Staff at Haslemere Museum have been left outraged by mindless vandalism after their beloved 18th-century gazebo was turned into a barbecue site and rubbish tip. Sometime between Thursday and Saturday, vandals held a barbecue in the gazebo, leaving its historic stone floor scorched and blackened and the surrounding area strewn with litter.

Museum chairman Melanie Odell said: “We have yet to assess the cost of the damage, but restoring it will doubtless be a blow to our limited resources and manpower. As a charity, the museum relies mainly on donor generosity to maintain its gardens for everyone to enjoy.”

Originally designed in the late 18th century when the property was a private home, the museum’s gardens were laid out according to the theories of landscape designer Sir Uvedale Price. Gazebos gained popularity during this period as places to sit and take in the view, and Haslemere’s gazebo, overlooking a pond, has become a beloved feature for local families and visitors alike.

“Our beautiful gazebo has been enjoyed by countless families visiting our gardens, and it’s hard to believe anyone could have so little regard for something so precious,” Odell added.

There is no forensic evidence available for the police to investigate further, but the museum is appealing to the public for any information on the incident. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual during the period in question is encouraged to contact the museum.

This callous vandalism comes at a serious cost to the charity, which houses a collection of artefacts from around the world, including a mummy, and 15,000 square metres of gardens – all without charging admission.

It costs £700 daily to keep the museum open, or a quarter of a million pounds a year, but as an independent charity, the museum relies entirely on donations and fundraising.