Events
Painswick Rococo Garden was designed to captivate, enchant and whisk visitors away from the ordinary routines of Georgian life.
Today, we proudly carry forward this legacy, keeping the spirit of delight, creativity, and connection alive in every corner of the garden.
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Painswick Rococo Garden
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february 2026
Organizer
Rococo Gardens
info@rococogarden.org.uk+ 44 (0) 1452 813204
Time
January 1, 2026 10:00 am - march 1, 2026 5:00 pm
Event Details
Delicate, pure, and steeped in history, snowdrops have enchanted gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries. At Painswick Rococo Garden, these dainty blooms create one of the most breathtaking naturalised displays
Event Details
Delicate, pure, and steeped in history, snowdrops have enchanted gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries. At Painswick Rococo Garden, these dainty blooms create one of the most breathtaking naturalised displays in the UK, with over five million snowdrops carpeting the garden in late winter.
A Brief History of Snowdrops
The earliest recorded name for snowdrops was ‘Bulbous Violet’. These plants first appeared in European gardens during the sixteenth century. By 1633, they were officially referred to as ‘snowdrops’ in Gerard’s Herbal. Their Latin name, Galanthus, translates to ‘milk-flower,’ while the species name nivalis references their snowy habitats in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Snowdrops were introduced to Britain sometime between 1500 and 1599, making their way across Europe from the Pyrenees to Ukraine. Their enduring appeal has only grown since then, bolstered by both folklore and practical uses.
Myth and Medicine
According to a Christian legend, the snowdrop first appeared when an angel comforted Eve after her fall from Paradise. As snowflakes fell, the angel caught one, breathed life into it, and transformed it into the first snowdrop, a symbol of hope and renewal.
In addition to their symbolic significance, snowdrops have been prized for their medicinal properties. The bulb contains compounds believed to aid in healing wounds and bruises. However, an old superstition warns against bringing snowdrops indoors, as they were thought to bring bad luck or even a death in the family.
Blooming Legacy
No one knows how the snowdrops arrived in the garden in such large numbers – it remains a mystery to this day.
Each year, visitors flock to the Rococo Garden to witness this natural wonder. The sight of millions of snowdrops blanketing the historic landscape is a timeless reminder of nature’s beauty and resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned snowdrop enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Rococo Garden’s collection offers a glimpse into both the past and the enduring allure of these ‘milk-flowers.’
Witness Natural History
With over five million snowdrops, the 18th-century Rococo Garden boasts one of the finest displays of naturalised snowdrops in the country. The breathtaking spectacle features at least 15 different varieties, including the creamy, ruffled blooms of Galanthus ‘Lady Elphinstone’ and the green-tipped G. ‘Viridapice’. Among these treasures is G. ‘Lyn’, named after the wife of renowned plantsman John Sales, who discovered it in the woods near Cirencester.
The Garden takes particular pride in its collection of G. ‘Atkinsii’, one of the oldest known hybrids. This variety was named after James Atkins, a Northamptonshire nurseryman and plant hunter who lived in Painswick from 1849 until his death in 1884. Believed to have been collected during a trip to Naples, G. ‘Atkinsii’ was planted in the Rococo Garden shortly after its discovery. It is celebrated as one of the tallest and earliest flowering snowdrops of the new year, with its large, elegant blooms, occasionally graced with a rare fourth petal.
Plan Your Visit
This winter, immerse yourself in the wonder of snowdrops and experience the serene beauty of this historic garden. Whether it’s your first time or a cherished annual tradition, the snowdrops at Rococo Garden promise to captivate and inspire.
Opening Times: From 17 January to 1 March inclusive, the Garden will be open daily between 10-5pm (last admission 4pm).
Monday to Friday: Daily talk with the member of the Garden Team at 2pm.
During February, admission will be via advance booking only.
thu05feb3:23 pmthu3:23 pmHandlebards - As you Like3:23 pm - 3:23 pm Painswick Rococo Garden
Organizer
Time
February 5, 2026 3:23 pm - 3:23 pm
Event Details
Join the troupe for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back
Event Details
Join the troupe for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.
This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!
Praise for previous HandleBards performances…
★★★★★ – “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” – The Stage
★★★★★ – “Five stars just don’t seem enough…” – The Sunderland Echo
Visit www.handlebards.com to find out more and book your tickets.
march 2026
Organizer
Rococo Gardens
info@rococogarden.org.uk+ 44 (0) 1452 813204
Time
January 1, 2026 10:00 am - march 1, 2026 5:00 pm
Event Details
Delicate, pure, and steeped in history, snowdrops have enchanted gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries. At Painswick Rococo Garden, these dainty blooms create one of the most breathtaking naturalised displays
Event Details
Delicate, pure, and steeped in history, snowdrops have enchanted gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries. At Painswick Rococo Garden, these dainty blooms create one of the most breathtaking naturalised displays in the UK, with over five million snowdrops carpeting the garden in late winter.
