If you’ve visited us here on the edge of our idyllic Cotswolds valley before you’ll know that one of our nearby great attractions is the rather unusual and very special Painswick Rococo Garden, dating from the early 1700s.
Almost on our doorstep, the Garden expects to welcome 45,000 visitors by the end of this year from all over the world, but sadly – as autumn approaches – this literally fantastic garden is facing some funding challenges that are putting its ability to remain open to the public in jeopardy.
Before I tell you the story of why the Rococo Garden is at risk, let me hasten to add that it is currently very much open, being ably looked after as usual by a team of around 70 committed volunteers.
In fact, it is a wonderful time to visit, because September brings a kaleidoscope of colour with perennials and annuals providing a magical display, while the trees begin to turn red and gold. In the walled garden the crop of heritage fruits are roundly ripening.
We’d highly recommend it for October half-term too. Plan a visit (you don’t need to pre-book) – with full details of opening hours and accessibility.
Of course, we’re always available here at the Edgemoor Inn to treat you to a hearty post-garden-exploration meal and a warming beverage.
Back to the problem at hand ….
Urgent Appeal Launched to keep Painswick Rococo Garden Open
The crux of the matter is that the Painswick Rococo Garden Trust is a charity, which needs £60,000 to relocate its visitor facilities.
The lease for the visitor facilities has run its course as of September, and although planning permission for a new purpose-built visitor centre has been obtained, funding challenges (mainly down to the ravages of the Covid pandemic) mean they can’t be put into practice.
The garden will endure, but without permanent appropriate facilities it won’t be possible to welcome visitors.
As the Trust has said in a statement:
“Whether you’re a member, or whether you just visit us from time to time to complete a family trail, see an open-air theatre performance or browse our art and sculpture exhibitions, you can help us make sure that Painswick Rococo Garden is here for many more generations to come.”
Click here to find out more about how you can help – there are some attractive rewards on offer in return for your donations.
Meanwhile, why not plan a visit to what has been billed as “one of Gloucestershire’s best-kept secrets” – Britain’s only complete surviving example of a rococo garden. It’s playful, fantastical, magical and unique, and the bonus is that the Edgemoor Inn is close by, just waiting to welcome you too and put the cherry on top of the experience.
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