Month: November 2022

Who says a garden is just for summer! The Painshill landscape has a different kind of beauty over the winter months, but it is still spectacular. Low mists can hang over the lake in the mornings or snow can fall and turn it into a winter wonderland.

At the weekend families flock to Painshill for the winter statue trail and the atmosphere is fun and festive. In the week the landscape is often quiet, offering calm and tranquil walks to its visitors.

Here’s 5 things to enjoy at Painshill in December….

1. Frosty Follies

On cold days you might be tempted to stay indoors, but getting out into the landscape is worth it. Wrap up warm and you are rewarded with sparkling bridges and frost covered follies.

In winter the bare trees open up views that are covered in the summer months. 18th century visitors would delight in capturing a glimpse of the Temple of Bacchus or the Five Arch Bridge, in an order that was intended to intrigue and charm the visitor. Come along once the leaves and dropped and see the difference yourself.

2. Evergreens

As the leaves drop it can’t help but highlight the steadfast evergreens. Winter is the time to admire and celebrate them just as we decorate our houses with them and make wreaths from their branches. Painshill offers many beautiful spots to enjoy them including Alpine Valley and Fir Walk. Look out for incredible trees like The Great Cedar and winter heroes like holly and mistletoe.

3. Superheroes

Talking of heroes! Painshill’s festive winter trail runs throughout December. Go in search for Superman, watch out for Wonder Woman, hunt for Hulk and see if you can spot Spiderman. It’s fun for all children,(and for those young at heart too!).

4. Christmas Treats

Festive treats are now available in the Tea Room. Warm up with a mulled wine, indulge in a mince pie or bring a smile to someone’s face with a superhero cake.

5. Painshill Sparkling Wine

The Painshill Gift Shop is full of Christmas decorations and gifts. Pick up something for your tree or treat someone special to our signature Kitchen Garden Gin. We are expecting a delivery of wine in the next 2 weeks. Look our for our email once it is in stock and grab yourself a bottle, just in time for Christmas!

Painshill’s brand new car park will be open for its first visitors from 10am on Wednesday 9 November.

Visitors to Painshill will be very aware that the old car park deteriorated very quickly in bad weather. It become extremely uneven and muddy. In winter large sections of it unusable and Painshill struggled to provide people with easy parking, accessibility and a welcoming entrance.

We are delighted that the new car park offers a hard grid and stone surface which will offer a greatly improved visitor experience for drivers and secure the future of Painshill.

This project would not have been made possible without Elmbridge Borough Council who assisted us via the Community Infrastructure Levy. We offer them huge thanks for their continued support of Painshill Park Trust.

We would also like to say thank you to Motion for project managing, Breheny Civil Engineering for the construction of the site and to Councillor Simon Waugh, The Mayor of Elmbridge, for joining us to open it.

Thank you to all our members and visitors for their patience while the building work was completed. We very much hope that you will find arriving at Painshill a much better experience in the future!

Due to mild weather, autumn colour is late this year. Even though we are into November there is still plenty to enjoy! Come along for a walk in a work of art and enjoy the falling leaves and the stunning sights.

Here’s 5 things to enjoy at Painshill in November.

1. Autumn colour

The John Bartram Heritage Collection of American trees and shrubs can be found across Painshill, particularly around the Chinese Bridge which casts a stunning reflection on a still day.

2. Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing, a technique that was developed in Japan in the 1980s, is fast becoming very popular in the West.

Despite the name, the activity doesn’t involve getting into water! It is about practicing meditation while surrounded by trees. You can give it a go with our beginners guide or with one of our sessions in the landscape.

3. Superheroes!

Painshill’s festive winter trail starts on Saturday 19 November. Go in search for Superman, watch out for Wonder Woman, hunt for Hulk and see if you can spot Spiderman. It’s fun for all the family!

4. Walkies across the Woollett Bridge

We were hugely excited that our damaged Woollett Bridge was replaced with a brand new steel one last month. We have received lots of lovely pictures from our regular dog walkers. Why not join in the fun and send us a picture of your canine companions crossing the lake!

5. Autumn shopping

The Gift Shop at Painshill is full of autumn delights including hats, scarfs, blankets and ear warmers. Treat yourself or start your Christmas shopping early with Painshill Gin, Painshill honey or our new Painshill jigsaws in stock now.