Built in 1632 and originally all one complex, The Painswick Retreat is made up of three interlinked historic properties, Serenity, Tranquility House and Hallow Cottage (incorporated into Tranquility House), which have finally been brought back together under common ownership for the first time in almost 200 years.

Serenity

Set within a sensitively restored Grade II listed property in the very centre of Painswick — affectionately known as “The Queen of the Cotswolds” — Serenity offers an entirely private sanctuary designed for groups of up to ten guests. It is not simply a place to stay, but a place to pause, restore and reconnect — both with one another and with oneself.

Guests arrive through a private courtyard entrance, where historic stone and original timbers immediately establish a sense of quiet permanence. Within, centuries-old character has been carefully preserved while discreetly integrating contemporary comfort and advanced wellness infrastructure.

Serenity blends 17th-century architectural detail — including original 1632 flooring, historic stonework and exposed ship’s beams — with calming, intimate interiors. Bedrooms feature premium hybrid mattresses, robes, thoughtful lighting and restful palettes designed to support deep sleep and relaxation. Wood-burning stoves, reading nooks and comfortable lounges encourage slower evenings and unhurried conversation.

This wing of the retreat houses many of the estate’s shared experiences, including the cinema, wellness suite and gym, making it the most immersive space within the retreat.

Tranquility House (incorporating Hallow Cottage)

Occupying the distinctive curved corner of St Mary’s Street and Victoria Street, Tranquillity House has played many roles in village life over the centuries. Since being separated from the wider complex, it has variously served as the Painswick dairy, a brewhouse, a toy soldier workshop, an antiques shop, tea rooms and even a fashion outlet.

Returned to residential use in 2010, when it was reunited with the complex, the house has also appeared on screen — featuring in the The Casual Vacancy.

Today, Tranquillity House offers elegant accommodation and generous spaces for sociable living. Light-filled sitting rooms, a well-stocked library, an upright piano and several dining areas create a welcoming setting for gatherings, conversation and unhurried time together.

Bedrooms enjoy elevated views across the village and surrounding valley, with some offering particularly beautiful perspectives of the churchyard and its iconic yew trees.

Tranquillity House also incorporates Hallow Cottage, providing additional private bedrooms and a self-contained kitchenette — ideal for multi-generational stays or for those seeking a little quiet separation within the group.

Principal Highlights

• – Accommodation for up to 24 guests across three interconnected historic residences
• – 24-person private banqueting hall for shared dining and celebrations
• – 4K Ultra HD private cinema with immersive 12-foot Carrada screen and surround sound
• – Dedicated wellness suite with infrared sauna, red light therapy and zero gravity massage chairs
• – Hydrotherapy hot tub in a private courtyard setting
• – Curated gym and fitness space
• – Vaulted cellar bar for relaxed evening gatherings
• – Games and recreation spaces including pool, air hockey, foosball and consoles
• – Multiple kitchens and dining areas for both casual and formal meals
• – Two private courtyard gardens for outdoor dining and relaxation
• – Private courtyard parking for up to five vehicles

Accomodation

10 Bedrooms | Sleeps up to 24 Guests
5 King-Size Bedrooms · 5 Double Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms (Including Ensuites)
4 Sofa Beds for Flexible Family Sleeping
Across Three Interconnected Residences

Combining historic Cotswold character — original beams, stone walls and elevated village or valley views — with carefully considered contemporary comfort, every bedroom is thoughtfully equipped to make guests feel immediately at home. Premium hybrid mattresses, high-quality linens and restful interior palettes create an atmosphere conducive to deep sleep and quiet relaxation after a day of gathering, exploring or enjoying the Retreat’s wellness facilities. Alongside bathrobes, hairdryers and generous towels — including leisure towels for the sauna and gym — rooms feature smart televisions, Echo speakers, luggage racks, full-length mirrors and practical storage. Several rooms incorporate chromotherapy lighting designed to enhance relaxation and support restful sleep, while others offer seating areas, desks or sofa beds for additional comfort and flexibility. Together, the bedrooms provide private sanctuaries within the wider retreat, balancing sociable shared spaces with quiet places to rest and restore.

Dining and Catering

• – Private banqueting hall seating up to 24 guests beneath historic beams and centred around an original Adam fireplace
• – Two fully equipped kitchens across the Retreat
• – Rangemaster range cooker with multiple ovens and six burners
• – Double tower ovens and electric hob
• – American-style fridge freezer and additional refrigeration
• – Dishwashers and full kitchen equipment suitable for large groups
• – Coffee machines for morning gatherings and after-dinner drinks
• – Bibo purified water systems providing hot and chilled drinking water on demand
• – Additional dining tables for smaller group meals and informal dining

The Painswick Retreat has been thoughtfully designed to make cooking and dining together an enjoyable part of the experience. Multiple kitchens and dining areas allow guests to prepare meals comfortably and gather for anything from relaxed breakfasts to celebratory dinners.

Entertainment & Gathering

• – Private 4K Ultra HD cinema with 12-foot Carrada screen and immersive 7.1 surround sound
• – Cinema seating for up to 20 guests with sofas, armchairs and relaxed lounge seating
• – Vaulted cellar bar with drinks fridge, cocktail preparation area, darts and foosball
• – Comfortable sitting rooms with wood-burning stoves
• – Convertible dining / pool / air hockey table for relaxed entertainment
• – Xbox and PlayStation consoles for gaming and media
• – Curated library and board games for quieter evenings
• – Upright piano in the sitting room for music and informal gatherings
• – Smart televisions and Echo speakers in shared living areas

Alongside spaces for rest and dining, The Painswick Retreat offers a variety of comfortable and atmospheric areas where guests can gather, relax and enjoy time together. From quiet evenings by the fire to film screenings or late-night conversations in the cellar bar, the Retreat provides a range of environments suited to both lively and relaxed occasions.

Wellness & Spa

• – Private wellness suite designed as a quiet spa environment
• – Three-person infrared sauna providing deep, penetrating heat to support circulation and relaxation
• – Medical-grade full-body red light therapy panels supporting cellular repair and recovery
• – Zero-gravity massage chairs designed to decompress the spine and calm the nervous system
• – Fully equipped gym with NordicTrack treadmill, elliptical trainer, free weights and functional training space
• – Six-person hydrotherapy hot tub in a private courtyard setting
• – Bedrooms with chromotherapy lighting designed to enhance relaxation and support restful sleep
• – Bibo purified water systems throughout the Retreat providing chilled and hot filtered drinking water

Wellness is at the heart of The Painswick Retreat. The facilities have been thoughtfully integrated throughout the property to create a calm and restorative environment where guests can relax, recover and recharge during their stay.