Painswick to Laurie Lee’s Slad Circular

Although this starts and finishes at the Airbnb Cherry Tree cottage we were staying at, the route could equally be done from Painswick.
Starting very early morning to avoid the heat of the day and returning to Painswick for well deserved brunch.

Taking the footpaths skirting around Painswick, you quickly have stunning views towards Pitchcombe and Harescombe. Following the Cotswolds Way for a short way, the route towards King’s Mill Lane was unfortunately rather overgrown in parts.

Crossing over the lock, the Gateway route was a lovely walk along the edge of Painswick stream, which takes you to Stepping Stone Lane.
After a steep ascent up the lane, turning left to follow the footpath through the disused quarries, you arrive at the Slad war memorial junction.

Carefully follow Slad Road into Slad village, passing Laurie Lee’s childhood home, Rosebank Cottage and Holy Trinity church, where he sang in the choir and is now the site of his grave. The church also has a small exhibition and a memorial stained glass window to the author.
Passing the only pub in the village, The Woolpack, sadly too early to visit as it opens midday, continued along Slad road until turning at the footpath on the left.

Following the Laurie Lee walk, with beautiful views through cow fields and orchards, swinging back round to the war memorial.

Taking the footpath through The Frith and crossing Yokehouse Lane, and the. back down into Painswick.
At this point the route became part of a 100km run, so we were trying to keep out of their way!

Arriving back into Painswick for an exploration.
The town, which grew from the wool trade, is very interesting, with many historic and beautiful houses. The churchyard of the parish church, St Mary’s is criss-crossed with paths, is graced with fine clipped yew trees and elegant tombstones, such as the unusual pyramidal tomb of the stonemason John Bryan.
Folklore says that the churchyard will never have more than 99 yew trees and that should a 100th grow the Devil would pull it out!

The last stocks, an iron version dating back to about 1840, can still be seen just outside the southern entrance of the churchyard.

Painswick has a number of notable historic homes, some of which date back to the 14th century. With a selection of tearooms and two pubs, the Falcon Inn and The Oak for refreshments.

Then returning up Gloucester Street, passing the museum of the Arts and Crafts movement and onwards past the entrance to the Rococo Gardens.
This 18th-century garden was laid out by Benjamin Hyett in the 1740s to resemble an expansive outdoor ‘room’. It has been restored to its former glory and is now the UK’s only complete surviving Rococo garden and is certainly worth a visit.

An interesting and beautiful Cotswold walk.