (noted for winter snowdrops).
- Car-free friendly via Stroud rail links and local buses.
Nearby Trails
- Cotswold Way: Painswick → Birdlip – Escarpment walking with wide Severn and Malvern views.
- Cotswold Way: Painswick → Haresfield Beacon/Standish Wood – Rolling ridges, ancient woodland, big panoramas.
- Painswick Beacon Circular – Short, rewarding loop from town to the hill-fort summit.
- Sheepscombe & Beech Woods Loop – Quiet lanes, coppice trails, and classic Cotswold hamlets.
- Slad Valley Links – Literary landscapes and steep, green combes toward Stroud.
Outdoor Adventures and Activities
- Ridge hikes and woodland rambles right from the square.
- Garden days at Painswick Rococo Garden paired with gentle circuits.
- Trail running on the Cotswold Way spurs and Beacon loops.
- Photography: yew-lined St Mary’s churchyard, limestone lanes, and sunset escarpments.
