Moving to Surrey in 2010 after nearly two decades in London was the best thing we ever did. We’ve discovered some absolute gems since we arrived and we’re continually exploring new places that offer different experiences.
Painshill Park is described as England’s most elegant 18th century landscape garden – a magical wonderland with hidden surprises. Located in Cobham, it’s Grade 1 listed and has been awarded the rare Europa Nostra Medal for its exemplary restoration.
Painshill Park was created by the Honourable Charles Hamilton who wanted a romantic landscape to stimulate 
the senses and emotions of visitors. He certainly achieved that.
The dramatic slopes of the vineyard can be seen with the lake below. The trees of Fir Walk provide a frame to views as far as the North Downs taking in Chatley Heath and its semaphore tower.
A Gothic Temple is one of Hamilton’s great surprises with narrowed openings of pillared arches framing a living painting. From inside the landscape falls away dramatically offering spectacular views of the Serpentine Lake. Even POD seemed in awe of it, surprising perhaps given she’s not yet three.
There’s also a zig-zag path that leads from the Gothic Temple downhill to the Chinese bridge peninsula. At the other end of the lake the land rises where there are glimpses of the Hermitage, Temple of Bacchus and Turkish Tent.
POD had a brief nap while I took in the Ruined Abbey which is built of brick but rendered to look like stone. Situated on the edge of the lake and with the sun shining brightly, it was a wonderfully calm place to be. My thoughts were disrupted by a swan flying at speed then coming to rest on the lake.
We came across many ducks, some of which were quite unusual, as we headed towards the 
Chinese Bridge. POD said “hello duck” to the majority of them. The surroundings really were quite beautiful, imagine a sunlit lake surrounded by old trees and Autumnal colours.
Also at Painshill Park is a restored Waterwheel, the largest working wheel in the UK, a Hermitage and a Gothic Tower. We saved these for our next visit as we spent too much time in the Crystal Grotto (restricted opening times apply). You can read The follies of Painshill Park: Part Two here.
It’s one of the main attractions at Painshill and the latest historic folly to be restored. Hundreds of thousands of crystals including calcite, gypsum, quartz and fluorite have been used to re-create this extraordinary folly.
The surrounding area almost takes your breath away, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With a small entrance POD was apprehensive at first but once in and her eyes adapted to the light she loved it.
Stalactites hung from the ceiling and the walls sparkled with crystals. It’s said on a still day ‘nature’s mirror’ can be seen inside the crystal grotto. There were beautiful reflections that’s for sure. As you’re not permitted to touch the grotto crystals, the volunteers had loose ones available which could be held. POD’s offer to look after them was politely declined.
Painshill Park is like a magical wonderland. The excitement on POD’s face in the crystal grotto was something else. I can’t imagine what she’ll be like when we visit Santa there!
We’re linking this post up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill and How Does Your Garden Grow? at Mammasaurus.
Amazing pictures (I love the swan, serene and angry, if it was the same one).
Thank you Sarah. There were quite a few swans so presuming not the same one but you never know! The flying one was so noisy 🙂
At first glance I thought the lower rocks were skulls! The crystals look amazing, you’d never guess something like that was there from looking at the serene photos of lawns and swans. Your red Autumn leaf photos made me smile – red and green should always be seen, despite what some say 🙂
They really did look like skulls Gemma, I thought that when I first saw them! So glad I checked when the crystal grotto was open, we would have missed it had we gone earlier in the day. I love the red and green vine leaves, looked beautiful 🙂
you live in a fairy tale place. seriously. so many beautiful landscapes!!! and that swan shot? exactly that, fairy tale. xx
We’re lucky there are quite a few places near us to visit. Painshill was wonderful especially with all the Autumn colours. The grotto was amazing. We’ve booked up for POD to see Santa there 🙂
I adore Painshill Park and we used to go there often to escape Morden and suburbs of London. The crystal grotto is just so fantastic and you must go there to see Father Christmas this year, its wonderful how they set it all up with lights lighting up the big trees and hazel deers hidden along the pathways. A very magical experience x
It’s just fabulous isn’t it. We really enjoyed it despite not getting to see everything – there was a late roast on offer! Thank you for the tip about Father Christmas, we’re all booked up. It will be POD’s first time seeing him in a grotto. I’m so excited 🙂
Wow you two have the best days out! My love is torn between the crystal grotto and the gothic temple – both stunning. I need to go on days out more often, I’ve been a bit lax of late- though I have booked myself with some local wreath making sessions next month.
