hello march blog

5 things to enjoy at Painshill in March

Spring is a beautiful time of year! Come rain or shine.. the beautiful budding flowers are here along with some new arrivals of chicks in the landscape and… from the 16 March, some large characters are arriving for our Big Easter Egg Statue Trail 🍀

1. Enjoy the season 🌳

Daffodils, Snowdrops and Crocuses!

A walk around the landscape, you will find our blooming flowers.

Come and enjoy a little sparkle of Spring. (Don’t forget to also have a look at our fabulous plants to buy from our gift shop!)

2. Our new arrivals!

Please be introduced to our beautiful Egyptian geese arrivals which are stunning to see! Enjoy a walk throughout the landscape and see some new families! 🐣

3. A perfect month for walking with your pooch!

🐶 Did you know, we are dog friendly!

🌳 March is a beautiful time to walk in a work of art as you explore the stunning 160 acre landscape together 🐕‍🦺

A small note- We do have to make sure that we protect the wildlife and ask that dogs are kept on a short lead.

4. Enjoy our Big Easter Egg Statue Trail 🥚

Ready for an Egg hunt? From the 16 March, you can come and enjoy meeting some egg-cellent statue characters! On arrival there will be a trail map to guide you and find all the different characters.

5. For all the wonderful mums out there 🌷

🌸With Mother’s Day just around the corner, now is a great time to start planning how you may treat that special person in your life to a lovely day out🌸

Enjoy a stroll through the 160 acre landscape with all the beautiful flowers and wildlife. We also have a delicious lunch in our function room which is available to book: https://www.painshill.co.uk/events/mothering-sunday-lunch-at-painshill

Or enjoy a tea and cake in Mr Hamiltons tea room 🍰 (Open 10am-4:30pm)

🍰Follow the walk with a delicious lunch in our dedicated function room or with tea and cake in Mr Hamilton’s Tea Room ☕

Painshill’s big Easter egg design competition

Fun and colourful characters are returning to Painshill this Easter holiday. Large statues of painted eggs will not only include a Cow, a Hen, a Pirate and a Unicorn but also a couple of monsters, a ladybird, a hamburger! and many more…

We have one egg however that is blank and we need your ideas!

Draw your egg character design, or download our handy template below, and email it to marketing@painshill.co.uk to enter our competition. We will take the winning design and have it painted onto a 6ft egg to feature in our trail.

The winner will receive free tickets to Painshill to come and see their egg character in the landscape.

The competition is open to all ages and it closes on Sunday 3 March.

This is also a wonderful time to enjoy the start of Spring in a beautiful landscape filled with colour and new wildlife, 🐣

Enjoy Painshill in bloom with stunning spring bulbs.

Live Music Lates RETURNS for Summer 2024

Live music will rock through the grounds at Painshill again for summer 2024, showcasing some of the best tribute bands around.

Tickets went on sale on 5th December for members and early birds and immediately tickets started to sell! General tickets are now on sale from 7th December but it is recommended to book quickly! ABBA Revival sold out for early bird tickets within 48 hours of being on sale.

Just to name a few of the incredible bands…

Rick Parfitt Jr– Wednesday 19 June

Returning from the success of summer 2023, Rick Parfitt Jr is incredibly excited to put on a rock and roll show for Painshill in 2024. Rick Parfitt Jr is son of legendary Status Quo rhythm guitarist, Rick Parfitt and is just one of the names featuring at Painshill’s Live Music Lates through June and July.

ABBA REVIVAL- Thursday 27 June

GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! An all time favourite tribute band, ABBA REVIVAL. Having been on sale for only 48 hours, early bird tickets SOLD OUT. General tickets are still available but it seems this singing and dancing triumph will be a night to thank you for the music!

More of the leading tribute bands

Painshill’s Live Music Lates will run from 5.30pm – 9pm, giving visitors the chance to walk through the stunning historic landscape and watch the sun lowering over the lake before taking a seat in the tree-lined amphitheatre for 7pm.