A Brief History of Snowdrops
The earliest recorded name for snowdrops was ‘Bulbous Violet’. These plants first appeared in European gardens during the sixteenth century. By 1633, they were officially referred to as ‘snowdrops’ in Gerard’s Herbal. Their Latin name, Galanthus, translates to ‘milk-flower,’ while the species name nivalis references their snowy habitats in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Snowdrops were introduced to Britain sometime between 1500 and 1599, making their way across Europe from the Pyrenees to Ukraine. Their enduring appeal has only grown since then, bolstered by both folklore and practical uses.
Myth and Medicine
According to a Christian legend, the snowdrop first appeared when an angel comforted Eve after her fall from Paradise. As snowflakes fell, the angel caught one, breathed life into it, and transformed it into the first snowdrop, a symbol of hope and renewal.
In addition to their symbolic significance, snowdrops have been prized for their medicinal properties. The bulb contains compounds believed to aid in healing wounds and bruises. However, an old superstition warns against bringing snowdrops indoors, as they were thought to bring bad luck or even a death in the family.
Blooming Legacy
No one knows how the snowdrops arrived in the garden in such large numbers – it remains a mystery to this day.
Each year, visitors flock to the Rococo Garden to witness this natural wonder. The sight of millions of snowdrops blanketing the historic landscape is a timeless reminder of nature’s beauty and resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned snowdrop enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Rococo Garden’s collection offers a glimpse into both the past and the enduring allure of these ‘milk-flowers.’
Witness Natural History
With over five million snowdrops, the 18th-century Rococo Garden boasts one of the finest displays of naturalised snowdrops in the country. The breathtaking spectacle features at least 15 different varieties, including the creamy, ruffled blooms of Galanthus ‘Lady Elphinstone’ and the green-tipped G. ‘Viridapice’. Among these treasures is G. ‘Lyn’, named after the wife of renowned plantsman John Sales, who discovered it in the woods near Cirencester.
The Garden takes particular pride in its collection of G. ‘Atkinsii’, one of the oldest known hybrids. This variety was named after James Atkins, a Northamptonshire nurseryman and plant hunter who lived in Painswick from 1849 until his death in 1884. Believed to have been collected during a trip to Naples, G. ‘Atkinsii’ was planted in the Rococo Garden shortly after its discovery. It is celebrated as one of the tallest and earliest flowering snowdrops of the new year, with its large, elegant blooms, occasionally graced with a rare fourth petal.
Plan Your Visit
This winter, immerse yourself in the wonder of snowdrops and experience the serene beauty of this historic garden. Whether it’s your first time or a cherished annual tradition, the snowdrops at Rococo Garden promise to captivate and inspire.
Opening Times: From 17 January to 1 March inclusive, the Garden will be open daily between 10-5pm (last admission 4pm).
Monday to Friday: Daily talk with the member of the Garden Team at 2pm.
During February, admission will be via advance booking only.
Organizer
Painswick Rococo Garden
info@rococogarden.org.uk01452813204
Time
March 21, 2026 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Event Details
Learn expert techniques and take home a piece of Rococo Garden Join our Head Gardener, Roger Standley, for an immersive, hands‑on masterclass dedicated to the art of lifting and dividing snowdrops.
Event Details
Learn expert techniques and take home a piece of Rococo Garden
Join our Head Gardener, Roger Standley, for an immersive, hands‑on masterclass dedicated to the art of lifting and dividing snowdrops. Working within Rococo Garden’s beautiful naturalistic display, you’ll gain practical skills, insider knowledge, and the confidence to care for and multiply your own plants at home.
This special session includes:
- Expert guidance on when and how to lift and divide snowdrops
- Practical, supervised hands‑on experience in the garden
- Tips for replanting, aftercare, and encouraging strong future flowering
- A guided tour exploring the history and heritage of our snowdrop collection
To round off the experience, you’ll take home two freshly divided snowdrop plants — a living piece of Rococo Garden’s story to nurture and enjoy in your own borders.
A perfect workshop for gardeners who love learning, heritage, and the quiet joy of growing something special.
To round off the workshop, enjoy tea and cake in the Rococo Garden tipi, a relaxed moment to chat and compare ideas with like minded people.
april 2026
No Events
may 2026
Organizer
Time
May 8, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details
Create stylish, long‑lasting displays for your summer garden Looking to bring a little extra flair to your outdoor space this summer? Containers are a brilliant way to add colour, structure and
Event Details
Create stylish, long‑lasting displays for your summer garden
Looking to bring a little extra flair to your outdoor space this summer? Containers are a brilliant way to add colour, structure and personality. Perfect for brightening patios, doorways and those tricky corners that need a lift.
Join Julie Dolphin, owner of Exedra Nursery, for a hands‑on workshop exploring how to design and plant containers with real impact. Using our superb selection of plants, Julie will guide you through creating a pot with long‑lasting interest and a touch of horticultural finesse.
During the workshop, you’ll learn:
- How to combine colours, textures and leaf shapes for a container with real class
- Plant choices that offer structure and longevity through the summer
- Practical tips for watering, feeding and maintaining healthy pots
- How to refresh and adapt containers as the season progresses
A perfect workshop for gardeners who love thoughtful design, practical advice and the pleasure of a beautiful, ever‑changing display.
