Painswick Rococo Garden is facing an enormous challenge and has launched a crowdfunding appeal for £60,000, to help it relocate its visitor facilities to a new area on the same site.
The charitable trust that owns the Cotswold-based attraction leases its current welcome building, and with the lease due to end in September 2022, the organisation needs to create temporary facilities to operate from.
Painswick Rococo Garden gained planning permission for a new purpose-built visitor centre in 2019, but funding challenges and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have made these plans unviable — so the attraction is appealing to the public for help.
With moving out of the current Coach House complex deemed the only way to protect its long-term future, an urgent Crowdfunder appeal has been launched to fund a new welcome area for visitors, which will include a café, toilets, gift shop and a picturesque seating area with views across the garden.
As one of Gloucestershire's best-loved attractions, Painswick Rococo Garden dates back to the early 1700s and is Britain's only complete surviving example of a Rococo garden that's open to visitors. It's maintained by a dedicated team of staff and over 70 volunteers, who give their time to preserve its rich heritage and protect its habitats.
The garden offers fun family days out and a relaxing space for people to connect with culture and learn about its fascinating history — expecting to attract 45,000 visitors from all over the world in 2022.
Dominic Hamilton, garden director at Painswick Rococo Garden, said: 'It’s an ambitious project, but we are excited by this opportunity to provide our visitors with something new. Once complete, visitors will have a beautiful space to relax and enjoy this unique environment.
'Our plans are simple and in-keeping with the Garden’s setting. To make these plans a reality, we urgently need your help at this challenging time. £60,000 will enable us to deliver our plans and continue to provide a warm welcome to our wonderful visitors.'
Supporters can receive exclusive rewards in return for their donation, spanning signed art prints and annual memberships, to the chance to shadow a gardener and even hire the whole garden for your own private party.
To make a donation, visit Painswick Rococo Garden's Crowdfunder page via crowdfunder.co.uk/supportrococo.
