Married At First Sight UK returns to Painshill

Did you spot Painshill on Married At First Sight? The popular television show returned to Painshill to film this year’s final commitment ceremonies.

Painshill’s iconic backdrops and scenery made it the perfect place for filming the dramatic show, full of twists, turns and with a surprise around each corner, much like Painshill’s own landscape!

Pictured: Jordan and Erica in the woodlands at Painshill. Credit: Simon Johns/Channel 4

Married at First Sight is based on a social experiment where single people are matched by experts to someone who is thought to be a suitable life partner. Participants then meet and marry their chosen spouse on their actual wedding day. As you can imagine, it makes for some interesting watching as the couples get to know their new partner.

Pictured: Matt and Adrienne on the Five Arch Bridge, Painshill. Credit: E4

The show airs on Channel 4 and Painshill is featured in Series 8 across a few episodes. The couples renew their vows in footage that showcases many locations across the Painshill landscape.

Open daily, the landscape is full of history and beauty. Whether visiting for a first date, an anniversary or a special day trip together, Painshill is infused with romance. Explore enchanting follies like the Ruined Abbey sitting theatrically by the lake side or the Temple of Bacchus high on the hill. Wander through the woodland or stroll around the serene Serpentine lake.

Pictured: Peggy and Georges at the Mausoleum, Painshill. Credit: Simon Johns/Channel 4

Glorious views, romantic follies and picturesque bridges combine to make the 18th century landscape gardens at Painshill in Surrey a magical place for couples.

Are you feeling inspired and are in search of a breathtaking venue?

If the answer is yes, a wedding at Painshill provides a wealth of possibilities to enjoy the most romantic scenery in the entire United Kingdom.

Pictured: The Gothic Temple, Painshill

To find out what Painshill can offer for your nuptials, don’t hesitate to email us at weddings@painshill.co.uk or click the button below for more information

Painshill is a picture perfect location

Painshill boasts a stunning array of different locations and backdrops, offering you a completely unique wedding ceremony with endless photo opportunities.

Pictured: Photoshoot at The Gothic Temple, Painshill. Credit: The Italian Dream

Painshill can not only offer your chosen ceremony location for the big ‘I do’, but also host the reception which is new for 2024.

Pictured: The Wall Garden, Painshill

Following your ceremony, welcome your guests into our stunning 18th century Walled Garden, exclusively yours for the whole day. The garden boasts beautiful flower beds and a manicured lawn, offering a wealth of flexibility and a blank canvas for you to create your perfect wedding reception.

writing outdoors notebook journal

Poet in Residence at Painshill

We are delighted to announce that for 2024, Painshill will welcome Nia Broomhall as our Poet in Residence.

Nia is originally from Somerset but now lives in Farnham and has just completed a Masters degree in Creative Writing with Lancaster University.

A teacher for 22 years, she is currently Co-Head of English at a comprehensive school in Surrey. She was Highly Commended in the Winchester Poetry Prize in 2022 and 2023 and has been published in several poetry magazines and anthologies. She has been coming to Painshill since her teenagers were babies; it is very much her happy place and is delighted to be apart of this new venture.

Photo: Nia Broomhall

Nia will host the first of a series of Poetry Writing Workshops on Tuesday 23 January.

Join Nia to use the beautiful surroundings of Painshill as inspiration for your own poems that explore your relationship with the natural world and the seasons. The workshop provides a great opportunity to try your hand at something new in the New Year. Or perhaps book the workshop as a really unique Christmas gift for a creative loved one. No previous writing experience necessary

Nia’s residency at Painshill is being supported by the Arts Council England through a funding grant, allowing Nia to help others who have an interest in exploring how to write poetry.

For more of an insight in to Nia’s work, you can follow her on Nia Broomhall (@niaandthepoems) / X (twitter.com)

To find out more and to book a place, click the link below:

Whilst feeling creative, explore some more locations that your poetry journey may take you in Painshill

Visit and explore whilst feeling creative: Explore Painshill landscape garden in Cobham, Surrey

Photo: Five Arch Bridge view

Poet in Residence at Painshill

trustees week 2023

Trustees’ Week 2023

As our supporters will know, Painshill is run by a small independent charity. It is only with the work and dedication of an army of volunteers that we are able to continue to maintain and restore the historic landscape for future generations to come.

Painshill is fortunate to have a dedicated team of Trustees, who work on a volunteer basis, and this week we would like to recognise the huge contribution they make to the Painshill Park Trust. The ten-person strong group enjoys the expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm of Trustees with varying backgrounds who bring with them a wealth of invaluable experience. Our Trustees are the backbone of the Trust and help to shape the vision for Painshill into the future. Painshill simply would not exist without the guidance and support of this incredible group of people.