I’m off to Google where abouts Painshill Park is now, it just looks smashing, thinking of POD looking round that grotto in awe brings a big smile to my face!
Thanks for joining in again sausage, will I see you on Saturday?
It’s great to breathe in the country air even if it’s only for a couple of hours. The grotto at Painshill is only open at weekends (between 1pm and 4pm) so worthwhile checking times before you go. You have to book to see Santa. Wreath making sounds like great fun, what a fabulous thing to do – look forward to hearing about it.
Had a diary clash so not there Saturday unfortunately. Will be great though I’m sure, sorry I’ll miss you and your brilliant words of wisdom x
oh Charly, my mind is blown, these are incredible pictures, truly. I’m in love with the gothic temple and the Crystal grotto is the stuff of farytales , I love the picture of Pod inside it, so very beautiful. I know I’ve said it before, but you need to be paid by these people for showing all these properties off in such a stunning way. xx
Gosh Nichola thank you so much, you’ve made my day! The Gothic Temple and Crystal Grotto were just fabulous. We’ve booked up to see Santa but there’s still so much more to see there 🙂
Looks like another beautiful place to add to our list of places to visit! Love the folly and the colours in the vineyard.
You should do definitely Katie, it’s fabulous. We’re back to see Santa but there’s still more to have a nose at 🙂
Simply gorgeous photos – lovely to see more of the crystal grotto. You are so lucky to be surrounded by these beautiful gardens. Also, love PODs hat and the shots of the swan 🙂
Thank you Sara, we loved it there especially the grotto. It was such a lovely sunny day too. Amazing we have all these wonderful places to explore. Love it 🙂
That looks like an amazing place to visit. The folly does look magical, and with Santa, too – fabulous!
Thank you Jocelyn, it really is rather magical. The grotto especially was something I’ve not seen before and POD will love seeing Santa there I’m sure 🙂
Absolutely stunning photos once more Charly. The grotto looks awesome. And I also ADORE POD’s hat! Nichola is quite right, you should be on the payroll for showing these places so very beautifully xx
Thank you so much for your lovely words, really kind of you. The grotto was just fabulous, can’t wait to see it at Christmas! We got POD’s hat from a local farm that has everything from woolens to fresh produce – great place!
Stunning photos, Charly, especially the ones of Pod, of course!
Thank you Susie, it’s a great find and superb it was so sunny. We’re taking POD to see Santa in the grotto, she’ll love it – hopefully!
Woah, Santa’s going to be holding court in that grotto? I feel a Yuletide trip coming on! You make these places sound (and look) so tantalising…..
Thank you very much, it’s so lovely to have all these places nearby. POD will love seeing Santa in the grotto 🙂
I would love to visit here one day, just my kind of place. Pinning to my days out board to remind me.
You must visit when you can, it’s fabulous. Lots of green space and many follies 🙂
That grotto looks amazing, I bet it will look amazing lit up for Father Christmas to visit.
Nipping over from Country Kids.
It was fabulous, can’t wait to see it lit up with Santa in there 🙂
It sounds a fabulous place to visit. Especially the crystal grotto. I’m not surprised POD was impressed by it. #CountryKids
Really great Cheryl – POD just loved the crystal grotto especially. Just fabulous 🙂
I’m loving the crystal grotto here, it’s like a geography lesson in real life and just wow to those immaculate grounds, they must have so many gardeners on the case! Definitely worth a visit. I bet it would be lovely in summer too with a picnic. Thank you for adding to Country Kids
It must be amazing in the summer although much busier I’d presume. We were there just before lunch so we could see the grotto when it opened at 1pm. Still more to see there too so we’ll have to venture back soon 🙂
I must visit here when we come back to UK – especially want to take the kids to see the Crystal Grotto. As usual beautiful photos.
