Painswick

Painswick — they call it the Queen of the Cotswolds, and honestly, she’s earned every bit of that royal title. It feels like a fairytale dropped into the real world, softly whispering, “Stay awhile, darling.”

The ancient churchyard is yew tree heaven — legend says there are always 99 yews, and if you plant a 100th, the Devil destroys it (LOL). In 2000, they planted one anyway. It’s thriving, naturally — defying myths and standing tall like a leafy middle finger to superstition. These 300-year-old guardians watch over you (lovingly, of course).

The winding streets practically beg you to get deliciously lost, leading to the cosiest cafés where I (obviously) stopped for tea and cake — because, priorities! The peace here seeps right into your bones.

We stayed at the utterly swoon-worthy Painswick Hotel, tucked right in the heart of the village. Every little detail felt intentional — from the cosy nooks made for reading to the sweeping views bathed in that soft Cotswold light spilling through the windows. Oh man, how I wished we’d stayed another night!!

Just up the road, we made our way (well, I hobbled — still nursing that stubborn ankle that refuses to heal, seemingly determined to test my patience!) to the absolutely stunning Rococo Gardens — complimentary entry, one of the many dreamy perks of our stay at The Painswick Hotel (bliss × 1000!).

Romantic pavilions, peaceful gardens drenched in gentle English charm — totally show-offy and every painter’s dream.

The locals are wonderful — warm, chatty, and always ready with directions or a smile before you’ve even asked. A proper community!

Painswick doesn’t try to impress you. It just is — effortlessly beautiful, gentle, and unpretentious. The kind of place that makes you want to extend your stay indefinitely… and maybe never check your phone again!

P.S. Next time, I’m booking two nights — minimum. This Queen deserves nothing less.