A throwback to summer LATES at Painshill

Video: Summer LATES previous

Each night food vendors will be available and alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks will be on offer from the bar.

Join Painshill for summer nights of music, food and dancing.

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!

Dean Hampshire - new to Tea Room

Painshill welcomes a new Head Chef & Catering Manager!

We are delighted to welcome Dean Hampshire to Painshill as our new Head Chef and Catering Manager.

Dean comes to Painshill with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm and he is bursting with new ideas to delight Painshill visitors.

Dean started his career working in a gastro pub as a Commis Chef, working his way up to Sous Chef before being offered his first Head Chef role.

Dean quotes his mum as his catering idol. “My mum is the reason I am doing this job. As a single parent, she had to work a lot of hours. She worked as a Chef in our local pub and so I would get to help out in the kitchen during school holidays and at weekends and this is how I found my passion for catering. Watching my mum work and being able to help her is a memory I will never forget.”

Dean first arrived at Painshill through an agency placement and just fell in love with the place. When a new permanent position became available at Painshill, Dean jumped at the chance to join the team. Dean has a passion for Painshill and is already working on many new plans to improve the catering experience for all Painshill visitors.

Dean’s favourite part of working at Painshill is having the opportunity to meet a wide range of people, from all over the world, and that he gets to be a part of their overall Painshill experience. His favourite view of Painshill is when he arrives early morning and can see the fog just laying over the meadow whilst the deer are making their way through. It is magical and simply the best way to start a day.

There are a number of plans to enhance the tea room, including an upcoming refurbishment and the replacement of furniture. However, in the meantime Dean is working on the implementation of a new autumn menu, incorporating many local and independent suppliers.

In addition, Dean will be overseeing a special winter project in the current ice-cream hut – watch this space for further details to come!

5 things to enjoy at Painshill in October

Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!
– Humbert Wolfe

Garden visiting at this time of year is especially relaxing. The sun is still out however the air is fresher and cooler.

Autumn has arrived! There is no season as vibrant as fall. The sky, the leaves, and the landscape together create a symphony of stunning colours throughout Painshill.

Least not forget, in the 18th century Charles Hamilton, the designer of Painshill, would buy trees and shrubs from John Bartram in America. They would arrive in seed boxes that travelled across the Atlantic by ship. Painshill has been left with a legacy of deciduous plants that were awarded plant heritage status in 2006. They give a wonderful display of autumn colour.

So, enjoy a beautiful walk through the Park and the Historical features there is to see.

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

1. Autumn colour, a rich and warm season

On a tranquil autumn day, The Temple of Bacchus is an enriching place to visit.

From its grand position at the top of the hill you will spot the Temple a few times before you reach it. When you do, you will be presented with a view across the Surrey Hills and lovely spot to sit and enjoy the autumn air.

2. Fairy Doors

This autumn the Painshill team have created a fun family Fairy Door trail adding a touch of magic to spark every child’s imagination. Pick up a fairy trail map and take a wander around the grounds to see if you can spot some of the fairies homes.

The fairy door trail will be running from Saturday 21st October until Sunday 12th November and is included in general admission tickets. It is recommended to book in advance at painshill.co.uk.

3. The Snack Shack!

OPENING this autumn (following the success of scrummy summer ice creams, sourced by a local supplier) the ‘Snack Shack’ is being launched as an unmissable tasty new food and drinks offering!

Situated outside The Tea Room, you cannot miss this food gem!

Serving deliciously warm waffles with ice cream and choices of marshmallows and sauces, tasty doughnuts, a choice of 9 glorious ice creams/sorbets and very scrummy vegan options, this is a mouth-watering option you will not be able to resist.

Opening from 10am until 3:30pm on weekends and all school holidays including this warm autumn season!

4. Perfect gifts from The Gift Shop

Enjoy a quality sparkling white or a unique and bespoke gin with flavours from juniper berries and other wonderful botanical ingredients.

