Painshill is a stunning 18th century landscape garden located in Cobham, Surrey. It’s always been a popular place to visit, but has become even better-known since featuring in the Netflix drama, Bridgerton. Below I’ve shared a bit about how Painshill came to be, as well as the different things you can see on a visit.
History of Painshill, Cobham
Described as “one of the foremost and finest examples of the English Landscape Movement”, there’s plenty to see at Painshill. The garden covers an area of around 78 acres and contains a variety of features including follies, lakes, streams, grottoes and temples. It was designed by Hon. Charles Hamilton who was born into Irish aristocracy, although spent most of his life in England.
Once Charles finished his education he set off on a grand tour of Europe, collecting statues and artefacts along the way. His travels no doubt influenced his design of Painshill, Cobham when he acquired the land in 1738. He designed the garden to have a clear circuit route, with different areas evoking different emotions for visitors (which I think is so beautiful!).
In 1773 after years of financial difficulty, Charles was forced to sell Painshill. The gardens remained intact with several different owners over the years, but after World War II ended they fell into disrepair and became derelict. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that a local historian wrote an article in the newspaper about Painshill and brought public awareness about how this area used to look.
By 1980, Elmbridge local council had purchased a large part of the original Painshill estate and the Painshill Park Trust was formed with the aim to restore it, as closely as possible to the vision of its original founder, Hon. Charles Hamilton.
Serpentine Lake
The Serpentine Lake is the centrepiece of Painshill. Bridgerton fans will recognise it as the beautiful lake where many scenes of the series were shot including walks across the Roman style Five Arch Bridge. There’s also the incredible Chinese Bridge to walk across too, both offering fantastic photo opportunities. The lake is the perfect spot for a picnic and a relaxing walk. All paths lead back to the lake, which covers 14 acres in total. This makes it very easy to take in all the different sights Painshill has to offer without getting lost!
Waterwheel
The Serpentine Lake is man-made and created by rising water from the River Mole using a waterwheel. As I mentioned previously, a lot of Painshill Cobham went into disrepair and this included the lake and the waterwheel. By the 1950’s the wheel was derelict and the lake was swamp-like. In 1987 the wheel was restored to its former glory and is now maintained by dedicated volunteers. You can get right up to it and see it hard at work, and at over 10 metres in diameter, it’s one of the largest working wheels in the UK.
Gothic Temple
The Gothic Temple is an 18th-century folly that’s considered to be one of the finest examples of English Gothic architecture. The temple provides the perfect outlook across the Serpentine Lake and is a popular place for weddings to be held. As well as looking out you should also look up, as the Gothic Temple has an ornate ceiling that is really quite something. Interestingly, this ten-sided building which looks like solid stone, is actually constructed from timber and has just been rendered to resemble stone.
Crystal Grotto at Painshill Cobham
The Painshill Park Crystal Grotto was my personal highlight when visiting. Filled with over 10,000 crystals, including quartz and calcite, it’s a stunning example of the creativity and artistry that can be achieved through nature and architecture. Visitors to the grotto can enjoy the beauty of its intricate crystal formations and the way the light bounces off the coral pools and lake water to make the crystals sparkle. Sometimes it is closed for maintenance, so it’s always worth checking before you make your way to Painshill that it’s open if you want to go inside.
Ruined Abbey
The Ruined Abbey was purposely built to look like the ruin of an old monastery. It was designed to add an air of history to Painshill and to make visitors think about the past. I like it, and it’s in a very serene area where you can sit and watch swans and ducks swim past, but I can’t help but think it’s a bit odd when there is so much genuine history on the site already!
Gothic Tower
The Gothic Tower is a Grade I listed building that stands at a height of 18m/60ft, constructed from red brick with stone dressing and a slate roof. It has two floors and an attic, with a spiral staircase leading to the top level. Tucked away from the lakeside, there’s a café here which offers a quiet spot amongst the trees to have a pitstop. The tower is an iconic landmark in the region and on clear days it’s said you can see Canary Wharf in London and Windsor Castle in Berkshire from the top.
Turkish Tent
Possibly the most unusual, or should I say unexpected, sight at Painshill Cobham is the Turkish Tent. Constructed from canvas and timber poles, it’s one of the earliest known examples of a Turkish tent – traditionally used by nomadic people in Central Asia. The tent has been lovingly restored over the years and now contains fibre glass to keep it protected. Visitors can explore its interior and gaze out over the Serpentine Lake from a higher vantage point.
Temple of Bacchus
The original Temple of Bacchus is based in Lebanon, and this version was built by Charles in 1762 to house the Statue of Bacchus that he brought back from his travels. The temple is high up on a hill so you will spot it several times from around Painshill before you actually reach it. Once up there you’ll get fantastic countryside views, and get to enjoy the well-maintained flower beds that surround the temple. Apparently Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the United States) visited Painshill and stated this was his favourite spot in the garden.
Plants and trees at Painshill Cobham
It’s not a surprise that around the garden there are so many plants, flowers, and trees to enjoy. By the entrance/exit to Painshill is a walled garden, which can be easy to wander past but is worth taking a look in. The area around the Chinese Bridge is home to the John Bartram Collection of American Trees and Shrubs which produce incredible autumn colour.
There are open wildflower meadows which encourage bees and other wildlife to visit, whilst the ancient oak on the lakeside is over 450 years old. There’s also a vineyard on site, restored after it was turned into a rockery by previous owners, which produces several varieties of wine.
What sight at Painshill would you like to see the most? Let me know in the comments!
Painshill Cobham FAQs (2026)
For a leisurely stroll along the main historic route, that includes stopping for photos and exploring the Grotto, you should allow at least 2 to 3 hours. If you plan to have lunch at Mr. Hamilton’s Tea Room on-site, or a picnic by the Serpentine Lake, you could easily spend a full day here.
Painshill is a favourite for period dramas! Fans will recognise the Five Arch Bridge and the banks of the Serpentine Lake from many of the “promenading” and picnic scenes in Bridgerton (Seasons 1 and 2). It has also served as a backdrop for Good Omens, Black Mirror, and Vanity Fair.
Yes, well-behaved dogs are very welcome at Painshill, but they must be kept on a short, fixed lead at all times to protect the local wildlife and the delicate landscape. Dogs are even allowed inside the Tea Room while you order, and there are water bowls provided in the visitor centre.
While walk-ins are sometimes possible, pre-booking online is strongly recommended and often cheaper than paying at the gate. Painshill is now a cashless site, so ensure you have a card or mobile device for payments.
Much of the park is accessible via a designated accessible route (approx. 1.5 miles) which avoids the steepest hills and stickier mud paths. However, the terrain is naturally undulating and some paths are gravel.
The Crystal Grotto is typically open Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays for essential maintenance (except for Bank Holiday Mondays).
Sophie is a freelance writer and editor, and the founder of Britain and Beyond.
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