Month: May 2022

As we head into June, rich summer greens cover the landscape. From the long grass of the meadows to the trees in leaf, the gardens feel full and busting with life. 

It is also the start of our summer events programme! During June and July join us for Live Music Lates, or outdoor theatre in our Walled Garden

Here’s to the start of summer!

1. Live Music Lates

World renowned tribute bands will bring a festival vibe to our stunning gardens every Wed and Thur. In June we will be listening to music from The Bon Jovi Experience, Majesty, Dirty DC and more.

2. Foxgloves and daisies

In summer the wildflower meadows, woodlands and long grass look at their best. Look out for the foxgloves in the woodlands and the large oxeye daisies in the meadows.

3. Outdoor Theatre

Outdoor Theatre in the Walled Garden starts in June and carries on until August. Join us for Shakespeare classics surrounded by beautiful flower beds. On June 9, The Handlebards bring us their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These cycling actors carry everything on their bikes as they tour the country. On June 18, Illyria presents an evening of romance, music and sheer joy – all performed on a stage inspired by those of the Elizabethan touring troupes.

4. Baby birds

We have many goslings and ducklings around the lake this year. Look out for Greylag Geese, Canadian Geese, Egyptian Geese, Coots, Swans, Mallards and Grebes.

5. Common Broom

Common Broom is in bloom around the Ruined Abbey the Temple of Bacchus. Not only is it pretty to look at it gives the area around it a beautiful scent. They are lovely spots to stop for a picnic.

Painshill Park Trust are delighted that our partners in a Surrey-based project to boost biodiversity have won £1.25m from the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund.

The three year ‘Space 4 Nature’ project will see the University of Surrey and the Surrey Wildlife Trust working in partnership with Buglife and the Painshill Park Trust. The team will develop the newly emerging field of Earth Observation to monitor and improve nature restoration work.

The University of Surrey’s academics will use very high-resolution images from space satellites and drones and combine them with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to map areas of the Surrey Hills and Painshill Park. The sophisticated technology means the team can zoom in to less than 0.5m² to identify habitats, spot where dangers and threats to wildlife species lie, and find solutions which help to protect nature, for example, where to create wildlife corridors and B-Lines, a series of insect superhighways.

Paul Griffiths, Director of Painshill Park Trust, said, “We are thrilled that Painshill can contribute important data needed to protect wildlife in Surrey and we look forward to working with all the partners involved in this exciting project. Thank you to all the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery who have made this possible.”

Sarah Jane Chimbwandira, CEO of Surrey Wildlife Trust, said:

“Space 4 Nature will transform our ability to survey and assess land, allowing us to target conservation work so that it can have the biggest impact on biodiversity. During the project, we will create at least 30 hectares of habitat for pollinators. Coupling hi-tech solutions with boots on the ground will allow us to monitor the impact of this habitat creation on individual species and apply successful interventions for these species elsewhere in Surrey and beyond.  

The vision for this project is to connect Surrey’s nature by mapping and identifying the best areas of Surrey which can act as corridors to support a huge variety of species including bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals. Working with landowners, volunteers and community groups we aim to transform the plight of threatened species in Surrey.”    

Richard Murphy, Professor of Sustainability at the University of Surrey and academic lead on the Space 4 Nature project, said, “This project will be the first to involve expert ecologists and citizen scientists with the latest Earth Observation technology and artificial intelligence. It will fundamentally change the way we work in biodiversity and habitat management, providing the data so desperately needed to identify and monitor the best conservation approaches. It’s a new, powerful innovation for nature’s recovery which gives future generations a solution to a systemic problem and protects our planet.”

Launched in 2011, the Dream Fund gives charities a chance to deliver projects they have always dreamed of but never had the opportunity to bring to life. The fund has so far supported 40 ‘Dream’ projects, awarding £24 million to inspirational initiatives. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £900 million for charities and good causes working across Britain and beyond. 

Painshill was delighted on 16 May to welcome James Hamilton, 5^th Duke of Abercorn, to visit the Park and take a tour of the landscape. He was accompanied by his son James Hamilton, Marquess of Hamilton. 

The Duke of Abercorn is a Patron of the Painshill Park Trust and lineal descendant of The Honourable Charles Hamilton, who created Painshill between 1738 and 1773.

