Our ‘on your doorstep’ series continues to discover the best kept secrets and hidden gems in Surrey and South West London. You won’t be short of choice when it comes to landscaped gardens and discovery walks in Surrey, there is a great range of fantastic attractions that offer stunning scenery and plenty to see and explore all year round.
Discover Painshill: Stunning Landscape Garden in Cobham
Painshill, the stunning landscape garden in Cobham, has everything for a great day out. Winding paths will take you on a journey to walk around a living piece of art, with stunning views and beautiful garden buildings. Stroll around a serpentine lake, wander through woodlands and discover romantic follies including the Temple of Bacchus, Gothic Tower and Ruined Abbey.
Created between 1738 and 1773 by the Hon. Charles Hamilton, Painshill was designed as a living painting. After going on Grand Tour Hamilton set around creating a circuit walk where beautiful vistas and dramatically placed buildings would unfold before you. The landscape is one of the foremost and finest English Landscape Gardens in the world and went on to inspire garden designers, poets, writers and artists.
In more recent times it has inspired filmmakers and has been used as a location for Netflix’s smash-hit Bridgerton. It has also featured in ITV’s Vanity Fair, Dorian Grey, Suffragette, Black Mirror and HBO’s The Nevers.
What makes Painshill special?
One of the highlights of Painshill is the sparkling Crystal Grotto. This magical cave has a ceiling covered in crystal stalactites. On a sunny day, shafts of light pierce the interior through carefully placed openings in the ceiling. The light makes the crystals sparkle as it bounces off the coral pools and lake water.
Other features in the garden include a rustic Hermitage hidden in the woods, a vineyard, a Waterwheel and majestic trees.
Something for everyone…
For families there is a natural play area and wildlife spotting trails. Dogs are very welcome on short fixed leads.
Visit their Tea Room or pop-up cafés to complete your day out. Seasonal menus use produce grown in their Kitchen Garden. Or you can bring along a picnic of your own.
If you are moving to the area then you will definitely want to take a look at membership. Painshill is beautiful all year around, with striking displays of daffodils in spring and a heritage collection of plants that produce stunning autumn colour. Tickets for one day can also be purchased and are cheaper when brought online in advance.
Take a look at the Painshill website for all the information.
