Gloucestershire boasts many stunning locations within the Cotswolds, famed for their timeless charm and picturesque surroundings. Though tourist favourites such as Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water often claim the spotlight, a charming village has now been recognised as the county’s most beautiful.
While Bibury is often described as the most beautiful village in England, known for its iconic 17th-century Arlington Row cottages and the creeper-adorned Swan Hotel, and Bourton-on-the-Water is affectionately dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” due to the gentle River Windrush and its graceful stone bridges, neither has captured this recent honour.
Nestled quietly amidst rolling hills, Snowshill offers a serene retreat with attractions like Snowshill Manor and its vibrant lavender displays, yet it too was overshadowed in the latest ranking.
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The coveted title belongs to Painswick, affectionately nicknamed the “Queen of the Cotswolds.” The travel website Love Exploring ranked it 11th among England’s prettiest towns and villages. They praised Painswick for its enchanting 17th- and 18th-century stone houses, which are said to number exactly 99 in keeping with a local legend forbidding the construction of a 100th.
Central to the village is St Mary’s Church, surrounded by the famed 99 ancient yew trees shaped into distinctive domes, which lend a haunting beauty especially when shrouded in mist. The nearby Painswick Rococo Garden, the only complete Rococo garden remaining in the UK, bursts into life each spring with vivid blooms and whimsical follies.
Historically, Painswick’s wealth derived from the medieval wool trade, resulting in a rich architectural heritage that defines the village today. Its narrow, winding streets climb the hillside organically, preserving an authentic village atmosphere unlike the more polished tourist hubs.
The parish church, with Norman origins and mostly 15th-century construction, bears marks of the English Civil War, including cannonball scars on its tower. Above the village lies Painswick Beacon, a 250-acre common land offering spectacular views across the Severn Valley and containing remnants of a significant Iron Age hill fort.
The surrounding countryside is perfect for exploration, with well-trodden walking routes connecting Painswick to neighbouring villages like Slad, home to the Woolpack pub-a favourite haunt of author Laurie Lee, known for his evocative work “Cider with Rosie.”
All these features combine to give Painswick an enduring, unhurried character that continues to charm visitors and locals alike, securing its place as Gloucestershire’s prettiest Cotswolds village.