Thank you to each and every one of our Trustees.

To read more about each of Painshill’s Trustees, please click here.

Photo: The Crystal Grotto
Painshill's Ruined Abbey looks spooktacular on TVs Strictly Come Dancing

Painshill’s Ruined Abbey looks spooktacular on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing

Painshill were thrilled to welcome a popular Strictly Come Dancing duo this spooky season!

The Strictly Come Dancing couple, Katya Jones and Nigel Harman, arrived to do some filming for the Halloween Special which was aired on Saturday 28th October.

Millions of fans, who tuned into Strictly Come Dancing, would have seen Painshill on prime time Saturday night TV as our 18th-century landscape featured on BBC1’s popular dancing show.

Photos at the Ruined Abbey: Dancer Katya Jones and dance partner Nigel Harman
Photo credit: pictured left, Katya Jones, pictured right BBC

We were delighted to welcome uber-talented dancer, Katya Jones, along with her dance partner and successful actor, Nigel Harman. The pair enjoyed practicing a few dance moves whilst at the Ruined Abbey in preparation for their Halloween inspired dance. The Ruined Abbey provided the perfect backdrop for the spooky Cha Cha Cha dance they performed.

The show aired on BBC and Painshill is featured in week 6, series 21.

Photo credit: BBC

Paul Griffiths, Director of Painshill, said: “Painshill is a popular filming location and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet such a wide-variety of professionals from the entertainment industry. It was just wonderful to welcome the Strictly Come Dancing team to Painshill, particularly Katya and Nigel. I hope they do really well in the show, everyone at Painshill will be rooting for them.”

Location of the shoot: The Ruined Abbey

The Ruined Abbey sits by the water’s edge and casts stunning reflections into the serpentine lake. In the 18th century, monasteries and abbeys would often produce wine so the architecture fits perfectly with the vineyard planted next to it. It was originally built in 1772 and was designed to be a ruin, to add an air of history and remind the visitor of the past. 

Find out more about filming at Painshill

Should you fancy swapping your dancing shoes and putting on your walking boots, Painshill has many more stunning locations to view whilst walking through the vast landscape. As well as the Ruined Abbey, you cannot miss the Gothic Temple with stunning views, the Temple of Bacchus, the Hermitage surrounded by woodland and an extraordinary Crystal Grotto. Next to the Serpentine Lake there is a boathouse as well as an industrial waterwheel and pumphouse. Painshill is also home to a 2 acre vineyard which has been used previously to represent the south of France.

Why not shimmy on over and enjoy dancing through the grounds!

Photo credit: Katya Jones, Instagram

That’s a wrap!

5 things to enjoy at Painshill in November

The frenzy of fall has settled. With pumpkins picked and carved, seeds planted and a wardrobe change to thick socks and cosy jumpers and coats, November has arrived.

Take a deep breath of crisp air and settle into November. This is a month which is thought by many to be the very best of autumn, filled with colour, ambient lighting and perfect temperatures before the colder days arrive.

Take a stroll around our stunning lake and view the atmospheric reflections. Maybe plan a walk and stop at our tea room for some hot drinks and delicious lunches on offer!

1. Reflections at Painshill

Throughout the landscape, the lake lends itself to views of crisp glass-like reflections on a perfect November day.

Walking over the Five Arch Bridge, across the lake with the Ruined Abbey in sight and a stunning Autumn morning, the water enhances the nature and colours like a picturesque painting.

Photo: Reflection from the Five Arch Bridge

Photo: Reflection showing the Five Arch Bridge

Photo: Reflection on the lake, Autumn morning

2. Alice in Wonderland

From Saturday 18th November until Sunday 7th January Painshill will become the home to many fantastic well- known characters!

Come along to meet the White Rabbit within the beautiful Painshill landscape and begin the ‘chase’ across the topsy-turvy world that gets ‘curiouser and curiouser’ as your fantastical adventure unfolds.

Enjoy this unique and extraordinary tale of Alice in Wonderland at Painshill Park this Christmas!

3. Christmas Lunch Menu

Painshill’s delicious and exquisite three-course Christmas meal is now available to book online. Enjoy mouth-watering flavours of a rich menu created by our Head Chef.

This will be available from Thursday 23rd November through to December.

4. Into the Woods: Parent and Child Forest School

Come and join us for some big adventures for your little ones this Autumn and Winter.

We go ahead whatever the weather, adapting our activities accordingly. Every session finishes with a special snack round the campfire.

5. Become a member at Painshill

Make amazing memories with membership. Painshill offers everyone a place of tranquillity, beauty and charm.

Painshill membership is a fantastic gift for Christmas which also includes some unique experiences such as a number of trails throughout the year.