On 15th October, 75 members, split into morning and afternoon tours, discovered the delights of Painshill Park. The morning tours finished with sandwiches & cakes whereas the afternoon groups had a cream tea. The weather was perfect despite heavy showers the day before. 

Painshill Park is a masterpiece of garden design created in the 18th century by Charles Hamilton, son of the Sixth Earl of Abercorn, who embarked on two world tours and gathered ideas in landscape art. These he translated into a garden that would be ‘picturesque’ or living paintings.

He returned to the UK and bought parcels of land in Cobham which he moulded into the design he wanted. His main feature is a 14  acre serpentine lake, fed by the River Mole. During WW2 the grounds were sold off in lots. After WW2 it all fell into ruin. In 1981 the Painshill Park Trust was created to restore the gardens to their former magnificence.

Our guides took around 20 members for each tour. All followed roughly the same route. We began with views across the lake and a small vineyard, reputed to produce a sparkling wine to rival some of the best champagnes.

We then walked to the Great Lawn with two main features. A statue which is a copy of one he saw in Italy. Then the stunning Gothic Temple, made of wood but stuccoed to make it look like stone. This is often used for weddings with a superb vista down to the lake and five-arch bridge.

After taking in the views, we meandered down a steep path to the lakeside to view the Ruined Abbey which is brick, made on the estate, covered on the lake side to look like stone. Although one of the last of Hamilton’s buildings, it was among the first to be restored by the Trust.

The fun bit was next. The beautiful listed Chinese Bridge is unsafe so a pontoon has been erected so you can cross the lake. Quite a balancing act as it wobbled when we walked across.

On to the Crystal Grotto, a man-made feature with bubbling water and stalactites covered in crystal (including amethysts). We were shown how the stalactites are made using a wooden structure then covered with many slithers of crystal attached by hand.

On leaving the grotto we followed the lake around and through a ‘darker’ area, supposed to mimic feelings of melancholy, to the Ruined Arch. Here we had good views of the Turkish Tent on a hill and the Temple of Bacchus. One group visited these and ended up with a late tea compared to the rest.

The next highlight was the five-arched bridge, one of several Painshill locations featured on the Bridgerton TV series (among others). We returned to the visitor centre past the old Ice House.

An enjoyable visit and several had never been before although it is on our doorstep. Others said they learnt a lot of history of the park which would otherwise have passed them by.

Christine Cunliffe, Events Organiser