Enjoy tea and cake as part of the package.
Organizer
Painswick Rococo Garden
info@rococogarden.org.uk01452813204
Time
May 16, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 am
Event Details
Come and join the third En Plein Air painting competition at Rococo Garden Step into a day where creativity fills the air and the Garden becomes an open air studio. Whether
Event Details
Come and join the third En Plein Air painting competition at Rococo Garden
Step into a day where creativity fills the air and the Garden becomes an open air studio. Whether you’re an artist with a brush in hand or an admirer who loves watching art come to life, this is your chance to experience dozens of painters capturing the beauty and character of Rococo Garden.
The competition is open to 2D artists of all ages, media, and styles – from seasoned painters to enthusiastic beginners.
To find out more and register, visit En Plein Air Competition.
To visit either book here or simply turn up on the day.
june 2026
No Events
july 2026
Organizer
Painswick Rococo Garden
info@rococogarden.org.uk01452813204
Time
July 4, 2026 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Event Details
Master the timeless craft of espalier. This elegant technique of training fruit trees to grow flat against a wall or framework is ideal for small gardens where space is limited. It
Event Details
Master the timeless craft of espalier.
This elegant technique of training fruit trees to grow flat against a wall or framework is ideal for small gardens where space is limited. It is equally striking in larger, more formal landscapes. Espalier brings structure, beauty, and productivity together in one living work of art.
Join us for a hands‑on, inspiring day that blends expert tuition with practical experience in a relaxed, friendly setting.
What’s Included:
Guided Garden Tour
Explore beautifully established espalier specimens and see how structure, placement, and pruning shape their distinctive form.
Demonstration & Pruning Techniques
Watch an expert-led demonstration covering the fundamentals of training, tying, and pruning espalier fruit trees – perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Pruning Practice Session
Roll up your sleeves for guided, hands-on pruning practice. Build confidence and leave ready to start – or revive – your own espalier at home.
Coffee & Cake
Enjoy a restorative break with homemade treats and the chance to chat with fellow garden enthusiasts.
august 2026
No Events
september 2026
Organizer
Time
September 25, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details
Create continuous colour this summer Join us to learn how to produce a beautiful outdoor pot which will bring continuous colour and interest to your garden in the summer. Exedra Nursery
Event Details
Create continuous colour this summer
Join us to learn how to produce a beautiful outdoor pot which will bring continuous colour and interest to your garden in the summer. Exedra Nursery owner Julie Dolphin will demonstrate how to create a ‘Bulb Lasagne’, a technique used to get extended flowering by planting different varieties of bulbs at different levels that will flower in succession over a number of weeks.
Julie will take you through the method step by step to ensure you have success with a planting technique that keeps that outdoor pot working for you!
There’ll be advice on a wide range of bulbs to use including tulips, daffodils, crocus and muscari, how to prepare the planter and maintaining it to keep those displays looking gorgeous!
Enjoy tea and cake as part of the package.
Organizer
Time
September 25, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details
Create continuous colour this summer Join us to learn how to produce a beautiful outdoor pot which will bring continuous colour and interest to your garden in the summer. Exedra Nursery
Event Details
Create continuous colour this summer
Join us to learn how to produce a beautiful outdoor pot which will bring continuous colour and interest to your garden in the summer. Exedra Nursery owner Julie Dolphin will demonstrate how to create a ‘Bulb Lasagne’, a technique used to get extended flowering by planting different varieties of bulbs at different levels that will flower in succession over a number of weeks.
Julie will take you through the method step by step to ensure you have success with a planting technique that keeps that outdoor pot working for you!
There’ll be advice on a wide range of bulbs to use including tulips, daffodils, crocus and muscari, how to prepare the planter and maintaining it to keep those displays looking gorgeous!
Enjoy tea and cake as part of the package.
october 2026
Organizer
Painswick Rococo Garden
info@rococogarden.org.uk01452813204
Time
October 1, 2026 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details
A hands‑on workshop for gardeners who love to grow more for less Discover the simple, time‑honoured techniques that turn one healthy plant into many. This practical workshop will guide you through
Event Details
A hands‑on workshop for gardeners who love to grow more for less
Discover the simple, time‑honoured techniques that turn one healthy plant into many. This practical workshop will guide you through the process of lifting and dividing perennials, an essential skill for any gardener looking to refresh borders, rejuvenate tired plants, and expand their garden without spending a penny.
You’ll learn:
- How to identify when perennials are ready to be lifted and divided
- The best tools and methods for successful division
- Tips for replanting, aftercare, and encouraging strong regrowth
- How dividing supports healthier, longer‑lived plants
Whether you’re looking to fill gaps, share plants with friends, or simply make the most of what you already have, this workshop offers expert guidance and plenty of hands‑on practice.
A perfect workshop for gardeners who enjoy rolling up their sleeves and growing their knowledge as well as their borders.
november 2026
No Events
december 2026
No Events
january 2027
No Events