Painswick Rococo Snowdrops

Welcome again to Gloucester Painswick Rococo Gardens where spring has sprung a tad early. Love this garden and much has been added since our last visit. The bog garden is now criss crossed with pathways

picnic area inside a willow hut

The path above leads to a substantial pigeon house which has now been opened and is accessed by a v narrow stairway

 

The weather seems to have favoured snowdrops and daffodils this year - 

The garden also has a fair selection of oddities, follies and grottos - 

Maze to celebrate 250yrs of the Rococo gardens

Bug Hotel in the Bluebell Wood

and a sprinkling of natural artwork - 

It was then down into the village of Painswick for tea n cakes at the atmospheric Patchwork Mouse

It's an amazing little village, once the hub of the Stroud valleys wollen mills. In the day it's many denominational churches were outnumbered ten fold by its hostelries. Worth a visit to view its architecture and history

The church of St Mary (originally Norman) was extended around 1480 in the English perpendicular style. The churchyard with 99 yew trees (legend has it that the 100th won't grow).

There are rare 17th century spectacle stocks near the court house. 14th century houses in Bisley Street include two original Donkey doors, Wide enough for panniered donkeys who carried the wool from the numerous mills along the local valleys.

Rococo Snowdrops

Continuing the theme. 'Twas the day of the great snowdrop hunt. We often start the floral year with a trip to the locally based national snowdrop collection @ Colesbourne Park, but it was closed as you could not see the snowdrops for ... snow!

But all was not lost as the snow had virtually cleared from Painswicks Rococo Gardens which also has a fine collection.

Sue's Wedding

An amazing backdrop for a wedding - Painswick Rococo Gardens and the follies therein. It was quite a pull up the hill from the lake but Sue made it :)

... and 30 years on, as with fine wine ;)

Mary (left), Marilyn (centre), Sue (right) - then and now.