Category: Uncategorized

Don’t mind the “weeds”,

we’re feeding the bees!

Many visitors to Painshill will be aware that over the summer we leave the grass to grow long across many of the meadows. Before you ask, no our Head Gardener hasn’t misplaced his lawn mower! Long grass encourages a wealth of wildflowers which in turn support pollinators and other insects. 

Biodiversity is key to combating climate change and the mass extinction of animal life. Ensuring the ground plants have light and are left to grow is an important part of Painshill’s plan. 

In recent years the science behind rewilding is growing in popularity and #NoMowMay is seeing millions take to social media to highlight the importance of allowing your lawn to grow a little wild. The gardeners at Painshill have been practicing this style of gardening for 250 years. Part of Charles Hamilton’s 18th century design always included open meadows of flowers. 

Pathways and picnic spots will be cut into the grass so our visitors can enjoy the landscape. We hope you will come along and sit near the wildflowers to experience the beauty of the long grass, enjoy the fluttering butterflies and take in the sounds of summer. 

Painshill Park Trust is delighted that The Great Cedar has been chosen as part of a nationwide network of 70 Ancient Trees to be dedicated to The Queen in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.

The tree at Painshill is part of a UK-wide network of 70 ancient woodlands and 70 ancient trees unveiled by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, in his role as Patron of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC).

By sharing the stories behind the Ancient woodlands and trees, as well as the incredible efforts that are made to protect them, The Queen’s Green Canopy aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.

The Prince of Wales, who is also a Royal Patron of the Painshill Park Trust, said: “Trees and woodlands have a profound significance for us all – their steadfast and reassuring presence a reminder of our long serving Sovereign and her enduring dedication. Let us ensure that in her name we can now protect and strengthen this wonderful living Canopy for the next seventy years and, hopefully, way beyond. And, above all, let us ensure that future generations can celebrate and enjoy them.”

Sir Stephen Lamport, Chairman of the Painshill Park Trust, said: “We are overjoyed that the Great Cedar at Painshill has been chosen to form part of this nationwide network, playing a meaningful part in the nationwide celebrations of Her Majesty’s work over 70 years of service. We are honoured to have The Prince of Wales as our Royal Patron and to be able to honour Her Majesty and her Jubilee in such a fitting way.”

The Great Cedar, a tree planted by Charles Hamilton in the 18^th century, has become the largest multi-stemmed Cedar in Europe and stands at 118 foot high. Hamilton, the creator of Painshill, was described as “painting with plants” and he used them to create atmosphere and beauty. He planted The Great Cedar to draw the eye of the visitor and create a dramatic moment in a view.

The tree has survived wars, drought, storms and a lighting strike. It has even survived the loss of the 18^th century garden after World War II. The garden was sold off in plots and fell into ruin. The Cedar lived on to see the restoration of the garden begin in 1981 with the founding of the Painshill Park Trust.

The Great Cedar has always been important to the community. It has inspired artists and poets, people have scaled its heights, Merrist Wood Collage have used it for training and many thousands of school children have enjoyed activities around it. It is labelled a Champion Tree for its width.

The Great Cedar is beloved today by Painshill members and visitors. Painshill grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when local people turned to nature and green outdoor spaces for some tranquility in troubled times. The community rallied behind Painshill and raised over £50,000 to help the garden survive lockdown and reopen safely. In summer 2020 we lit up The Great Cedar blue as a tribute to everyone working hard to get the country through the pandemic.

In 2022, Painshill Park Trust planted a new cedar to mark the Queen’s 70th year and celebrate what the species has brought to the landscape.

1. Bluebells

This bright blue spring flower is in bloom in areas across Painshill. Head to the woodland behind the Ruined Abbey or the bottom of the Turkish Tent to see them. Don’t forget to stop and take in their scent.

2. Wild Garlic in flower

Wild garlic grows all the way along the banks of the River Mole. You can spot the stunning delicate white flowers when walking along the south of the lake and around the Mausoleum and cascade.

3. Wildflower meadows

May is the month that the grass starts to grow long across the open areas at Painshill. We don’t mow it in order to encourage wildflowers. This aids the biodiversity of plants in the area and creates food and a habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. The first to come up are the buttercups and daisies.

4. Daisies along the bottom of the vineyard

One of the first flowers growing in the grass is the daisy. This year there are are heaps on them along the bottom of the vineyard.

