I’ve lost count over the number of times I’ve driven past the brown tourist signs for Painshill Park since I moved to London 6 years ago.

I always felt intrigued by what it was, but it never seemed to be cross my mind when I was looking for something to do.

That was until earlier this month when I found myself at a loose end one Saturday.

I nipped online to grab the postcode and, in doing so, noticed that I needed to pre-book a slot. Thankfully, I was able to book in for later that day.

So that afternoon, I jumped in my brum brum and headed off on the 20-minute drive to the village of Cobham, the home of Painshill Park. 

What is Painshill?

Charles Hamilton created Painshill in the 18th century. He designed the landscaped garden as a living painting. 

There’s plenty to see at Painshill Park, from the Serpentine Lake to woodland walks, from fascinating follies to the Crystal Grotto. 

It’s an Instagrammer’s paradise, even on a grey, overcast day, there are plenty of opportunities to get your camera out. 

It takes around 2-3 hours to walk around the grounds. Dogs are welcome, and there is an accessible path for those who need something a little bit flatter. There’s a lovely little gift shop and a cute little cafe (albeit at over £4 for a piece of cake, it’s not cheap!).

There’s a £10 entry fee per adult (with discounts for concessions) and a £5 entry fee per child (children under 5 go free). 

Here’s a little snapshot of some of the quirky findings you’ll discover on a visit to Painshill Park.