Designed in the 1740s as a flamboyant pleasure garden for holding intimate garden parties, this hidden valley is now the country's only surviving complete rococo garden. Years of restoration work have saved it from a woodland wilderness, and it is now a stunning place to escape the busy world.

Enjoy beautifully-framed views or hide away in one of the fanciful garden buildings. Drink in the vista from the Eagle House, sit in the Doric Seat, climb the narrow steps to the octagonal Pigeon House and have your photo taken in the Gothic Alcove. All have been lovingly restored over years and are now in the care of Painswick Rococo Garden Trust. The Garden is famed for having one of the largest collections of naturalised snowdrops in the country. Each year, around five million snowdrops bloom, to see the full display visit in February.

There are plentiful spring flowers, the daffodils and tulips are a highlight in March/April and the recreated 18th century Exedra Garden is at its peak in July. The Garden was designed to make the most of the beautiful Cotswold countryside around it, and there are fine views both through and out of the Garden. It was a place to be entertained and to party.