"Painswick Gloucestershire" Painswick by mary_birt

A very beautiful place to visit, in the heart of the Cotswalds. Painswick has a lot of historyto it.
During the civil war St Mary's church was caught in the firing line and to this day you can still see the holes that the shells made in its brickwork. In 1643 King Charles1 spent the night at Court House before the seige of Gloucester.
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The churchyard has a tale that only 99 Yew trees will grow there for some reason but at the last count there were over 100.
The original Norman church- mentioned in the Doomsday Book has been gradually replaced in later centuries. the present north aisle was built during Richard 2nds reign (1377-1399) and rebuilt in 1480, along with the central nave and St Peter's chapel of the lords of the manor. The tower was also built in 1480, although the steeple was not added until 1637.
In 1873 the church was struck by lightening, brining down a third of the spire.
There is a very nice Inn in Painswick called the Falcon where you can stay or just have a meal at very reasonable rates.
If you like walking there are many places that you can go to, one is the Beacon which is nearly 1000 feet high, a bit of a trek but well worth it when you reach the top. On a clear day you can see five or six counties.
The city of Gloucester is near by about 6 miles away, where you will find the old docks which have been restored. There are a few shops there including an antique market where you might find that little something.
In the city itself there are shops for everyone. At the "cross" there is a jewellers shop ,above it there is an interesting design,and in the precinct there is a working model of the "Tailor of Gloucester" by Beatrix Potter.

Legend has it that only 99 trees grow in the churchyard, and if a 100th tree should grow the Devil would come and pull it out, I think there are 100 trees.