Month: April 2022

1. Bluebells

This bright blue spring flower is in bloom in areas across Painshill. Head to the woodland behind the Ruined Abbey or the bottom of the Turkish Tent to see them. Don’t forget to stop and take in their scent.

2. Wild Garlic in flower

Wild garlic grows all the way along the banks of the River Mole. You can spot the stunning delicate white flowers when walking along the south of the lake and around the Mausoleum and cascade.

3. Wildflower meadows

May is the month that the grass starts to grow long across the open areas at Painshill. We don’t mow it in order to encourage wildflowers. This aids the biodiversity of plants in the area and creates food and a habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. The first to come up are the buttercups and daisies.

4. Daisies along the bottom of the vineyard

One of the first flowers growing in the grass is the daisy. This year there are are heaps on them along the bottom of the vineyard.

5. Nesting birds

Bring along a pair of binoculars on your visit and you can watch nesting birds on the islands in the lake. Painshill is home to ducks, geese, swans and many other lake birds. Although we can’t predict the timings, every year we will have families of coots, cygnets and often ducklings.

Broadcaster and writer Alan Titchmarsh MBE spoke of the importance of preserving Britain’s landscape gardening heritage as he agreed to become Patron of the Painshill Park Trust.

The renowned gardening expert accepted the position on a visit to Painshill, where he chatted with trustees, staff and volunteers and took a tour of our historic 18th century gardens.

He joins HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Patron of the Trust, in supporting the ongoing work to restore the gardens, which fell into ruin after the Second World War.

Mr Titchmarsh said: “It was a pleasure to visit Painshill recently and to see for myself the extraordinary progress which has been made over 40 years of restoration. I am delighted to become a Patron of this wonderful charity and I hope we can continue the important work to restore and preserve Painshill for current and future generations.”

Sir Stephen Lamport, Chairman of Painshill Park Trust, said: “Painshill is an exceptionally important piece of Britain’s heritage.  We are delighted that Alan Titchmarsh has kindly agreed to become one of our Patrons.

“We very much look forward to his association with our work to secure Painshill’s legacy as one of the finest examples of the English Landscape Movement.”

As Patron, one of Mr Titchmarsh’s first priorities is to support ongoing fundraising efforts for the restoration of the Woollett Bridge at Painshill.

The bridge is a vital part of the popular Painshill circular walk, allowing visitors to leave the park’s unique Crystal Grotto and cross the stunning lake in the heart of the landscape.

Heavy flooding in recent years has caused serious rotting and the bridge, currently supported by temporary structures, must be replaced.

Our appeal was launched in 2021 with the aim of raising the £120,000 to £130,000 needed to build a replacement.

Mr Titchmarsh said: “The project to replace the Woollett Bridge is vital to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy this historic landscape and have access to the amazing Crystal Grotto. Painshill is a sanctuary for people and preserving it for future generations is a very worthy cause. Please join me in supporting Painshill by donating today and spreading the word about this important project.’

To find out more about donating to the Woollett Bridge appeal, please visit: www.painshill.co.uk/support-painshill/latest-restoration-project/

1. The Gothic Tower

The Gothic Tower will open from Saturday 1 until Sunday 16 April. Climb to the top, admire the view and treat yourself to snacks and drinks in the pop-up café.

2. Wild Garlic in flower

Wild garlic grows all the way along the banks of the River Mole. You can spot the stunning delicate white flowers when walking along the south of the lake and around the Mausoleum and cascade.

3. Fresh leaves on the trees

Spring has truly sprung! The fresh leaves are coming out of the trees, starting with the ash and sycamore trees.

4. Dragons

Magical beasts have come to lay their eggs at Painshill this springtime. It is a trail that’s perfect for all the family. Pick up a route map in the Visitor Centre and see if you can spot them all.

5. Vines emerging

The landscape staff and volunteers work hard in the vineyard throughout the year. New vines are planted in the autumn and hopefully we will soon start to see the fruits (grapes!) of their labours. April is when the fresh growth starts to appear.