Painswick Rococo Garden, near Stroud, is a Cotswold horticultural treasure – so much so that it inspired a multi-venue festival of art and culture last summer. Now the team behind this debut event are back again with a lively summer programme for artists and art lovers. One of the festival leaders, Chris Woodcock, of Spencer House Gallery, Tetbury, tells us more…
Rebellious, decadent and indulgent – three trademarks of the Rococo movement in France in the 1720s. Not values you’d immediately associate with the South Cotswolds of the 21st century… but that’s where you’d be wrong.
For the second year running, Painswick Rococo Garden – a bastion of horticultural decadence and ornamentation – is the inspiration for an arts festival spanning painting, music and gardening excellence… and I’m privileged to be one of the driving forces again.
Taking our cue from the rebellious and theatrical design styles of the Rococo era – often described as the final expression of the Baroque movement – our all-female organising team have compiled a programme for all tastes, including those who prefer quieter, less self-indulgent pastimes.
A painted view of the garden, by Angie Spencer in 2024 Events range from live Baroque-style music, with a contemporary twist, to a plein air painting competition, which launches with a day-long contest in May and continues till summer 2026.
Caro Birtles, manager at Painswick Rococo Garden, explains: ‘Last year’s inaugural festival was a fabulous success and spurred us on to repeat and embellish the experience this time. We had a perfect day of live plein air painting, drawing and printmaking in the garden. The standard was high and the sun shone non-stop. We also enjoyed live music and broader art exhibitions.
‘This year, we feel that a little bit of Rococo-style exuberance is even more called for, partly as an antidote to world stage strife but mainly to celebrate the treasures, talent and culture of our region and boost the Arts and artists of this area. We also aim to attract more young artists via local schools and colleges.’
Garden director, Dominic Hamilton, adds: ‘It’s marvellous that, three centuries after the garden was created, it’s still the source of so much creativity and artistic enjoyment. We host a diverse programme, for all ages and interests, and have always welcomed all kinds of interpretations of the buildings and plants in our extraordinary space.’
What follows is a summary of the venues and events, with more details and tickets (where required) being available from the links and contacts mentioned.
This Georgian marvel nestles in a hidden valley. It boasts fantastic vistas, serpentine paths, rolling countryside and a scattering of eye-catching follies.
Its roots are almost 300 years old, but its revival is much more recent. The garden was originally laid out in 1748 by Benjamin Hyett who commissioned a painting of it. Inspired by this artwork, in 1984 the then-owners of Painswick House took on the mammoth task of restoring the garden.
For summer 2025, special events include outdoor performances, from opera to children’s theatre, family trails and horticultural workshops.
Painswick Rococo Garden, Gloucester Road, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6TH, tel: 01452 813204, rococogarden.org.uk
Spencer House Gallery enjoys its home in a refurbished Georgian town house in the historic heart of Tetbury. We’re committed to supporting regional emerging, early-career and established contemporary artists in many media, so encouraging and showcasing the winners of our Garden competition is important to us.
Summer is the perfect time for us to host an exhibition focused on indulgence, exuberance and ornament. Artists can let their imaginations run riot and explore new styles or add an extra facet to their approach.
Art is always a welcome distraction and therapy – and this is a special chance to switch off from everyday pressures and enjoy clever and colourful artistic creations. We’re really looking forward to what our artists, regular and new, devise to impress us all.’
Spencer House Gallery, 34 Long Street, Tetbury GL8 8AQ, tel: 07841 979273, spencerhousegallery.co.uk
The Shed, as it’s affectionately known, stages a busy programme of events all year, including music, theatre, cinema, art and entertainment for all ages.
Kathryn Limoi, office manager, says: ‘This collaboration fits perfectly into our vision to be an arts space of choice for everyone – a social and cultural community hub and Cotswolds centre of artistic excellence.
‘Red Priest is the ideal act to launch the Rococo Rocks! festival – their take on Baroque music is flamboyant and fun and never fails to sell out here, so we’re really looking forward to their return. We’ll be hitting the right note from the start!’
Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre, Old Station Yard, Cirencester Rd, Tetbury GL8 8EY; tel: 01666 505496 (office hours only) or box office 0333 666 4466; tetburygoodsshed.co.uk
Set up in 2019, Watch This Space run artisan markets, events and workshops for all ages and abilities, partnering with experienced artists and designer-makers. As well as their plein air art contests, they run seasonal maker markets and workshops, including some at the Rococo Garden, and are strong believers that participation in the creative arts can have a powerful impact on the way we see the world and feel about ourselves.
The busy schedule is steered by Niki Whitfield who has been an arts project manager, producer and curator for over 20 years: ‘We hope the popularity of the first festival will attract even more participants this time and we might discover some big new names among the artists and younger participants.’
Registration for the plein air event at the Rococo Garden will close on Friday, May 16 at 12 noon. Visit the website for registration details.
Watch This Space; tel: 07821 098171; wtscollective.co.uk; @wtscollective
Rococo Rocks! festival highlights
Saturday, May 10
The hugely popular quartet, Red Priest, perform their special blend of Baroque music with their trademark exuberance and theatricality. Tetbury Goods Shed. Advance tickets £26: tetburygoodsshed.co.uk; tel: 01666 505496 (office hours only); box office: 0333 666 4466.
Saturday, May 17
Plein air (outdoor) painting competition at Painswick Rococo Garden. £250 top prize – the winner exhibits at Spencer House Gallery. Viewers welcome. Entry details: wtscollective.co.uk/plein-air-competitions; tel: 07821 098171.
Friday, June 20 to Saturday, August 30
Indulgence is the title of a summer exhibition of regional artists’ work on the theme of Rococo flamboyance, ornament and sheer artistic fulfilment. Spencer House Gallery, 34 Long Street, Tetbury GL8 8AQ. Private View Friday, June 20, 6.30-8.30pm. Free entry. Tel: 07841 979273; spencerhousegallery.co.uk/events-exhibitions
Summer 2025 to summer 2026
Artists in Residence at Painswick Rococo Garden. Visitors can meet the artists at work: winners of the plein air contest in May are invited to record the garden seasons for an exhibition to follow: rococogarden.org.uk
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