5. Nesting birds

Bring along a pair of binoculars on your visit and you can watch nesting birds on the islands in the lake. Painshill is home to ducks, geese, swans and many other lake birds. Although we can’t predict the timings, every year we will have families of coots, cygnets and often ducklings.

Broadcaster and writer Alan Titchmarsh MBE spoke of the importance of preserving Britain’s landscape gardening heritage as he agreed to become Patron of the Painshill Park Trust.

The renowned gardening expert accepted the position on a visit to Painshill, where he chatted with trustees, staff and volunteers and took a tour of our historic 18th century gardens.

He joins HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Patron of the Trust, in supporting the ongoing work to restore the gardens, which fell into ruin after the Second World War.

Mr Titchmarsh said: “It was a pleasure to visit Painshill recently and to see for myself the extraordinary progress which has been made over 40 years of restoration. I am delighted to become a Patron of this wonderful charity and I hope we can continue the important work to restore and preserve Painshill for current and future generations.”

Sir Stephen Lamport, Chairman of Painshill Park Trust, said: “Painshill is an exceptionally important piece of Britain’s heritage.  We are delighted that Alan Titchmarsh has kindly agreed to become one of our Patrons.

“We very much look forward to his association with our work to secure Painshill’s legacy as one of the finest examples of the English Landscape Movement.”

As Patron, one of Mr Titchmarsh’s first priorities is to support ongoing fundraising efforts for the restoration of the Woollett Bridge at Painshill.

The bridge is a vital part of the popular Painshill circular walk, allowing visitors to leave the park’s unique Crystal Grotto and cross the stunning lake in the heart of the landscape.

Heavy flooding in recent years has caused serious rotting and the bridge, currently supported by temporary structures, must be replaced.

Our appeal was launched in 2021 with the aim of raising the £120,000 to £130,000 needed to build a replacement.

Mr Titchmarsh said: “The project to replace the Woollett Bridge is vital to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy this historic landscape and have access to the amazing Crystal Grotto. Painshill is a sanctuary for people and preserving it for future generations is a very worthy cause. Please join me in supporting Painshill by donating today and spreading the word about this important project.’

To find out more about donating to the Woollett Bridge appeal, please visit: www.painshill.co.uk/support-painshill/latest-restoration-project/

1. The Gothic Tower

The Gothic Tower will open from Saturday 1 until Sunday 16 April. Climb to the top, admire the view and treat yourself to snacks and drinks in the pop-up café.

2. Wild Garlic in flower

Wild garlic grows all the way along the banks of the River Mole. You can spot the stunning delicate white flowers when walking along the south of the lake and around the Mausoleum and cascade.

3. Fresh leaves on the trees

Spring has truly sprung! The fresh leaves are coming out of the trees, starting with the ash and sycamore trees.

4. Dragons

Magical beasts have come to lay their eggs at Painshill this springtime. It is a trail that’s perfect for all the family. Pick up a route map in the Visitor Centre and see if you can spot them all.

5. Vines emerging

The landscape staff and volunteers work hard in the vineyard throughout the year. New vines are planted in the autumn and hopefully we will soon start to see the fruits (grapes!) of their labours. April is when the fresh growth starts to appear.

Ever since the Concerto Weddings Company left the Walled Garden in 2020, Painshill Park Trust have been keen to restore it to its 18th century splendour. In Charles Hamilton’s era, which the Painshill Park Trust aims to replicate, the walls of the Walled Garden were planted with fruit trees.

Thanks to support from Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust, we have been able to plant 30 trees in this incredible space.

The walls show the alcoves and inlets that are perfect for growing, with an overhang to protect from frost and columns to enclose the tree. The walls, which were built in the 1750’s, are littered with holes where various supports have been attached over the years.

We have a good indication of what has been grown against the walls as we have some of the original 18th century labels still attached to the walls. Whilst cultivating the beds we have dug up a number of the original Victorian labels which have the most fantastic names such as Pear “Chaumontel”, Plum “Kirke’s Blue” & Pear “Glou Morceau”.

A large number of apple varieties have been planted including Blenheim Orange, Ellison’s Orange & Beauty of Bath.

Against the South facing wall we intend to plant Peaches, Nectarines and Apricots to take advantage of the sun all day long.

Mirabelle plums have been planted against the North facing wall.

