Epsom Garden Society

Cherrill will be visiting us again to talk about Painshill Landscape Garden, where she has been heavily involved in the research and restoration. 'Painshill in Surrey was one of the finest landscape gardens of the eighteenth century. It was the vision of Charles Hamilton, who created a garden of mood, designed to play on the senses and imagination. He was also a great plantsman, who grew vines for wine making and succeeded with a number of exciting North American plants. During the twentieth century Painshill was neglected, the buildings decayed and the garden became overgrown. Through the efforts of the Gardens Trust and local historians, most of the land was bought by Elmbridge Borough Council. In 1981 the Painshill Park Trust was formed to rescue and restore the garden. By using archive research, archaeological excavations and continual physical work, the magic and beauty of Painshill has been rediscovered.'