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.
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.
THE PAINSHILL SUMMER MUSIC NIGHTS ARE BACK!
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!
ABSOLUTE BOWIE- Thursday 20 JuneBOOT LED ZEPPELIN- Thursday 4 JulyGENESIS CONNECTED- Thursday 11 JulyTHE RAT PACK- Wednesday 26 JuneOASISH- Wednesday 3 July T REXTASY- Wednesday 10 July
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
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 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!
On Saturday 6 May 2023, the trustees, staff and volunteers of Painshill Park Trust will join the nation in celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
As The Prince of Wales, His Majesty King Charles was the Royal Patron of Painshill Park Trust. Preserving the nation’s heritage and protecting green spaces are causes close to King Charles’ heart and he visited Painshill a number of times to show his support.
King Charles, who at the time was Prince of Wales, made his first visit to Painshill in 1987. The Trust was only a few years old and the restoration process in its very early days. His Majesty learnt about the new charity, met with staff and volunteers and took his first tour of the grounds.
The Prince of Wales with Janie Burford, the first Director of the Trust, in 1987
The Prince of Wales inspecting archaeology work around the Ruined Abbey, in 1987
On this first visit His Majesty opened the newly rebuilt Chinese Bridge.
The Prince of Wales opening the Chinese Bridge
It has recently come to the attention of the Painshill Park Trust that, after nearly 40 years of use, the wooden bridge is in a poor state of repair. The structure was recently closed to the public as a safety precaution, highlighting the fragility of the landscape and the work needed to protect and preserve it. Painshill Park Trust, now in its 5th decade, has needed to restore some features for the second time. The Woollett Bridge was recently replaced in steel, rather than wood, to ensure a longer lifetime as the Trust looks to preserve Painshill for the future.
It is poignant that, as His Majesty becomes King, the feature he opened in 1987 may need to be restored again in the very near future.
His Royal Highness returned for later visits and in 1995 he opened the rebuilt Turkish Tent.
The Prince of Wales talks to school children on his 1995 visit
The Prince of Wales meeting David Taylor and Michael Singleton with his Private Secretary, Sir Stephen Lamport, who is the current Chairman of the Painshill Park Trust
The Prince of Wales with Karen Bridgeman and Kath Clark in 2011
In 2011 His Royal Highness inspected the progress of the restoration of the Crystal Grotto. A grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund allowed the Trust to reconstruct this incredible landscape feature. The work involved rebuilding the brick walls, replacing the wooden frames for the stalactites and applying around 100,000 crystals into lime mortar by hand.
The Prince of Wales visits to see the Crystal Grotto in 2011
Throughout his life, King Charles has championed woodlands and the ancient trees of England. He was Patron of the Queen’s Green Canopy in 2022, which involved 70 ancient trees being dedicated to the Queen in celebration of her 70 years on the throne. The Great Cedar at Painshill was one of those trees. Thought to be the largest multi-stemmed cedar in Europe, the tree is over 250 years old and stands at 118 feet high.
To commemorate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, Painshill Park Trust planted a new cedar in May 2022.
This year the Trust plant an oak to mark to the new King’s Coronation and to celebrate his passion for the natural world.
Regular visitors to Painshill will no doubt have noticed that in recent weeks we have closed the Chinese Bridge.
After a routine inspection, by external Civil Engineers, we were advised in March 2023 that the Chinese Bridge had structural issues. The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority. As a precaution we chose to close the structure to the public whilst further investigations were carried out by divers and engineers.
Divers investigating the Chinese Bridge, April 2023
It is now becoming clear that the work required to reopen the Chinese Bridge might involve a major project. The Bridge was restored in the 1980s and, after 40 years of use, the wood is beginning to become unstable.
The first version of the bridge was built in 1760 and was created when all things “Chinoserie” were in fashion. It created a beautiful way to take the walker across the lake to explore the Crystal Grotto, which is hinted at by the rock arch the bridge heads towards. Painshill Park Trust restored the bridge using the traditional wooden materials in the 1980s. However, more recently, the Woollett Bridge was restored using the modern material of steel to ensure it lasts hundreds of years.
In order that we can open up the correct historical route for people quickly we have just installed a floating pontoon. This will allow visitors to safely cross the lake at this important point in Charles Hamilton’s journey.
This pontoon is a temporary solution and will remain in place until a project to repair or replace the Chinese Bridge can be put into action. We will shortly be releasing more information about the condition of the Chinese Bridge and our plans.
