Painshill Park was created between 1738 and 1773 by the Hon Charles Hamilton, 9th son and 14th child of 6th Earl of Abercorn. A painter, plantsman and brilliantly gifted and imaginative designer, he dedicated his creative genius to the layout and composition of a landscape garden that was unique in Europe and still remains so.

Hamilton was educated at Westminster and Oxford, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Stephen and Henry Fox, wealthy sons and heirs of Sir Stephen Fox. Hamilton joined two Grand Tour's of Europe, first in 1725 with Stephen Fox and later in 1732 with Henry Fox, that cultivated his great interest in the arts.

In 1738, Hamilton began to acquire the land at Painshill, which over the years built up to over 250 acres. The gardens were divided into two parts; the ornamental pleasure grounds to the south, with the lake as the central feature, and an adjoining crescent of open parkland to the north in a free and natural style. Hamilton eventually ran out of money and sold the estate in 1773.

Until the outbreak of World War II it was held by a series of private owners, all of whom cherished their possession.

The main decay started in 1948 after the sale by the Coombe family to the Baroness de Veauce, who split up the estate, separating the mansion from the park, and sold it in separate lots.

Today it is a carefully restored 18th century landscape park and gardens of exceptional beauty.