An exceptional example of an 18th century grotto in its entire and original form has been restored and officially opened at Painshill Park.

The crystal Grotto was unveiled yesterday by Lady Lucinda Lambton, with the writer, photographer and broadcaster placing the final crystal in the grotto.

The grotto is once again a sparkling centrepiece within the historic landscape garden created by the Honourable Charles Hamilton between 1738 and 1773.

Specialist craftsmen have spent the past year on the heritage project to restore the site, which has been recognised as the finest stalactite grotto in Europe.

Inspired by the grottos in Italian Renaissance gardens, Hamilton commissioned the grotto maker in 1760 to construct the one which stands in Cobham.

The updating of the grotto has combined extensive research of archive material and archaeological data, with landscaping and expert craftsmanship.

Hundreds of thousands of crystals, calcite, gypsum, quarts and fluorite, have been embedded with lime mortar on to a framework of inverted wooden cones to recreate the dazzling effect of the original grotto.

Lady Lambton says of the grotto: “What a shimmering strangeness. Indeed, there is no more shimmeringly strange spot in the United Kingdom than the restored-to-its-full-glory grotto at Painshill.”

The latest phase of the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration, in addition to the grotto, includes the reinstatement of the historic Woollett Bridge and improved accessibility to enhance the visitor experience at Painshill.

Stuart McLeod, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund south-east, says: “We are delighted that the crystal Grotto at Painshill, one of only a handful left of this type of landscape feature, has been fully restored to its former glory.

“Now more accessible and visitor friendly than ever, people from near and far will be able to learn from and enjoy this enchanting place for many years to come.”

The Painshill Crystal Grotto, Painshill Park, Cobham; open weekends from 1pm to 4pm from June 29; visit painshill.co.uk for more information.