Month: March 2020

As many of your will know Painshill is a small independent charity. We cannot survive without ticket admissions, events, Tea Room sales and membership income.

During 2020 we were closed for nine week to help stop the spread of Coronavirus, we are asking if people would be kind enough to support us through these troubled times. Even a small donation will make a huge difference to us, your contribution could mean that we survive this crisis.

1. Donate today

The easiest way to support Painshill is to make a donation. We have a set up a donation page via Just Giving where you can securely and easily donate any amount. This can be a one-off or a monthly donation.

You can also use JustGiving to:

• Celebrate an occasion, by asking friends for donations rather than birthday gifts for example
• Remember someone – you can pay tribute to a loved one by collecting donations in their memory
• Do your own thing – such as a head shave, or giving up chocolate (just make sure you follow guidelines for social distancing)

2. Become a member

Our members are our key supporters and when you join the Painshill family you will get free entry, a newsletter and discounts across the site.

We urge all members to keep up their membership direct debits or renewals at this time. Your support has never been needed more than it is now.

3. Buy a membership for a local key worker

If you are already a member or you would like to do something for the local community as well as Painshill why not consider a gift membership?

One of our long standing supporters started this when he came to us and asked if he could gift a membership to an NHS worker. He wanted to support Painshill but also offer thanks to amazing local people working on the front line.

To do this, all you need to do, is go to gift memberships. When asked for the members details pop in ‘NHS worker’ into the boxes and we will see it. We have been reaching out to local NHS and care workers on our Facebook page and people have been nominating key workers to receive these memberships. If you purchase a gift membership for a front line worker Painshill will match it!

4. Spread the word on social media

If you would like to tell your followers that you have donated or share our donation page we would be very grateful. A recommendation coming from you to your friends can be far more powerful than anything we can say.

5. Come along and visit us!

We have now reopened. Come along and enjoy the landscape after what has been a long lockdown. Social distance easily in 158 acres with our new procedures. Tickets are limited and must be booked online in advance for everyone’s safety.

Thank you so much and we hope to see you very soon.

Never has it been clearer to the team at Painshill that open, beautiful spaces are important. They promote well-being, allow people to be mindful and offer peace in stressful modern times.

While we tried to stay open we had a number of messages of support as people showed their gratitude for having access to nature.

Even though we are now closed we still want to promote what we stand for. We would love to share with you some of our ideas about how you can look after yourselves and your health during these uncertain times.

1. Follow Painshill and other gardens on social media

We will be endeavouring to bring you images, videos and stories of Painshill while we are closed. Many gardens across the country will be doing the same. Some are live streaming calming scenes, others are running a podcast or video blog. There has never been a better time to get online. We all need beautiful things to look at… even if it is just digitally!

2. Take your daily exercise outside

We are allowed to leave the house once a day for exercise. Try to use that trip to go somewhere natural. Take your online workout video into your garden, enjoy a walk in an open park (as long as it’s not too busy) or, if you are lucky enough to live in the countryside, get out for walks, runs and bike rides. Our friends at Visit Surrey might be able to help with where to walk in Surrey. Known for its big, green, open spaces, like the Surrey Hills, there are places you can go where you will not see other people. Just remember to keep it local to you and stay 2 metres away from others.

3. Get out in your garden

We have been advised to treat our gardens as an extension of our house as long as we are careful when seeing neighbours. Likewise, those with allotments can still visit them. Interest in gardening and vegetable growing is increasing as people turn to nature for comfort in these troubled times. We recommend The English Garden as a wonderful source of how to guides. Their next issue will be on how to make the most of a small space.

4. Make a difference to the natural world

Seeing as you have a little more time in your garden, why not make some small changes that will make a big difference to the environment. Climate change might have gone out of the headlines but it is still a major challenge. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have supported our restoration work, have some brilliant ideas on how to get started.

5. Tend house plants

House plants can brighten your rooms, purify your air and boost your mood. If you don’t have a garden or you would like to bring your garden indoors why not start a collection on your windowsill or make use of a balcony. The shops might be closed but there are places to buy them online. Take a look at the recommendations from Gardener’s World.

6. Get bird spotting

One way you might stay connected to the natural world is to start watching out for the wildlife that’s all around you. Pop some bird seed out and see how many different species come along. You don’t necessarily need a garden – there are bird seed dispensers that can stick onto a window pane or hang from the side of a balcony.

7. Get the kids involved

With the kids stuck at home nothing could be better for their mental health, in our opinions, than getting stuck into some gardening. Why not make your garden wildlife friendly? The Surrey Wildlife Trust have resources to help you build a bug house or a home for hedgehogs.

8. Take a walk through Painshill with BBC Radio Four

Did you know you can take a walk through Painshill without leaving your couch? BBC Radio Four were with us in November 2019 to take a walk and record their experience. You can listen to the programme on playback here.

9. Stream your favourite wildlife documentary

You can’t beat a bit of David Attenborough. While you have some time for TV while not re-visit some of your favourites. Personally I don’t think you can beat the opening of Blue Planet 1. Surely nothing is more awe-inspiring than a Blue Whale. Blue Planet 2 is available on i-player. 

10. Try your hand at wildlife photography

In your garden or on your daily exercise take your camera with you. Capturing wildlife and landscape scenes can be a great way to connect with them more. Why not see the world slightly differently by trying out a macro or a zoom lens? Share your pictures with family and friends.,, and on our social media channels! We all need to keep our spirits up. We are all in this together!

Stay safe and best wishes from the Painshill team.

Painshill is situated on the River Mole with the river marking the boundary of Painshill’s land. The Mole runs the entire length of the estate and almost encircles the Visitor Centre and Kitchen Gardens.

The river is vital to the landscape design. Our Waterwheel raises water from the River Mole and feeds the Cascade. Without it the man-made Serpentine Lake, a key feature in the Painshill views, would not exist.

However being situated on the river has it’s difficulties. This winter’s heavy rainfall led the river to burst its bank twice. The first was just before Christmas and during our Santa event in the Crystal Grotto. It was heart-breaking for the Painshill team to let down families hoping to see Santa but we were forced to cancel 2 days and refund tickets. Our events raise vital funds to protect and restore the landscape for all to enjoy.

The river then rose again in February causing Painshill to close for 24 hours.

Here are some of the photos of the aftermath.

One of the main features to be affected is the Crystal Grotto, which has previously won awards for its restoration. When the flood water recedes it leaves behind a layer of silt across the crystals and they must be painstakingly cleaned by our team of Grotto Maintenance Volunteers. It has damaged the emergency lighting meaning we can’t open the Grotto safely without a member of the team until the electrics are fixed.

We are open again and the landscape is looking beautiful! However as a small independent charity these events have hit Painshill hard. We are currently raising money to help make spring a better season! If you would like to make a real difference to this very special place please consider donating today.

Ways that you can help

Donate today

Come and visit us (the daffodils are looking lovely!)

Become a member (and gain brilliant benefits!)

Volunteer with us

Visit us for an event

Treat yourself in the Tea Room or Gift Shop (all profits go to the Painshill Park Trust)

Spread the word about Painshill on Social Media