Whether you’re indulging a secret Bridgerton fantasy, or a fan of beautiful gardens and unique architecture, Painshill Park in Surrey has got you covered this summer. With caves, temples and towers, this 18th century ‘living painting’ is much more than a stroll around a country estate.
Built from 1738 to 1773 by Charles Hamilton, a gentleman partial to Grand Tours of Europe, Painshill Park was designed to be a spectacular series of vistas. Hamilton was determined that his creation would be more than a garden: he wanted to create a ‘living painting’. Garden historians (apparently that’s a thing) have described Painshill as one of the finest examples of the English Landscape movement that inspired imitation across the globe – a rare example of culture that we Brits spread rather than stole.
I promise, however, that Painshill still has much to offer those uninterested in the history of gardening. Not only is the Park a place of spectacular natural beauty – featuring woodlands, rolling hills, and the magnificent Serpentine Lake – but Hamilton, inspired by his Tours, filled Painshill with a number of ‘follies’: architectural curiosities such as temples, towers and ruined abbeys. For those so inclined, Painshill Park is a veritable goldmine of instaworthy photo opportunities. The stunning photographs I’ve used in this article were taken by my girlfriend on our recent trip here.
We found Painshill Park to be a unique summer’s day out for anyone who loves the outdoors. And since its regular feature in Bridgerton, it’s hard to deny the romanticism of the park – so why not take your Duke or Duchess for a promenade, and court them in the traditions of yesteryear.
About the park
How to get here
Painshill Park is located in Cobham, Surrey, in the south-east of England. It is most easily accessible by car: just off the M25 / J10 / A3, exit the A245 towards Cobham. The nearest post code is KT11 1BE. There are a number of large car parks which are free of charge for visitors.
If you’re arriving by train, the closest station is Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon, which is roughly two miles from the park. There should be taxis available from the station.
If you’re using the bus, good luck to you.
Pricing and opening times
In summer, the park’s opening times are from 10am to 6pm, with the last entry being at 4pm. In spring they close at 5pm, and in winter they close at 3pm. Certain attractions within the park have differing opening times. For example, the Crystal Grotto (more on this below) is closed on Mondays, and on Tuesdays to Sundays is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm. For regularly updated opening times, you should check their site here: https://www.painshill.co.uk/visit-us/opening-times/.
It costs £10 for an adult if you book online through their website, or £12.50 on the door. Children under 16 are £5 (irrespective of whether they’ve been booked online) and younger children are free. There is so much to explore in the park that we found the pricing reasonable.
Bridgerton and other productions
Since watching Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton, have you longed to experience life as one of these ball-frequenting, scandal-spreading high socialites, perhaps being swept off your feet by a mysterious nobleman? Well, you can’t. But you can certainly promenade and picnic like them. Painshill Park was the location for many scenes in the first season of Bridgerton, where the characters gathered to stroll and gossip. Google Bridgerton and Painshill Park and you’ll be reminded of numerous shots of Daphne and the Duke strolling across the Five Arch bridge discussing their ‘pretend’ romance, or the Featheringtons out in full force beside the Serpentine Lake.
With the spectacular natural scenery and iconic follies, it is no surprise that an eclectic range of productions have chosen Painshill Park as a filming location. The park featured in the films Dorian Grey and Suffragette, the shows Vanity Fair and Good Omens, a brilliant episode of Black Mirror called Hang the DJ, and, perhaps Painshill’s crowning achievement: an episode of Chucklevision.
Things to see and do
There are two routes that you can take around the Park. The Accessible Route is 1.5 miles long, the shorter of the two. It takes you down through the woodland, along the southern bank of the Serpentine Lake, crossing at the Five Arch bridge, and continuing back past the Great Cedar (the largest multi-stemmed cedar in Europe) before returning to the entrance. This route, at a gentle stroll with ample stops to admire the follies, can be completed in two hours. You’ll miss the furthest section of the park and sights such as the Gothic Tower, the Temple of Bacchus, and the Hermitage, but you’ll still see the main sights – the lake, the bridges, the Grotto and the Gothic Temple.
The Historic Route (also circular) is 2.5 miles long, and rather more winding and hilled. Rather than crossing the Five Arch bridge immediately, you’ll continue past the Cascade, to the Waterwheel and beyond. This is a route for the completionists, who will be able to tick off all of the follies throughout the park. It’ll take you to the deepest point of the Painshill woodlands, where you’ll find a small raised hut nestled between the trees. This was once inhabited by a hermit, invited here to live a simple life dedicated to praying for the landowner’s family; though, if the stories are to be believed, Painshill’s hermit lasted three weeks before bailing for the pub.
Below are a few must-see follies:
Serpentine Lake
This 14 acre lake winds around the majority of the park, and it is abundant with waterfowl year-round. It is circumnavigated by a paved path, making it an ideal stroll for those less steady on their feet. Like many of the features in the park, this lake was man-made: water is drawn from the nearby River Mole by the old Waterwheel, which sits at the furthest edge of the lake and is one of the largest of its kind still in operation in Britain. The lake is dissected by a number of impressive bridges which make some reflective photo opportunities.
Crystal Grotto
This magical cave, hidden on an island in the middle of the Serpentine Lake, is a highlight for most visitors. The crystal grotto was made with more than 10,000 individual crystals, plastering the walls and stalactites, and as the light seeps in from openings that overlook the lake, the entire place sparkles magnificently. It can be reached by either the Woollett or the Chinese bridges, and is accessible on either of the two routes.
Ruined Abbey
Near the beginning of the park, if you follow the path that winds through the woodland alongside the vineyards, you’ll emerge into the shelter of the Ruined Abbey which overlooks a secluded part of the lake. This is a beautiful, quiet area of the park, and you can get some great photos from multiple angles – especially from across the lake, with the Abbey reflected perfectly in the waters.
Gothic Temple
This small folly is another highlight. The Gothic Temple is an open structure that sits atop a hill surveying the park, and it is one of the first attractions that you will come across, just beyond an area named the Amphitheatre. The wide arches are each designed to frame a different angle of the park as a living painting, and the sweeping views of the lake and lawns, the wildlife and the follies, are certainly not to be missed on your expedition around Painshill Park.
The Gossamer Traveller 