I was looking for an outdoor activity to enjoy on a sunny Sunday afternoon when I discovered Painshill Park in Cobham, England - a hidden gem that offers incredible beauty with much to see and do! Painshill is an award-winning, 158 acre wonderland that was designed and created between 1738 and 1773. The landscape garden stretches along the banks of the winding River Mole on land that has several natural hills and valleys. 

The first highlight of our walk was coming over a hill to find a two-and-a-half-acre vineyard.  The vineyard was planted by Hon. Charles Hamilton in the 18th century, and is still producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc hybrids.

Walking past the vineyard you find the Gothic Temple and then down the hill you catch a glimpse of the Gothic Abbey, which I loved! 

The true gem of Painshill is the crystal Grotto, which dates back to 1760. During the restoration of the Grotto in 2013, 100s of 1000s of crystals – calcite, gypsum, quartz and fluorite – including originals recovered from archaeological works, were skilfully embedded with lime mortar onto a framework of inverted wooden cones, to re-create the dazzling stalactite effect of the original folly. The Grotto is a must-see! (Tip: The Grotto is only open limited hours so be sure to check before visiting the park.)

The central feature of the park is a serpentine lake with several islands and spanned by bridges and a causeway. The water for the lake and the plantings is pumped from the River Mole by a 19th-century beam engine powered by a water wheel. The Waterwheel, which operates today, is one of the largest working wheels in the UK.

Roman Mausoleum

The paths and trails throughout the park are shaded and well groomed. However, once you pass the Mausoleum the paths become grass, which might be difficult for some to navigate. Painshill has something for everyone and makes a great family day out!