The Painswick

As we sipped the last few drops of our tea, basking in the breathtaking views of the valley, and listening to the busy hum of bees, I turned to my mother and smiled. ‘This is all I want in the future.’ I said to her earnestly. ‘A garden, a great view and good company.’ 

Our taxi pulled up to the late 18th century Palladian building, known today as The Painswick hotel. The first thing I felt was how cosy and elegant the furnishings were. The second thing I felt was the warmth of The Painswick staff. Before we get going on this article, I want to offer the biggest thank you to The Painswick staff and of course, Bloxham PR, for a fantastic stay.

To those that have never been to the Cotswolds before, you can’t imagine a more idyllic and picturesque vision of England. It’s how most tourists believe England looks everywhere (lol)! The storybook villages, rising valleys, undisturbed landscapes - you can’t really go wrong with this particular region of the country. 

The town of Painswick perhaps isn’t as well known but in it, you will experience all the quintessential trimmings of countryside living. The hotel is in the heart of the town, and as we sat down to enjoy our afternoon tea, we gasped at the views. Large valleys sit in the background as Mum and I dug into our sandwiches, scotch eggs and desserts. The afternoon tea was exceptional! It doesn’t seem like a lot when you first gaze upon the board, but I can assure you, you will be stuffed to the brim. We sat upon the balcony that screamed Romeo & Juliet vibes. The last few remnants of wisteria hanging onto the edge and the gentle, warm breeze blowing through our hair. 

It had been a long time since my Mum and I had done something just the two of us. With all these incredible experiences I have had with brands and PR stays, I really wanted to take someone along this time. And who is a greater cheerleader of your accomplishments, than your Mum? Forever fueling my confidence, I wanted to thank her in a special way. A huge shout out to the fact that she travelled all the way from the north to join me on this trip.

Next, we wanted to explore the area. We left our bags comfortably and ventured into the village, which is also known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’ and is one of England’s oldest ‘Wool Towns.’ The wealth generated from wool production and weaving gave the area many fine buildings, like the Painswick and St. Mary’s Church. One of our first stops was the church, which is less than 5 minutes walk from the hotel. The tall beautiful spire grabs your attention in any direction you walk.

Just like any church in England, this one is stunning to view from an architectural perspective. The churchyard is well-known for its 99 Yew Trees. Dating the planting back to the 18th century, the walkways of these trees are not one to miss and legend states that the 100th Yew will never grow! 

Bask in the Cotswold stone buildings and Georgian era windows. It’s Jane Austen and Bridgerton rolled into one. Every corner is scenic, you want to take photos constantly, and I was just obsessed. 

Ok, one of the highlights you’ll have during your stay at the Painswick hotel, are the meals. Mum and I opted for the lamb chops. We tend to always eat the local produce for the restaurant and places like these, the ingredients are always locally sourced. Oh my word, the lamb chops were the greatest I have ever eaten. Succulent, tender and we were served healthy portions! Lots of meat haha! Complemented by seasonal vegetables, Mum and I cleaned our plates. We paired it with a malbec and oh chef’s kiss, the meal went down beautifully. Sadly, we were just too full to try dessert, but next time!

The same goes for breakfast the next day. The restaurant itself is understated, with imposing archways that open up to wood panelled walls and herringbone flooring. It’s a contemporary setting with a country living twist, and I think that best describes the hotel overall. After we had eaten well (Mum had avocado on toast and I opted for granola), it was off to explore some hidden gems in the area.

First up was a visit to Stroud Farmers’ Market. The award-winning market is hailed as one of the biggest and most popular farmers’ markets in the country. The weekly market is exceptional, with hundreds of locals coming out every weekend to support local businesses. The market opens from 9am, we arrived at 9:30am and were shocked at how crowded it already was. 

Most things were nearly sold out already! I had never seen anything like it before, and what was available to purchase was some of the best produce I had seen at a market. No wonder it was crowned ‘Best Farmers’ Market’ in 2013 by FARMA. It was living up to its reputation and the quality of goods on sale, makes it understandable how Stroud Farmers’ Market is somewhat of an institution now.