You really must Kriss, it’s just wonderful. Make sure you check the opening times though. It’s just open at weekends from 1pm to 4pm at the moment. Thank you for the lovely comment about the photos 🙂
Love Painshill park! Have been so many times but never heard of the grotto? How crazy is that?! Gorgeous pictures xx
It was closed for refurbishment until the summer, definitely worth a visit. Thank you 🙂
That Crystal Grotto looks amazing, I so want to go and see now. What a lovely place to visit and your photos are gorgeous as usual. (doesn’t POD look so much like you?)
Thank you very much Anne, POD does look a bit like I used to now. Funny isn’t it! The crystal grotto especially really is amazing, so glad we’ve booked POD to see Santa there 🙂
Lovely photographs, yor posts make me realise how little of Surrey I actually saw as a kid!
Thank you Mary. It’s amazing how much is in Surrey and so great getting some fresh air 🙂
Gorgeous photographs. I can just imagine a nice stroll in the summer with my hubby there. Perfect!
Thank you Laura. Would be amazing in the summer I’m sure. We were lucky the sun made an appearance the day we were there. Just fabulous 🙂
I really love your posts as you always seem to discover the most amazing hidden gems. The first few gave the impression of a standard country house and its grounds and then, bam! All those incredible follies hidden among them. Fantastic photos as usual – thanks for sharing – I look forward to seeing the photos from the Christmas grotto – I’m sure it’ll be magical.
Thank you so much Sally, what a wonderful thing to say. It’s a fabulous place to visit, I just loved the follies we saw and that wasn’t even all of them! Can’t wait to go back 🙂
Great photo’s. I love Surrey, not been here but it looks beautiful. #countrykids
Thank you Jo. It’s a fabulous place – think we’re back today too as Daddy wants to see it 🙂
I love, love the big photos! The Gothic temple looks amazing set in such beautiful grounds.Popping over from Country Kids.
Thank you so much Aly, I love taking photos! The gothic temple was fabulous, such great views, and we loved the crystal grotto too. May be back today, Daddy has folly envy 🙂
You really visit some lovely corners of this country. Absolutely beautiful. And I’m not surprised POD loved the cave. They’re something magical when you’re little and I love them even now x
It’s quite nice discovering what Surrey has to offer – I keep going on the hunt for places! You’re so right about caves being rather magical, they really are, I love them too 🙂
Wow, what an amazing place shown off in your wonderful photographs. It looks like a completely captivating place and your gorgeous girl looks like she’s really enjoying herself.
Nipping over from Country Kids (and I need to know what plug-in you’re using for the slideshow please?)
Thank you so much, that’s really kind of you. It’s a wonderful place, we took Daddy there on Sunday so he could have a look too! Will drop you a note about the slideshow 🙂
[…] returned to the follies at Painshill Park last Sunday as Daddy had missed out on seeing the Crystal […]
We LOVE Painshill – it’s just down the road for us. Been to see Santa there for the last two years too (I think I reviewed both times for Mum Friendly – link above) – it is magical though, and a perfect setting in The Grotto. I’ve not been back since it has been restored, although saw it many times before they did the work – it looks SO much better now! Can you walk through it, or is it just the one entrance in still?
Make sure you see Santa as it’s starting to get dark – that’s the best time to do it, and there’s reasonably priced mulled wine at the other side too (in a large warm tent next to The Grotto) – lovely!!
Oh my goodness I just saw this comment Jo, how wonderful I shall be over for a nose on your blog! You can go in one end and come out of the other – you must go back and have a look!
We’ve been to Santa at Painshill Park a very years ago now (sadly mine are too old for that now *sob*). It really was magical and such a gorgeous place! Thanks for linking up to #oldiesbutgoodies.
That’s good to hear Suzanne, I really hope POD enjoys it 🙂
[…] Monday sees us return to the crystal grotto at Painshill Park where POD will meet Father Christmas for the first […]
[…] we visited the follies of Painshill Park, we heard you could meet Father Christmas in the Crystal […]