REVIEW: Art Unbound at Painswick Rococo Garden
Explore Gloucestershire went to explore one of the most famous gardens in Gloucestershire this week. The country’s only surviving rococo garden in the beautiful Cotswold village of Painswick has been lovingly restored by Lord and Lady Dickinson since 1984, based on an original painting from 1948.
This summer also sees the installation of the ‘Art Unbound’ sculpture exhibition throughout the garden which continues until Sunday 8th September. Designed to complement the garden and its history this contemporary exhibition showcases the talent of over 18 artists with 119 pieces - and if you’re very inspired, all artworks on display are for sale.
The gardens looked glorious on a sunny day in July but the year at Painswick Rococo Garden begins early in the year with a beautiful display of snowdrops, which attracts many visitors. The changing garden looks glorious throughout all the seasons under the care of a dedicated team of gardeners, who we would like to mention are very knowledgeable and happy to chat to visitors.
It is a garden which the whole family can enjoy and ‘Art Unbound’ has something to appeal to all tastes which perhaps involves a few discussions with other visitors as well (everyone we met was lovely). There is so much more on offer than what you initially see on arrival. The paths go in all directions to viewpoints, a maze and into the woods both above and below the main garden.
Venture through the lower woods and you come to an idyllic children’s playground, handcrafted from the woods themselves. It’s far enough away from the more tranquil garden for children to let off some steam and let their imagination run wild.
There was a real buzz back at the café as it was lunchtime. The food looked fabulous with much sourced from the Rococo Kitchen Garden itself. Their home-made cakes look amazing and the coffee is really good. A small gift shop sells some unique items, while some plants from the garden are also on sale.
Keep an eye out for other events at Painswick Rococo Gardens. Outdoor theatre productions this summer include ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ on the 27th July and the ‘Sword in the Stone’ on the 26th August.
New for the school summer holidays is the ‘Time Traveller Trail’ which begins on the 20th July. The Trail is designed to incorporate some historic secrets of the 18th century garden with the sculptures which are situated around the gardens, while getting the whole family outdoors.
Explore Gloucestershire
19 July 2019
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