Photographs from Painshill Park

Last weekend we headed over to Painshill Park for the Elmbridge Food Festival. Local food and drink produce was on offer including artisan bakers and wine producers. We were sold when we “Bratwurst” so Bratwurst it was, washed down with a tasty juice. Having taken in the atmosphere, the music and the sunshine, we headed towards the Serpentine Lake for a wander.

Spanning some 150 acres, there are numerous follies to discover at Painshill Park including an incredible crystal grotto. POD adored seeing Santa there last Christmas, it was such a magical experience for her.

Passing the vines, which are always so rich in colour at this time of year, we got to enjoy wildlife around the lake. Several dragonflies could be seen darting round at great speed and I even spotted a frog. Bull rushes lined the pathway and sun glimmered on the water – it was simply glorious.

POD loved exploring and took it upon herself to climb everything in sight. From part of a wall (check out that cheeky smile!)

to a giant hollow tree!

There was also lots of fun to be had by the Serpentine Lake. POD watched the swans,

ran around (she’s kind of strutting here but you get the idea!)

and asking the ducks if they wanted to go in the water. They all obliged!

The views at Painshill Park are simply fabulous. Although we had a shorter walk than usually do we got to take in some follies,

watch a mongoose looking for food

and collect yellow leaves.

Although the crystal grotto was closed for the event, it is still the most incredible folly, even from the outside. We’re itching to go back inside again, it’s amazing.

It wouldn’t be a family walk without a bit of silliness so we squeezed in a bit of that before grabbing a well deserved ice-cream for the journey home. There’s really is nothing better than blowing away those cobwebs especially on a surprisingly hot Autumn day.

Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast and #CountryKids at Coombe Mill.