Watching Monty Dons garden design series on TV I noted his visit to Painshill in Surrey. After our visit to Wisley yesterday I checked the GPS……only 17 minute drive away ! It was actually 17 minutes to do the last 2 miles this morning ! Yes we crossed the M25 with its notorious roadworks so had to contend with feeder traffic, slip lanes, roundabouts and traffic lights.

In the midst of this chaos we discovered a little piece of paradise, designed by Charles Hamilton between 1738 and 1773. He had done 2 grand tours and wanted to recreate the romantic pictures of them at the time. This was a complete breakaway from the formal designs at that time and started a whole new garden style culminating with ‘Capability’ Brown’s masterpieces.

Walking up a hill from the entrance there is no indication of what’s ahead until reaching the top…..a long lake with gently sloping sides strewn with temples, follies and bridges. Our path was a basically a figure of 8 around it, with numerous detours.

The Gothic Temple provided panoramic views, or as Charles Hamilton wanted pictures of views like a work of art. Descendng down a zig zag track to the water a tiny bridge gave entrance to the Crystal Gotto, containing thousands of hand made crystals.

Carrying on we passed a ruined Roman Arch, a water cascade at the Lakes Head and then into woodland and a waterwheel.

The water wheel provides the power required to lift water from the River Mole running alongside and provide a gentle flow thru the lake. An elegant and cost effective solution to a problem ! Our walk now left the lake heading upwards along an Alpine Valley clothed in greensward and conifers. Around a corner now loomed the Gothic Tower, where I left Hazel and did a detour towards the Hermitage.

Apparently the resident hermit wasn’t truly committed, being spotted at the local pub, but it’s a lovely shady spot today.

The Gothic Tower was 4 stories high with an extremely steep and narrow spiral staircase. As a reward for the truly committed a small shop at the top provided refreshments, Hazel being pleased when 2 ice creams magically appeared out of my camera case when rejoining her.

Further onwards now to the Elysian Plains, with of course a Temple to Bacchus. It was amazing how the simple planting of mainly trees and shrubs gave totally different feelings to each area. Some of the trees, especially the Cedars were magnificent.

We were now on the downward leg and finally heading back. The guide book said 2 hours to do our walk, I think we were nearly 4 with a couple of refreshment stops and hundreds of photo ops !

Back now to the middle point in our figure of 8, and the horse box trailer for a cool drink, then along the lake edge again.

By now we were both sore from 2 days walking, but it’s good practice for the upcoming Irish Tours ! A great day around a magnificent property that was derelict until 1986. A lot of hard work had been put in, and I can see why Monty Don had to include it in his series. Tomorrow we will head back onto the water, for a rest and final trip to Godalming. We are due some warm weather, so shady spots will be in demand.