A Guide to Exploring Vineyards from Tenterden

Best times to visit

Spring (April-May): The famous Painswick Rococo Garden is in full bloom, and nearby vineyards begin tour season.

Summer (June-August): Warm weather for vineyard visits, plus Cotswolds walking routes like the Cotswold Way.

Autumn (September-October): Harvest time at Woodchester Valley and Three Choirs, with colourful woodland walks in the Slad Valley.

Winter (November-February): A quieter period but still good for vineyard tastings, with cosy Cotswold pubs in town.

The vineyards near Painswick

Within 20 minutes you’ll find Woodchester Valley (multiple sites), known for sparkling and still wines. Within 30 minutes are Poulton Hill Estate and the well-established Three Choirs Vineyard, one of England’s oldest. This makes Painswick one of the few Cotswold towns where you can combine a vineyard weekend with classic Cotswold scenery.

What else is there to do in Painswick?

Visit the Painswick Rococo Garden.

Explore St Mary’s Churchyard, famous for its 99 clipped yew trees.

Walk sections of the Cotswold Way, which passes through the town.

Nearby Slad Valley, made famous by Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie.

Where to eat and drink in Painswick

• Budget: Falcon Inn - relaxed pub food at reasonable prices.
• Create a splash: The Oak - a stylish pub with seasonal menus and a good drinks list.
• Push the boat out: a boutique hotel restaurant with modern fine dining and English wines on the menu.

For bottles: Woodchester Valley’s cellar door (nearby) is the best place to buy local wines directly.

Where to stay

The Painswick - chic hotel in a Georgian mansion, from £180.

Falcon Inn - rooms above the pub, from £120.

Cotswold stone cottages and B&Bs around the town, from £100.

Vineyard stays available at Three Choirs Vineyard (from £145 per night).

FAQs about Painswick vineyard weekends

• Can you get to Painswick by train?
  Not directly. Nearest stations are Stroud (3 miles) or Gloucester (7 miles), then a short taxi.
  
• Can you reach vineyards from Painswick by public transport?
  Not easily. Woodchester Valley is close but best reached by taxi; Poulton Hill and Three Choirs require a car.
  
• Which vineyards are near Painswick?
  Woodchester Valley (15 mins), Poulton Hill (25 mins), and Three Choirs (30 mins).
  
• Where can you try local wines in Painswick?
  The Painswick hotel restaurant often features English wines. For tastings, head to Woodchester Valley or Three Choirs directly.
  
• Are there vineyard stays near Painswick?
  Yes - Three Choirs Vineyard offers vineyard accommodation, and some Woodchester sites have nearby cottages.
  
• Is Painswick a good base for a vineyard weekend?
  Yes - it combines the charm of a classic Cotswold town with access to several vineyards within 30 minutes.