St Mary's Church, Painswick

Painswick church, and churchyard is famous for its special collection of Georgian Tombstones, and its 99 Yew Trees. There are various myths surrounding the Yew Trees. It has also been said that attempts to count them have defied the experts, some saying there are 98, others that there are over 100, yet attempts to add to their number have never been successful.

The village also celebrates the “Clypping” Ceremony, which involves local children joining hands around the church, to form an unbroken chain, as part of an open-air service where the “Clypping Hymn” is sung. This takes place on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of Nativity of the patron saint of the church, St Mary, on or after September 19th every year.

(Information provided by Rosemary Lockie/John Williams)