Painswick, a charming Cotswolds village known for its celebrity connections and stunning Rococo Gardens, has been crowned Gloucestershire’s Village of the Year 2025 by the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC). This accolade highlights Painswick’s vibrant community spirit and commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
The village first captured widespread attention in 2022 when Hollywood star Tom Cruise celebrated his 60th birthday there, attended by notable guests including James Corden. Pop singer and actress Lily Allen has also called Painswick home. Other residents have included actors Susan Lynch and Craig Parkinson, further cementing its reputation as a celebrity-favored retreat.
The competition attracted entries from across Gloucestershire’s rural districts, with winners in various categories reflecting the diversity and resilience of these communities. The awards ceremony took place at Highnam Court on July 17, where category winners were announced alongside the overall winners.
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In addition to securing the top prize, Painswick won in both the Climate & Environment (Resilience) and Inclusive Community categories. Frampton Mansell, another picturesque Cotswolds village, earned the overall runner-up award.
Category winners included:
- Community-Led Health and Wellbeing: Highnam (Winner), Painswick (Runner-Up)
- Climate & Environment: Painswick (Winner), Highnam (Runner-Up)
- Inclusive Community: Painswick (Winner), Woolaston (Runner-Up)
- Digital & Innovation: Fairford (Winner), Highnam (Runner-Up)
Special recognitions were also awarded, including the High Sheriff’s Special Award for Volunteer of the Year to Di Landon of Westbury on Severn, and a posthumous Outstanding Contribution Award to Vicki Hewlett for her work with GRCC.
Each winner received commemorative certificates, plaques, and prize money ranging from £1,000 to £2,000. Barbara Piranty, Chief Executive of GRCC, praised the communities for their “positive energy and activity” amid challenging times and encouraged more villages to participate in future competitions.
Phil Sullivan, Chair of the judging panel, commended the outstanding involvement and dedication seen across all communities, highlighting their efforts in making Gloucestershire’s villages welcoming and special places to live.