Between 2017 and 2021, Stanmer Park underwent a major project to restore 20 hectares of the 485-hectare park and estate.
The project’s objective was to ensure this important 18th-century designed landscape was conserved and remains available and meaningful to future generations of residents, businesses, and visitors.
The Stanmer Restoration Project is explained in this video.
Outcomes of the restoration project
The project's construction element focused on restoring the Walled Garden and surrounding areas, landscape and historical features. This included:
- creating a new off-road pathway alongside the main driveway
- building a new welcome and information kiosk at the Lower Lodges
- restoring the Frankland Monument
- providing new dedicated cycle parking
- creating new and improved car parks
We also:
- improved park-wide access and movement for all, including by designing walks and trails, providing new signage, fingerposts and interpretation boards
- explained and celebrated the park’s history and importance, including through our Oral History project and involving volunteers
- developed an ongoing programme of education, training and volunteering opportunities, activities and events in conjunction with our partners
- planted over 500 more native trees
- created a long-term management plan
- provided a dedicated onsite team for the park
Funding for the restoration project
The project was partly funded by an award of £3.8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Big Lottery ‘Parks for People’ fund.
Further funding came from the city council, Plumpton College, and South Downs National Park Authority.
We have invested around £6.2 million in the work in total so far.
Project research
A large number of historical documents including photos which were gathered and used for project research are now at The Keep, Brighton.