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Stanmer Park
Latest news: A27/A270 junction improvements
Works have started on the A27/A270 junction improvements including construction of a new bridge and traffic lights at the A270/Stanmer link road junction (November 2009 to October 2010). Access to Stanmer Park will be open at all times subject to temporary delays and diversions (follow signs). Further information is in the press release on the stadium road improvements and the plans for Phase 2 are on display in the Cityparks lobby at Stanmer Nursery in Stanmer Park. Contact Osborne contractors for further information on 07736 597103
Stanmer Park car parks are for park users only.
About Stanmer Park
This huge landscaped park, including an additional 200 hectares of access land created by the council, is perfect for bracing farm walks and woodland strolls.
Facilities
- Football pitches (3)
- Toilets
- Stanmer Nursery, selling a wide range of seasonal plants
- Stanmer easy access route
- Stanmer Park healthwalks
- Stanmer & Ditchling Beacon leaflet [PDF 852Kb]
- University of Sussex boundary walk leaflet [PDF 376Kb]
- Stanmer House is owned by the council and leased to Cherrywood Ltd who open it to the public regularly
- Stanmer preservation society run the rural museum, donkey wheel house and the church
- Stanmer tea rooms, (01273 ) 604041
- Stanmer organics
- Care co-ops community farm
- Stanmer forge
Features and attractions
One of its most unusual features is an entire village - including an 18th century stately home - completely private and hidden away until bought by the council in 1947.
English Heritage, under the National Heritage Act 1983, registered the park as a Grade 2 site of special historic interest.
The park includes Stanmer House, built in 1722 which is listed Grade 1. It was built by the 1st Earl of Chichester, Thomas Pelham, with a listed stable complex, walled kitchen gardens currently used as a plant nursery and is a base for the council's Cityparks department.
Stanmer Church (listed Grade B) stands adjacent to the village pond and was rebuilt in 1838 along with the continuing development of the estate by the Pelham’s on the site of a 14th century building.
The Stanmer Park historic landscape survey and restoration plan, was commissioned by the council. It recommended a number of proposals for conserving, restoring and enhancing the landscape, including the rationalisation of car parking. Further information can be found in the Stanmer Park historic landscape survey & restoration management plan and Stanmer conservation area.
Did you know?
The Stanmer Estate was bought by Henry Pelham in 1713 for £7500. It remained in possession of the Pelham family until 1942 when the park was requisitioned by the War Office and garrisoned by the Canadian army throughout the war.Conservation
Stanmer is home to a wealth of plant and animal species. Deer, badger and several species of bat live in the woods, and in spring bluebells bring a touch of colour to the woodlands. The park also includes areas of chalk grassland and copses of sweet chestnut and hazel.
Stanmer Park is also the venue for the city’s annual Springwatch festival.
Park ranger
Our park rangers take a lead role in education events, habitat protection and conservation tasks in their areas. They also provide a reassuring uniformed presence in our parks to encourage a sense of security and to provide information.
The Rangers for Stanmer Park are Emma Owen and Neil Doyle.
Emma and Neil are heavily involved in conservation, and habitat preservation work in the park. They work with volunteers to coppice areas of the woods to create diverse wildlife habitat. They also work with the Wildlife Trust and local schools, lead guided walks and carry out wildlife surveys.
Accessibility
This large country park has a number of easy access routes laid out through the woods. Other routes/paths may be accessible to wheelchair users with assistance.
Parking is available in various locations around the park.
There are limited parking spaces in this park and priority use must be given to disabled park visitors.
An accessible toilet is available in the village.
Location
Stanmer Park is located between Coldean and the University of Sussex Falmer campus.
Limited parking is available at the park. There are good public transport links bus or train. Go to the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company website. View map of Stanmer Park and outskirts [PDF 1716kb]
- Breeze up to the downs bus no 78 from Brighton Old Steine
Contacts and useful links
Our events diary includes events in our parks and public green spaces.
For day to day management email Cityparks or telephone (01273) 292929
To book a football pitch contact Sports Bookings.
To hold an event in the park contact Events (01273) 292711
The operations manager responsible for Stanmer Park is Graeme Rolf.
