A gorgeous walk located just an hour’s drive from London is filled with stunning views of parks and a ‘magical’ grotto that will make you feel like walking through a fantasy novel
Getting outside and enjoying nature can do wonders for your mental health, as well as the boost to your physical fitness that the exercise will give you, and there are plenty of gorgeous places across the UK where you can take in the scenery while you walk.
And if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re living in a fantasy book, then you need to visit this stunning location just one hour outside of London. This makes it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city on the weekend.
Painshill in Cobham, Surrey, is a park and landscape garden that was created in the 18th century as a “living painting” that combines beautiful greenery, calming water features, and even a “magical” crystal grotto.
It is just 22 miles from central London via the A3, but you can also get to it via public transport. From London Waterloo, take a train to Esher and then hop on the 715 bus or grab a taxi to take you to your destination.
The walk was shared on TikTok by a woman named Ani, who also shared details of how to get to Painshill, and said the “breathtaking” gardens become even more stunning when the bluebells are in bloom in April and May.
She said: “This crystal grotto is less than an hour from London. It’s made of more than 10,000 crystals and is within a breathtakingly beautiful park – where you can wander along its historic pathways, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or be lucky enough to catch bluebells in bloom. It’s definitely a day trip to save for the summer time!”
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Painshill is regarded as one of the foremost and finest examples of the English Landscape Movement, and while it’s perfect for a quiet afternoon observing nature or for photographers wanting to capture breathtaking vistas, it also offers plenty of outdoor play options, making it ideal for all the family.
There are two distinct walking routes through the park. One is the historic route that is around 2.5 miles long, and the other is an accessible route designed for wheelchairs and buggies, which is slightly shorter at just 1.5 miles.
Both routes take you around the lake in the middle of the gardens and through the crystal grotto, but only the historic route allows you to visit some attractions such as the Temple of Bacchus, the Waterwheel, the Gothic Tower, and the Hermitage.
By far the most stunning part of the gardens is the crystal grotto, which is described on the park’s website as a “magical, naturalistic cave” filled with bubbling water and stalactites.
It states: “A highlight of any day out at Painshill, the Crystal Grotto is a place where you will not want to put your camera down. Children are captivated, and adults stand in awe of the incredible man-made feature.
“The spectacular Grotto is a magical, naturalistic cave with shimmering, bubbling water, rough rock and stalactites covered in sparkling crystals. On a sunny day, shafts of light pierce the interior through carefully placed openings in the ceiling. The light makes the crystals sparkle as it bounces off the coral pools and lake water.”
If you want to see the grotto in all its glory when you visit Painshill, please note that it is not open on Mondays (excluding bank holidays) as park staff close it for maintenance.
Entry to Painshill is cheaper if you book online ahead of your visit. Online tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £5.50 for children, although off-peak tickets (which run outside of school holidays) are £10 for adults and £5 for children. If you were to pay on the day, you’d spend £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. Children under five and companions of disabled visitors go free.
For more information, visit the Painshill website.
