Timeline
1738
Charles Hamilton acquires the land and starts creating Painshill.
1750s
The first wine is harvested from Painshill’s vineyard.
1759
The Turkish Tent is built as a place for Hamilton’s visitors to admire the view.
1762
Hamilton completes his Temple of Bacchus to house his collection of Roman statues.
1772
The Ruined Abbey is added to the lake side.
1779
Fredrik Piper visits Painshill and takes Hamilton’s visionary ideas back to Europe.
1786
Hamilton dies & is buried in Bath Abbey.
1832
William Cooper purchased Painshill and made some changes including replacing the wooden waterwheel with cast-iron.
1939
The land was requisitioned by the military. Neglect during the war led to decay and eventual collapse of some of the follies. Hamilton’s landscape design was lost. 
1950s
The wilderness took over. The damaged Hermitage was chopped up for firewood and the crystal ceiling of the Grotto collapsed. 
1960s
The Garden History Society and the Friends of Painshill campaign to save the landscape.
1973
Tower was gutted by fire.
1981
Painshill Park Trust is formed to restore the landscape to the 18th century design and Painshill is given Grade I listed status as a garden of international importance.
1980s
The Trust undertake extensive archaeology and research to understand the landscape layout, plantings and the buildings. Teams of volunteers, staff and trustees clear the overgrown wilderness. 
1985
The Gothic Temple is the first building to be restored. 
1992
The vineyard is re-planted and starts producing wine by the late 1990s.
1995
HRH The Prince of Wales opens the new Turkish Tent after it has been rebuilt.
1998
Awarded the International Europa Nostra Medal for exemplary restoration.
2004
The landscape team rebuild the Hermitage from timber cleared on the estate.
2006
Painshill’s John Bartram Heritage collection achieves National Collection status.
2008
The (cast of the) statue of Bacchus returns to Painshill.
2011
The National Lottery Heritage Fund awards Painshill a grant to complete the Crystal Grotto.
2011
A private donation from The Monuments Trust allows the Five Arch Bridge to be rebuilt. 
2017
The restoration of the outside of the Temple of Bacchus is completed.
