The one area of the Cotswolds that many people commonly refer to as the Queen of the Cotswolds is none other than that of Painswick. This historical village offers an old world charm unlike anything else that can be found in the region. Featuring more than 300 years of history in England’s clothing industry, virtually all the homes and buildings located in Painswick are made of the oolitic limestone, which the Cotswolds are actually composed of.
The streets of Painswick are small as of which was common of the times long before the days of the automobile. These streets are none the less fun and exciting for anyone wanting to go exploring through Painswick to check out the many little shops located throughout the village. There are also many homes of noteworthy status in Painswick which were built during the 17th century of the local oolitic limestone which was quarried locally from the Cotswolds.
One exciting event that is a must see happens in Painswick each and every year on the first Sunday following the Feast of the Nativity. This event is known as the annual Clypping Ceremony, which occurs on the closest Sunday to September 19th each year. The children of Painswick encircle the church and hold hands while dancing in a style similar to that of the Hokey-Kokie whist singing the Clypping song loudly. While it’s festivities are rooted in pagan tradition, today it is a means of celebrating and embracing the church. As a matter of fact, the Anglo-Saxon word of clyppan means simply to embrace.
One thing that is quite interesting that you would notice from the first moment that they step foot into Painswick is that most of the buildings in the town face to the south. This is for an actually very important reason. You have to remember that the town of Painswick is rooted in more than 300 years of history in the clothing industry and as of such, back when the vast majority of the homes and buildings were built, when there was no readily available electrical power of any sorts, the buildings needed the attic rooms to face in a southerly direction because they were used as weaver’s workshops.
