Painshill Park

Painshill Park Description

Painshill Park is one of the earliest examples of an 18th century English landscape park and dates from 1738 and 1773. It is managed by the Painshill Park Trust who saved it from dereliction and received several well deserved major Awards in recognition.

Its trees and plants, some of which survive from the original planting, have been restored and augmented, but in the main stick to the original plan thought up by the Hon Charles Hamilton MP. A variety of quirky buildings are dotted about this Grade I landscape and include a Gothic Temple, Turkish Tent, Chinese Bridge, ‘ruined’ abbey and a cast of Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women. Yet to be restored is the Temple of Bacchus, and a credible mock-up displays what it will look like when funds permit.

A hermitage was amongst the re-creations, complete with a real live hermit, who became bored and was sacked for absenteeism. What a lost opportunity!

Quite a few of the original tree plantings are well and impressive, headed by a cedar of Lebanon, thought to be the largest in Europe, and a Cork Oak. There are miles of pleasure in this wonderful place.

Opening Times - 2012

• March - October: Daily, 10.30 am - 6 pm or dusk if earlier (last admission 4.30 pm)
• November - February: Daily, 10.30 am - 4 pm or dusk if earlier (last admission 3 pm)
• Closed: Christmas Day & Boxing Day

Admission Prices - 2012

• Adult - £6.60
• Child (5-16) - £3.85
• Child (under 5) - Free
• Seniors - £5.80
• Family (2+4) - £22.00

Pre-booked groups (10+)

• Adult - £5.80