One of the finest examples of an 18th century landscape garden, Painshill in Cobham also boasts a wonderful walled productive garden. Leigh Clapp admires the high summer bounty
THE artistic vision of the Hon. Charles Hamilton, Painshill grew over time as the keen plantsman, painter and imaginative designer purchased more than 250 acres of land to create the Cobham estate.
Between 1738 and 1773, Hamilton transformed the barren heathland into an ornamental landscape of contours with composed views, a 14-acre serpentine lake and carefully planned trees and shrubberies.
Then there was the flourish of surprise brought by an array of architectural follies, including a ruined abbey, crystal grotto and Gothic temple. With a limited budget and ambitious designs, most of the buildings were like stage sets – quite flimsy and built of wood rendered to look like stone.
Inspiration came from Renaissance and contemporary art along with visits to Italy on two grand tours. The resulting garden is a series of romantic scenes designed to delight the senses through a journey of discovery. Considered a ‘living work of art’ the landscape was one of the first to reflect the change in the fashion for formal geometric designs to the naturalistic, picturesque style. Respected for his knowledge of plants, Hamilton obtained some rare and exotic additions for Painshill, including Lebanon cedars, trees and shrubs from Philadelphia through the naturalist John Bartram and he also supplied seeds to nurseries. In addition, he had three walled gardens built using bricks made on site for the working areas of the garden.
Lost beauty
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Surrey Life.
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Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Surrey Life.
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The House That Rocks
Transforming an impressive, seven-bedroom Victorian property in Dorking wasn’t without its challenges, but the result is a stunning family home that has had the interiors world raving
REMEDY FOR SUCCESS
Surrey’s Tracy Borman discusses the return of her heroine healer in the final book of her best-selling fictional trilogy
Love Celia
Actress Celia Imrie has travelled the world for work and leisure but wherever she goes there is a part of her which is forever Surrey
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH
Art & Action: Making Change in Victorian Britain at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton focuses on the Victorian roots of art activism
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The Range Rover plug-in hybrid brings silent electric motoring to this iconic luxury car
THE OPEN ROAD
Chris Pickering rounds up some of the best drives in Surrey
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Oxted & Limpsfield
With the North Downs looming nearby and glorious countryside surrounding it, Oxted is a town with real “escape from London” appeal and character, while nearby Limpsfield has a superb village vibe with its own community-run pub
Artist to the stars
Known as ‘The Face of Modern British Impressionism’, Mickleham-based Sherree Valentine Daines is celebrating four decades at the forefront of her field
A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME
The Signet Collection’s inaugural hotel project is a reimagining of a former royal guest house, situated directly opposite Hampton Court Palace
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Godalming & Hascombe
On the banks of the River Wey, Godalming is a watercolour pretty town surrounded by pristine countryside and in-demand rural villages, such as Hascombe
