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.
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legend · Cotswold Way
The 99 Yew Trees of Painswick
Legend holds that there can never be more than 99 yew trees in Painswick churchyard — the devil always kills the hundredth.
“The reality is less dramatic: the count varies depending on how you define a separate tree.”
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