My personal favourite purchase was the mushrooms from Slad Valley. Lions mane and speckled chestnut mushrooms were unfamiliar to me. They were wild and exotic looking and I had to get my hands on them! I ended up using them in pasta dishes and the flavour was spectacular. Lions mane has a bit of a meaty taste to it and the speckled mushrooms pair beautifully with scrambled eggs and avocado on sourdough toast. It’s true that finer ingredients elevate the simplest of dishes. I shall be ordering online or better yet, I will be able to grow my own with the Slad Valley Mushroom starter kit!

Our final day concluded with an afternoon at the Painswick Rococo Garden. As gardening enthusiasts, Mum and I adored this place! Rococo Garden is a 15 minute walk from The Painswick, so it's a great thing to visit locally during your stay. In 1748, Benjamin Hyett asked local artist Thomas Robins to paint Rococo. Little did either of them know that the painting would be used as inspiration for the restoration for the garden from the 1970s, right up to today!

Take in vista views from the magical follies and race each other in the maze to get to the centre. Take a seat and enjoy the beautiful Cotswold views, the garden is built within a valley so you can imagine the extravagant parties that were held here, centuries ago. Enjoy the sunlight streaming through the trees on your woodland walk and grab a bite to eat at the cafe before you depart. Oh did I mention that they are growing a vineyard there and a food kitchen? Soon, you’ll be able to purchase their wine in their gift shop. Mum and I love local businesses and support where we can. 

Overall, Mum and I had the most amazing time. It was Mum’s first visit to the Cotswolds and she couldn’t get over the natural beauty of the landscape. Although we did visit local places, we found ourselves really enjoying sitting in the hotel gardens and the balcony, just enjoying the views. This trip was equally significant for me, because I had some of the deepest conversations with Mum. The kind of talks you can only rarely have. Most likely because now you're an adult child rather than a child child, and you’re away from home with all the familial baggage. 

We can talk frankly, and one of my fondest memories will be sitting in the balcony until 1am, talking to my mother, as one woman to another. Seeing her not just in the roles of ‘Mum’ and ‘Wife’, but as a woman in her own right. A woman who had dreams and nightmares well before our family came into the picture. She’s human with flaws and she didn't always get everything right. She’s no superhero, but she’s pretty damn close to one. There’s so much wisdom, pain, love and determination beyond her beautiful, brown eyes. We argue as mothers and daughters tend to do, but there’s no person I have higher respect for than her. No woman I hold in higher regard. I strive to be as strong as she is and she has had to be. 

Hands down, this was one of my favourite trips. Sitting in the gardens, enjoying our afternoon tea and listening to the hum of bees in one of the most beautiful corners of England. I want to thank The Painswick hotel and their staff for the incredible hospitality and warmth. We were very well taken care of there and I couldn’t recommend this cosy spot more. As always, I am very grateful for the lovely Bloxham PR agency. They are incredible and their clientele speak volumes in elegance and countryside living. Another trip down to Painswick is due!

Lord Crewe Arms

The family and I in front of the Lord Crewe Arms entrance. How cute are they, please?

My family and I have long been visitors of Blanchland. Being only an hour away from my home city of Sunderland, it was always a great day trip away. There is something truly magical about this honey-stone village. It feels like a world away, despite it being so close to major cities, and I think it's down to the fact that the area has been established since the Mediaeval period. Blanchland Abbey was founded in 1165, by Walter de Bolbec and in 1327 King Edward III stayed at the village during his campaign against the Scots. The cobbled streets and winding lanes lead you to the heartbeat of Blanchland, the beautiful hotel that is the Lord Crewe Arms. Initially built as a guest house for the neighbouring abbey.

The beautiful stonework of these buildings.

I have already expressed that for my family, this hotel and village has sentimental value. My father and brother are obsessed with one of their ales, Best Bitter. We have been known in the past to drive down specifically just for that! So, when the wonderful LCA team and Bloxham PR invited me for a PR stay last month, this was bigger than the already amazing opportunity! Thank you to both of them again for helping me achieve a childhood dream! I had always wanted to stay at the hotel, ever since we had first visited back when I was a little girl. This was also my first ever PR stay and to be able to experience this for the first time in the north east, was the icing on the cake. 