The title is a Peerage of Ireland.  The first Lord Abercorn received his title in 1603 from James VI (James I of England) in acknowledgement of his service to the King.  The family title was elevated to Earl in 1606, Marquess in 1790 and Duke in 1898.

Sir Stephen Lamport, Chairman of Painshill Park Trust, said “Charles Hamilton was a brilliantly gifted garden designer who created one of the finest English Landscape Gardens in the world. But Painshill’s family connection was lost over the years.  The father of the present Duke of Abercorn never had the delight of a visit to Painshill because the garden had fallen into disrepair and been effectively lost, so it was a particular pleasure to be able to show the present Duke and his son the wonderful progress the charity has made to restore Painshill to their ancestor Charles Hamilton’s original vision.”

Don’t mind the “weeds”,

we’re feeding the bees!

Many visitors to Painshill will be aware that over the summer we leave the grass to grow long across many of the meadows. Before you ask, no our Head Gardener hasn’t misplaced his lawn mower! Long grass encourages a wealth of wildflowers which in turn support pollinators and other insects. 

Biodiversity is key to combating climate change and the mass extinction of animal life. Ensuring the ground plants have light and are left to grow is an important part of Painshill’s plan. 

In recent years the science behind rewilding is growing in popularity and #NoMowMay is seeing millions take to social media to highlight the importance of allowing your lawn to grow a little wild. The gardeners at Painshill have been practicing this style of gardening for 250 years. Part of Charles Hamilton’s 18th century design always included open meadows of flowers. 

Pathways and picnic spots will be cut into the grass so our visitors can enjoy the landscape. We hope you will come along and sit near the wildflowers to experience the beauty of the long grass, enjoy the fluttering butterflies and take in the sounds of summer. 

Painshill Park Trust is delighted that The Great Cedar has been chosen as part of a nationwide network of 70 Ancient Trees to be dedicated to The Queen in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.

The tree at Painshill is part of a UK-wide network of 70 ancient woodlands and 70 ancient trees unveiled by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, in his role as Patron of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC).

By sharing the stories behind the Ancient woodlands and trees, as well as the incredible efforts that are made to protect them, The Queen’s Green Canopy aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.

The Prince of Wales, who is also a Royal Patron of the Painshill Park Trust, said: “Trees and woodlands have a profound significance for us all – their steadfast and reassuring presence a reminder of our long serving Sovereign and her enduring dedication. Let us ensure that in her name we can now protect and strengthen this wonderful living Canopy for the next seventy years and, hopefully, way beyond. And, above all, let us ensure that future generations can celebrate and enjoy them.”

Sir Stephen Lamport, Chairman of the Painshill Park Trust, said: “We are overjoyed that the Great Cedar at Painshill has been chosen to form part of this nationwide network, playing a meaningful part in the nationwide celebrations of Her Majesty’s work over 70 years of service. We are honoured to have The Prince of Wales as our Royal Patron and to be able to honour Her Majesty and her Jubilee in such a fitting way.”

The Great Cedar, a tree planted by Charles Hamilton in the 18^th century, has become the largest multi-stemmed Cedar in Europe and stands at 118 foot high. Hamilton, the creator of Painshill, was described as “painting with plants” and he used them to create atmosphere and beauty. He planted The Great Cedar to draw the eye of the visitor and create a dramatic moment in a view.

The tree has survived wars, drought, storms and a lighting strike. It has even survived the loss of the 18^th century garden after World War II. The garden was sold off in plots and fell into ruin. The Cedar lived on to see the restoration of the garden begin in 1981 with the founding of the Painshill Park Trust.

The Great Cedar has always been important to the community. It has inspired artists and poets, people have scaled its heights, Merrist Wood Collage have used it for training and many thousands of school children have enjoyed activities around it. It is labelled a Champion Tree for its width.

The Great Cedar is beloved today by Painshill members and visitors. Painshill grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when local people turned to nature and green outdoor spaces for some tranquility in troubled times. The community rallied behind Painshill and raised over £50,000 to help the garden survive lockdown and reopen safely. In summer 2020 we lit up The Great Cedar blue as a tribute to everyone working hard to get the country through the pandemic.

In 2022, Painshill Park Trust planted a new cedar to mark the Queen’s 70th year and celebrate what the species has brought to the landscape.