You can find the locations of most of Stanmer Park's attractions on the Stanmer Park map. More information is also on park interpretation boards.
The Pelhams demolished the original village and replaced it with the line of listed 18th-century houses we see today making an attractive backdrop for a stop in Stanmer Village.
The site of the original medieval village, in the paddock opposite the current houses, has been designated as a scheduled ancient monument protecting it from damage. Although hard to see, some outline foundations may still be seen if you look over the gate next to the public toilets.
Find out more about the picturesque historic Stanmer Village and the surrounding area.
At the eastern end of Stanmer Village Street is the Grade II listed Long Barn. This barn has changed many times over the years from its early beginnings in the 18th century, to suit different farming needs.
The Long Barn’s farmyard opened to the public in April 2023. This opening is part of a longer-term plan to restore and develop more of the Traditional Agricultural Building complex to bring it back into use in a flexible and self-sufficient way.
Operating from Stanmer House’s former kitchen garden, One Garden Brighton is a free-to-enter ornamental garden run by Plumpton College. It was restored as part of the Stanmer Park Restoration Project.
One Garden Brighton offers many visitor attractions including:
We’ve developed 3 themed walking trails at the park:
View the trails on our park map. There are signposts in the park.
Stanmer is set within the South Downs National Park and is a great start or end point to walk into the wider National Park. View The South Downs National Park website. Download The South Down's Walks leaflet.
Use the Living Coast’s website to find walks at Stanmer Park and other locations in and around the city.
Download a map of trails at Stanmer Park.
Bikes can be hired for use in the park from Circa in the Park. Circa in the Park is open daily.
Beryl Bikes operates hubs in the park and many other hubs across the city where you can hire e-bikes or standard bikes to explore Stanmer Park and the city.
Stanmer as a designed landscape has many trees which have been planted in the woods and parkland over the last 200 to 300 years. The park also has some older native specimens. Find out more about the special trees at Stanmer Park.
Use the accompanying tree trail app to find the locations of these special trees. The app also provides web links to help you find out more about each of the trees. Enter the postcode BN1 9SE to find the Stanmer location.
Read more about the learning opportunities at Stanmer Park including:
Stanmer House is a Grade I listed Georgian manor. Find out more about Stanmer House.
Built in 1838 on the site of a former church which was destroyed by fire, the decommissioned church is not open to the public, but you can look around its historic churchyard, where the lords and ladies of the manor are buried.
The Donkey Wheel building is owned by the Stanmer Preservation Society.
Find out more about the Donkey Wheelhouse.
The Grade II listed Water Catcher, built in 1870 to 1875, once provided clean gravity-fed drinking water through underground pipes and sunken storage tanks to Stanmer House.
The large concrete and stone pad gathered rainwater into a filter bed which then filled underground brick storage tanks. Around the sides of the pad were slate-covered grooves which covered a leaky area and gathered more rainwater and potentially heavy dew.
The council is working with partners aiming to restore this unique Victorian feature.
The listed Frankland Monument, erected in memory of MP Frederick Frankland in 1775 on the edge of the Great Wood, was restored by the Stanmer Park Restoration Project. It features 3 eye-catching turtles at its base.
Off-grid Earthship Brighton is the Low Carbon Trust's first project, and the first Earthship built in England. Read more about Earthship Brighton.
Stanmer Organics is a Soil Association-accredited organic centre. It supports projects that promote health, well-being, education and more sustainable lifestyles.
Brighton Permaculture Trust is affiliated with Stanmer Organics who manages orchards at the park and holds a nationally recognised national collection of Sussex apple trees. Find out more about our apple orchards.
Find out more about Stanmer Organics and volunteering opportunities.
Operated by Stanmer Preservation Society volunteers, this is located in the village next to the stables and is open on Sunday afternoons.
We look after the woods and:
The Stanmer Woodland Management Plan (WMP) was first approved by the Forestry Commission in 2018. The next delivery plan is now being revised to cover the next 10 years.
The Plan update includes action to manage the devastating effects of Ash Dieback at the park as part of our urgent citywide programme. Learn more about how we manage ash dieback.
All of the grazing land and woodland in the park is open access meaning you can roam where you like.
We do ask that you:
The government has published advice for countryside visitors. More information on following the Countryside Code is available.
View a map of Stanmer Woods with traditional field names (PDF 643KB).
View a map of Stanmer Woodlands (10MB).
Download a map of trails at Stanmer Park.