So, I am going to break down what you can do in 48 hours at the Lord Crewe Arms. I would love for you to journey here and experience the wonderful staff, to soak up the amazing history and experience my favourite county of England - Northumberland.

DAY ONE

You awake refreshed from the best night’s sleep in the Radcliffe suite. The stresses of city life rolls away as you open the windows overlooking the abbey and listen to birdsong. If you live in London, then you understand that high water pressure is liquid gold, so you stand in the shower and breathe out all of life’s pressures. 

Your room has an abundant selection of teas and coffees, with shortbread and fudge sweet treats as well. So, pour yourself a mug and breathe. Head down to the restaurant for a good breakfast. I opted for the avocado on sourdough toast, with poached eggs and feta cheese. 

Time to explore, so get those wellies on! March this year was wet and windy, but no such thing as bad weather, only bad attire! Plus, you are in northern England darling, expect the sun to be few and far between. No excuses though, put your field coat on and get wandering. You can enjoy circular walks around the village and there are river trails that are also perfect for dog walkers. Nearby, there is Slaley Forest which is great for woodland trails too. Once you have tired yourself out, it’s time to head back for food. 

And why not opt for the afternoon tea?

The afternoon tea menu is seasonal and you can opt for a champagne version, as well as amend for any dietary requirements. Beyond delicious were the small bites of heaven desserts. My favourite was the pistachio and rhubarb cake. The sweetness mixed with torte felt like a burst of springtime! The sandwiches were stuffed perfectly with filling. A mixture of chicken coronation, egg salad, cheese and chutney, and tuna mayo. Fair to say, I inhaled them!

The evening concludes with the world’s longest soak in the roll top bath. Full disclosure, I am not a bath person. I am a shower get-in-and-get-out kind of gal. The idea of lying in water for hours is just not my vibe. BUT, when in Blanchland…I took a deep breath and submerged. Hearing the gentle birdsong and refusing to look at my phone meant I was conditioned to just sit and soak. And when sitting was a little too much, I read. I actually read a book and it has been a while (I have succumbed to reading from a screen). I felt so at peace. No distractions. The simple joy of a book and bath. 

DAY TWO

Arise on day two and enjoy those simple quiet moments you have before the world (i.e. your mobile) interrupts it. Head downstairs for breakfast and this time, I opted for granola, with fresh fruit and yoghurt. The highlight was the berry compote and I was not the only guest to say so! 

Time to explore the historic Blanchland Abbey, because essentially, we wouldn’t have the village without it. Walking around, under those huge pillars, you will marvel at how humans built this impressive place of worship, and boggle at how it has stood for centuries, close to a 1000 years. Blanchland Abbey is humble in its décor and unassuming in its artworks. A chapel in Rome, it is not! But that’s what makes English churches, abbeys and cathedrals so interesting and diverse in its architectural design.

The beautiful Blanchland Abbey.

Onwards with our exploring of the village. Meet some of the locals along the streets and let them share stories of their home and the magic of this place. Step back in the Lord Crewe Arms for a well deserved lunch and soak in that glorious tub once more (I only have a shower back home)!

If you have journeyed to stay over the weekend, then do not pass up the opportunity for a Sunday roast. This was glorious! A classic meal to dine on with family and friends. Who can resist those giant Yorkshire puds either?!

But like all meals and time spent, it is just as much about the company you keep. I opened with this article and I wanted to highlight once more, how special this place is for my family and I. As an urbanite, it is so hard to switch off and disconnect from the outside noise, but so necessary. As I get older, I appreciate these moments even more.

I have to give my family a special shout out too - they were fully invested in shooting content with me. So much so, they were arguing on who received more close ups in the final version of my reels! And that is what ultimately made this trip so special. I can count on my family to help support me with making media content, to make me laugh as we battled through the rain and cold, and to guide me in these new experiences like PR stays, even if they don’t quite get it sometimes! I am grateful for being on this life journey, and being able to share it with the ones I love.

Whether you venture here solo, with family or friends, you will have the ultimate experience at the Lord Crewe Arms. The team there are an absolute credit to the hotel. Let this magical become your home away from home. Book now!

The dining options here are exquisite. I had slow-cooked ox cheek with panackelty, wild mushrooms, in red wine sauce.