Gloucestershire's original pleasure garden, Painswick Rococo Garden, is bringing two popular family events back for its 2024 spring programme — living up to its reputation as one of the county's top visitor attractions.
This Easter, dragons are swooping back into Painswick to nest, with freshly laid dragon eggs to discover all over the garden from Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April 2024.
The Cotswold Dragon Conservation Society is once again calling on budding dragonologists to help locate the eggs before the baby dragons hatch — and there's the chance to make some remarkable discoveries as never-before-seen species are rumoured to visit the nesting ground.
An unmissable event that's sure to capture their imagination, children need to scramble through the maze, search the follies and seek high and low in the woodland to find the magical eggs, with a chocolate prize at the end of the trail.
The dragon egg hunt costs £2.50 per child in addition to standard admission.
Rococo Garden, which is famously dog-friendly, also has it on good authority that four-legged friends have a special ability to sniff out dragon eggs and invites dogs on short leads to join the egg hunt.
On the topic of dogs, Painswick Rococo Garden is teaming up with the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home to host its second annual family dog show on Saturday 18 May 2024.
Families can see if their furry friends have what it takes to be named top dog across a range of categories, including prettiest girl; most handsome male; and cutest pup. Don't miss the grand finale, when the winning dogs from each category go head-to-head to win best in show, too.
There's also a 'my best friend and me' round, giving children the chance to enter with their dogs, as well as additional kids' games and craft activities to take part in.
Each dog show class costs £2 to enter, with all funds from the dog show and additional activities — plus 10 per cent of Rococo Garden's admissions total for the day — going to support the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home.
Nature lovers can expect stunning displays of seasonal beauty, too, from spring bulbs blooming in the Exedra Garden to carpets of daffodils. Rococo Garden has planted around 100,000 of the famous yellow flowers in the last six years, creating a floral spectacle that's not to be missed!
For aspiring artists, the attraction is also hosting its first plein air art competition on Saturday 11 May 2024, encouraging people to get creative in the great outdoors and have their work of art professionally judged for the chance to win cash prizes.
Painswick Rococo Garden is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, as well as every day during the school holidays.
Tickets can be booked online in advance via rococogarden.org.uk, costing from £11.60 for adults and £5.40 for children aged four to 16. Admission is free for little ones under four.
