Painshill Park

An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day enjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a «romantic landscape». Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences.
Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-​made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can’t help but be in awe of Hamilton’s vision while at the same time thinking «This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!».
Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit.
Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It’s a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

Painshill Park is a quaint and varied grounds to visit. The main attractions in the park are the many follies dotted around the place, almost like a treasure hunt.
The modern white bridge marks the entrance to the park over the river Mole. The manny follies and landmarks make for stunning views and settings, not suprisingly weddings can be held in these grounds. The gothic temple provides pretty views overlooking the lake. The grotto is also spectacular, which has recently been restored, the glistening crystals make a magical attraction children would love, which doubles up with Santa’s grotto at christmas.
The chinese bridge follows the path round to the other side of the lake. A further walk up through woodland leads you to the Gothic Tower. This is well worth the climb of spiral stairs, for the views over the local area. There is also a turkish tent, a waterwheel and many other features.
The park has its very own vineyard on the banks of the river, and produces its own wine, which can be purchased in the shop, although i have not tasted it yet.
The park is not cheap to enter but if you can make it during the week i beleive they do special offers on Wednesdays. The park never seems to crowded and can make for a great place for picnics in the summer months.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it.
Created by Charles Hamilton, in the mid 18^th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole.
He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent.
Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time.
It’s worth remembering it’s a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley.
Reasonable café near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop.
Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event.
The Grotto is only open at the weekends.
A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Large park that used to be the private grounds of some posh bloke (Charles Hamilton), in posh Cobham. It’s very posh.
The website says that Painshill was created as a romantic landscape to stimulate the senses and emotions of the visitor. What this means is that it’s not just a big expanse of grass — there’s follies, lakes, a water wheel, a grotto (really), and numerous sumptuous views.
The entrance fee is fairly hefty but on the bright side, it keeps the riff raff out (meaning that even on a bright Bank Holiday Monday, my daughter and I encountered maybe another 20 people on our 90 minute walk). Annual memberships are reasonable — you’ll end up breaking even if you visit about four times a year, which is perfectly doable considering that there are plenty of events held at Painshill Park throughout the year. The only downside is that the tea room and the food on offer is a little basic.
Come here if you want a wonderfully picturesque walk. Don’t come here if you just fancy a large open space for the kids to run around in. You’ll find somewhere, but that’s not really the point.

Painshill Park is a park in Cobham that was once the grounds of a stately home. It is filled with many landscaping styles and follies by it’s creator Charles Hamilton. The park was left to ruin for many years but has been restored over the past decades to an impressive level.
There are many follies to visit including a chinese bridge, gothic tower, gothic temple, faux ruined abbey and the most impressive: a grotto filled with thousands of crystals. You’ll want to visit on a weekend as I believe the grotto is closed during the week. It is a manmade cave built alongside a small river providing tiny coves inside the impressive passages. The ceiling is filled with many crystals and is still being painstakingly rebuilt.
Some of the follies provide great views across the park’s lakes, rivers and fields whereas some are hidden away un-​noticed until you walk past them.
The park is about £6.60 to enter and has a small shop and modern restaurant. Well worth a visit.