Originally the town grew from the wool trade, but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees and the local Rococo Garden.

This can be seen in Kimsbury hill fort, a defensive earthwork on nearby Painswick Beacon, which has wide views across the Severn Vale.

A Roman villa was built just to the north of the present village,[2] dated by Welbore St Clair Baddeley to the late second century.

[4] During the first English Civil War (1642–45) Gloucester was a Parliamentarian stronghold of some strategic importance, but it was surrounded by forces loyal to King Charles I.

After the siege of Gloucester was broken on 5 September 1643, the Royalist army, which had been surrounding the city, encamped overnight at Painswick, with the king staying at Court House.

In 1987, Gyde House was offered for free to Coral Atkins, an English actress, for supporting children who had experienced severe abuse.

For the purposes of local government, the civil parish of Painswick includes the neighbouring villages of Edge, Paradise, Sheepscombe and Slad.

Three customs were historically followed: feasting, drinking and disorderly conduct; clipping the church; and eating "dog pie".

[17][better source needed] While Royalists were encamped in Painswick, tradition has it that King Charles I went up to the Beacon and, seeing the beautiful valley to the east said "This must be Paradise".

During the 18th century a group of gentry, led by Benjamin Hyett II, organised an annual procession dedicated to Pan, during which a statue of the deity was held aloft, and people shouted "Highgates!

Seddon's successor, however, was less appreciative of the pagan festival and put an end to it in 1950, when he had Pan's statue buried,[18] although it was later dug up and placed within the grounds of Painswick House.