You can visit a stunning 18th century crystal grotto in Surrey that looks like a fairytale and even works as a wedding venue.
Set within the stunning 18th century landscaped gardens of Painshill in Cobham, Painshill’s Crystal Grotto is certainly an unusual sight to behold and not one you’d expect to see within the M25.
The gardens were the work of Charles Hamilton and is today considered to be one of the “foremost and finest” examples of the English Landscape Movement.
The gardens are home to several stunning landmarks including a 27-metre Gothic Tower, The Ruined Abbey and The Gothic Temple offering full views of Painshill and the Surrey skyline.
This man-made structure is a crystal-covered cave, and with its hanging stalactites it has the look of something you may expect to find in the pages of a fairy tale novel or home to some kind of mythical creature.
The naturalistic cave is a display of shimmering crystals and rough rock which is a highlight to see in the gardens during the summer months.
Following its construction in 1765-1770, the structure had undergone a lot of damage by the 1940s with the roof collapsing.
However, the grotto has since been restored in the last decade following a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
When it was first built it was described by German landscape designer Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell as “the finest of its type ever built”, and with its shimmering crystals and natural appearance it’s easy to see why.
Recently the location was also licensed for weddings and civil partnership ceremonies, serving as the perfect backdrop for any couple looking for a fairy-tale inspired location to tie the knot.
But even if you’re not planning a wedding, you can still visit the grotto Tuesday – Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm, with entry to the grotto included with the price of your ticket for the gardens.
Tickets to enter cost £11 for an adult, £10 for a concession and £6 for children over the age of five, with carers being admitted free of charge.
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