Available to purchase from our gift shop, these fine beverages are an exquisite present for birthdays, special occasions and for the festive season coming up!

Traditional Sparkling White Wine

Painshill Kitchen Garden Gin

CHEERS!

5. Wild Halloween Camp

Have a wild time this October Half Term on our Wild Halloween Camp with den building, campfires, and lots more spooky adventures in Painshill’s wild woods!

Get ready for a summer of fun!

School is out for summer! It is time to fill the warm days with lots of family fun and things to entertain the children.

Parents can let both their children’s and their imaginations run wild at Painshill, where there is a surprise around every corner.

Created in the 18th century by Charles Hamilton as a living painting, the landscape garden invites you to walk around a work of art and discover dramatic follies, calming waters and stunning views.

Young princes and princesses can climb the 99 stairs of the Gothic Tower and look out over their kingdom from the top, while explorers will love the mysterious Ruined Abbey and the twinkling crystal stalactites of an incredible sparkling Crystal Grotto.

During the summer adults and children alike can enjoy the Painshill Art Trail. Walk the route and discover all the ways in which Painshill has inspired artists, painters and photographers. Maybe you will get creative yourself!

There are 160 acres of gardens ripe for exploring. Children can play hide and seek in the ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, get close to nature with fun wildlife spotting trails, and enjoy a natural play area with dens, balance logs and stepping stones.

The 2.5 mile route is easy for older children, while a shorter, accessible 1.5 circuit makes the park perfect for pushchairs. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the lake, or visit one of our catering outlets to complete your day.

Mr Hamilton’s Tea Room serves pastries, light lunches or cream tea. Indoor and covered outdoor seating available.

In school holidays there will sometimes also be pop-up cafes available for example the Horsebox Café or the Gothic Temple Café. They serve filter coffee, tea, soft drinks and a small selection of snacks.

There will also be an ice-cream hut open serving a range of delicious flavours.

Dogs are welcome at Painshill if they are kept on short leads.

Space4Nature launches at Painshill

Families, walkers and budding conservationists visiting Painshill, in Cobham, joined local conservation groups this weekend to help find and document the plants and wildlife that live on the site.

Dubbed the ‘Space4Nature Earth Search’, the mass recording event – known as a bio blitz – was part of the new Space4Nature programme, awarded by Postcode Dream Fund thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The programme aims to protect more of Surrey’s Wildlife by mapping and connecting habitats using satellite imagery, Artificial Intelligence and citizen science.

During the one-day event on Sunday June 25, local specialist conservation groups, Surrey Wildlife Trust and Painshill Park Trust volunteers and members of the public who visit Painshill were invited to help investigate and record the varied plant and animal life within the park. Around 300 species were recorded on the day, including Nuthatches, Goldcrests, Sparrowhawks, Smooth Newts, Downy Emerald and Back-tailed Skimmer Dragonflies, Red-belted Clearwing Moths, Silver-washed Fritillary Butterflies and a rare plant called Smooth Cat’s Ear. The event contributed to the collection of vital data for the Space4Nature project and helped inform the evolution of its Artificial Intelligence systems. This technology will then be used across Surrey to enable the team to pinpoint which areas of land should be joined up to other habitats of similar type, making it easier for wildlife to move to access food, safe havens from predators and opportunities to breed. 

Paul Griffiths, Director of the Painshill Park Trust said:

“Painshill takes conservation seriously, and we are on a mission to help local people learn more about the amazing biodiversity that shares our site. It was hugely encouraging that so many people chose to join us on Sunday. 

Space4Nature will take those principles further, and will help restore wildlife across the county – and we look forward to working with local communities to deliver a better future for wildlife and people.”

Space4Nature received £1.25 million thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and has also since been awarded £200,000 by the Garfield Weston Foundation. It is delivered by Surrey Wildlife Trust, the University of Surrey, Buglife and the Painshill Park Trust.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said:

“The Dream Fund Space4Nature project combines nature and leading technology to create and support healthier wildlife and biodiversity throughout Surrey. It’s fantastic that our players are supporting the monitoring of wildlife habitats, helping to secure the survival of native species for future generations. The Painshill Park BioBlitz event was a fun and interactive way for people to get involved with the nature, wildlife and biodiversity on their doorstep.”