The Walled Garden is currently not open to visitors while we undertake the task of restoring it. However, it can be easily viewed via the Kitchen Garden, which is open daily and found at the entrance of Painshill.

We also use our Walled Garden for summer events. Why not bring along a picnic and enjoy outdoor theatre or comedy in the garden this season.

We are very grateful to Charitable Trusts like the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust as their support is enabling us to continue vital restoration at Painshill. If you would like to make a donation, you can find out about our latest project. To support through a Trust or grant making committee please email fundraising@painshill.co.uk.

Live music will rock Painshill this summer as a series of world-renowned tribute and cover bands bring a fantastic festival vibe to our stunning gardens.

Rick Parfitt Jr, motor racing driver and son of legendary Status Quo rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt, is just one of the names featuring at Painshill’s Live Music Lates through June and July.

Music from the greats comes courtesy of some of the world’s finest tribute bands, including The Bon Jovi Experience, The Trembling Wilburys and Zinc Floyd, and cover bands will bring the biggest hits from everyone from The Jam and The Who to Madness and Oasis.

Terrific Tributes

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.

Cracking Cover Bands

Vintage food trucks will be serving delicious local produce, from buttermilk fried chicken and duck confit to authentic Greek food and woodfired pizza, and drinks will be available from stylish mobile bar Corks Occasions.

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

This Easter we have a host of fun for all the family at Painshill.

Come along and enjoy a day out full of eggs-iting adventures!

Find all the characters in Painshill’s big Easter Egg Statue Trail

Giant eggs will be waiting to be discovered in the Painshill landscape. Come along and see if you can find all the colourful characters.

Book to visit any day between Saturday 2 and Sunday 24 April.

BOOK TO VISIT

Climb to the top of The Gothic Tower

After two years of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are delighted to reopen The Gothic Tower this Easter. Climb to the top and take a look at the view then reward yourself with tea and cake.

Book to visit any day between Saturday 2 and Tuesday 19 April.

BOOK TO VISIT

Visit the Crystal Grotto

Step inside a sparkling crystal cave and marvel at the light reflecting across the ceiling. Over the school holidays the Grotto will be open daily, including Mondays.

Book to visit any day between Saturday 2 and Sunday 24 April.

BOOK TO VISIT

Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea

Relax in comfort as you sip a glass of chilled sparkling wine and enjoy our homemade scones, freshly made sandwiches and indulgent cakes.

BOOK AFTERNOON TEA

Step into spring

The season when everything comes alive is a wonderful time to get outdoors and explore. Daffodils line the banks of the lake and bluebells are on their way!

Look out for baby birds, including ducklings and goslings, around the lake at this time of year.

BOOK TO VISIT

Spring is one of the prettiest times in the landscape and the season really gets going in March.

1. Enjoy the daffodils

Walk into the landscape right now and you will be greeted with a host of golden daffodils. They have to be the most triumphant spring flowers – nothing says ‘winter is over’ quite like their bright yellow blooms. The area around the visitor centre is covered in them. To see more, carry on to the bottom of the vineyard where they line the lake.  

2. Say hello to the goslings

New families have started arriving around the lake. We already have some gorgeous Egyptian goslings to look out for around Grotto Island.

Did you know that Egyptian Geese were indeed originally from Egypt, as the name suggests. They were brought over in the 17th century because English gentlemen were stuck by their beautiful colours and thought they would look very eye-catching by the lakes and ponds of their estates. Despite the colder climate the Egyptian Geese have maintained a small population since.

3. Look out for wild garlic

In March, wild garlic starts to bloom all the way along the banks of the river. You may spot white flowers or, if they haven’t bloomed yet, heaps of green leaves and buds. Step towards them and there is no mistaking the smell!

4. Celebrate Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day treat your mum to a day around the landscape. Enjoy spotting the new mothers with their goslings around the lake or walk up to the Temple of Bacchus and take in the view.

We have Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea being served if you would like to indulge in scones, sandwiches and sweet treats. Toast to your mum with a glass of Painshill’s very own sparkling wine.

5. Stop and spot the flowers

Daffodils are not the only flower to herald the new season. There is still a scattering of snowdrops to enjoy around the lake and crocus are blooming in the woodlands around the Visitor Centre.

Fun and colourful characters are coming to Painshill this Easter holiday. Large statues of painted eggs will include a Cow, a Hen, a Pirate and a Unicorn.

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 huge 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 Friday 25 February.