We were very fortunate! Our pet parent had a membership for Painshill Gardens https://www.painshill.co.uk/, so we were able to go for free, as many times as we wanted. If we had to pay, it would be 15 pounds each, per visit. So, basically $55 Canadian. The sun was shining, and it was 10 degrees, perfect walking weather. There were pathways to follow, with the historic walk option being 2.5 miles (which of course we thought we could handle, no problem hahahaha!)
OMG, I’ve not felt so out of shape! There were hills everywhere! Yes, it was a beautiful walk, with many spots great to take photos and catch the amazing view. Flowers were already popping up, with snowdrops, crocus, and what I think is cyclamen spotted. Daffodils are everywhere, waiting to burst into blooms in the next week or 2. The trees were gigantic.
The gardens are filled with interesting structures which were first built in the 1700's to 1800's, and then were painstakingly restored to their present glory. All fantastic photo backgrounds, amazing views, and located along intriguing pathways.
This is the Gothic Temple:
Next we crossed onto a little island to explore the Crystal Grotto. All of the crystals on the upper walls and ceiling were hand placed.
The bridges were all unique - and again, beautiful for photos.
We saw a lot of birds on the walk. I loved the swans, which seemed to pose for me (although they didn’t come close.)
The mallard ducks were clearly used to people, as they swam up close, then climbed out and were right by your feet, hoping to be fed! We saw them swarming a couple later who had brought some treats in for them.
We saw a few black birds with white faces that I had to look up, as I hadn’t seen them before. Eursian coots!
But then, we saw… the geese. Oh no, Canadian geese! (and NO, I didn't take any photos of them...) Giant poopers! I didn’t know they travelled so far. There was a back field filled with them. Ugh. Then there were a few unusual looking geese that were much nicer to look at.
Near the end of the walk, we saw the strangest thing. Cows. Lying on the ground, in the woods. I thought cows stayed in the pastures? Nope, these cows were clearly used to being in the forest. One had a pylon near its hind quarters. Was that a warning? Like, hey pedestrians, watch out for the thousand pound cow laying on the ground! Watch your step, or you might trip over the cow! Bahahahaha!
At the end of the walk the exit path takes you past the tea shop and the exit is through the gift shop. Since it was lunch time, we tried the tea shop. We shared a BBQ chicken tender sandwich with chips (being French fries, of course.) Very tasty, and we didn’t need to finish all the chips! The dining area had one entire wall made up of what looked to be folding glass panels, looking out through the trees and across the end of the gardens. Lovely view while you had your meal.
I’m hoping to come back multiple times, and use that as our exercise! So nice to be able to walk where there is no traffic. Even if I have to dodge the cows.