Throughout the next two years, schoolchildren who visit as part of Painshill’s ongoing programme of curriculum-based outdoor learning activities will learn how to record species and investigate nature as they examine the park’s plants and animals and their habitats as part of the Space4Nature project.

The June event is not your only chance to get involved with this exciting and important project. The Space4Nature team will be asking hundreds of local volunteers to help survey and assess habitats across Surrey, including on Chobham Common, Quarry Hangers and Puttenham Common. To register your interest, please visit: www.surreywildlifetrust.org

Photography by Jon Hawkins

Kitchen Garden

‘No Dig’ in the Kitchen Garden

At the entrance to Painshill, close to the Visitor Centre, is a feature that is often overlooked. Two large walled gardens were part of the original 18th century estate and vital to Charles Hamilton’s operations. They were built in 1756 to grow fruit and vegetables for his estate and its workers.

Today the Kitchen Garden is once again thriving due to the charity’s gardening team and our landscape volunteers. It produces a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Each week from spring to autumn they harvest whatever is in season and the produce is available in the Gift Shop. In exchange for a small donation you can take some home with you.

This year our landscape team are trialing the ‘no dig’ method.

‘No dig’ involves layering compost and mulch, rather than digging over the bed, to ensure the capture of carbon, fungi and worms in the soil. The no-dig gardener allows the fungi and soil organisms to break down and incorporate the organic matter into the soil, emulating natural processes. The method should control weeds, feed the soil and hopefully leads to healthier, stronger plants.

Lesley Shepherd, one of our landscape team, can tell you more… 

Painshill Director, Paul, pitches in for Volunteers Week 2023

Painshill is a small independent charity and relies on nearly 300 volunteers to operate.

For Volunteer’s Week 2023, Paul Griffiths, Painshill’s Director, pitched in with some volunteer roles.

Painshill offers a huge variety of different ways for volunteers to get involved. Whether you would like to develop a new skill, make friends, improve your mental health or have a regular form of exercise, volunteering at Painshill can offer a huge amount to your life. And in the process you help and support a small charity preserve and protect this beautiful place for generations to come.

Find out, from Paul, all about the different roles he pitched in with:

Ticket Hut

“For my first shift of the day I was in the ticket hut.

This role is for anyone who enjoys being around people. We had a queue this morning of excited children who are coming to see the Bugs and Butterflies Trail and it was a lovely atmosphere. The volunteers hand out maps, take ticket bookings and advise people on their visit. The volunteers in the hut get to know each other well and it is a lovely role if you want to make new friends.”

Gift Shop

“Today we received a generous donation of books and I helped the volunteers in the Gift Shop sort and shelve them. Gift Shop roles are brilliant for anyone with a bit of a creative flair. You can get involved writing chalkboards or creating an attractive display.”

Ranger

“After being in the Visitor Centre, I joined Brenda and Bob, on Bob’s first day, for a walk around the landscape. Rangering is another very important role at Painshill. Rangers are our eyes and ears in the landscape and report back any problems. They help visitors, pick up litter and ensure everyone is safe and following our codes of conduct. If you would like to walk the landscape regularly as a great source of exercise and to watch the seasons change then this is a brilliant role.”

Landscape

“If you are looking for something to help improve your mental and physical health then you must consider volunteering in the landscape. Gardening can offer huge health benefits by getting you to connect with nature and enjoy time outdoors. With 160 acres at Painshill there is always something to do and a new skill to learn. The landscape volunteer team often get to know each other well and make good friends during their time at Painshill. On my shift I did some weeding and edging.”

All of the trustees and staff would like to thank the volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm to keeping Painshill open, thriving and looking stunning.

If you are interested in joining our friendly team, please contact us today!