St Mary's churchyard in Painswick is famous for its 99 clipped yew trees, many of which were planted in the 18th century. Local legend insists that there can never be 100 trees — whenever a hundredth is planted, the devil kills it. The reality is less dramatic: the count varies depending on how you define a separate tree. The churchyard also contains remarkable 17th and 18th-century table tombs carved by local masons, considered among the finest in England. The annual Clipping Ceremony (from 'ycleping', meaning embracing) sees the church encircled by parishioners holding hands.
“The reality is less dramatic: the count varies depending on how you define a separate tree.”
