Construction work
Construction is due to finish in winter 2020/21.
Construction company Buxton Building Contractors has comprehensively risk assessed all work activities in the light of Government Covid-19 information to ensure the safety and welfare of staff and contractors. Additional procedures and arrangements to be observed have been communicated to the workforce.
Visitors to the park are asked to keep their distance from the marked and fenced off construction site working areas, and not to use construction site access routes and areas.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Other updates
Roadworks outside Stanmer House
Roadworks started on 12 October 2020.
To enable these works to go ahead, we are installing a temporary one-way trackway route for vehicles across a small section of the grassed area opposite Stanmer House.
This will give vehicles continued access to areas around and through this part of the park while the work is in progress.
The temporary route is for vehicles travelling north-west through the park, ie in the direction of Stanmer Village only. Vehicles leaving the park should continue to follow the existing one-way roadway on the opposite side of the church.
All park users and visitors, particularly pedestrians and those driving vehicles, should exercise particular care while moving around in and near the works area during these works.
Access is being put in place for Courtyard residents, and also for access to Stanmer House. These routes will change during the works. Signage and traffic marshalling is also being put in place.
The roadway works are expected to take about four weeks, until around 6 November 2020.
The park’s 78 bus service will continue to serve the park on its usual route.
You can find further information and timetables.
New information and welcome kiosk
This new building, by the Lower Lodges entrance, will offer drinks and snacks, and include park bike hire and public toilet facilities.
It is due to complete in December 2020.
If you are interested in tendering to run this facility, contact Avison Young on 01273 738 383.
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)
The consultation period has now finished.
A decision was made at the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on 29 September 2020 to enact the order and to start charging for car parking once the Stanmer Park Restoration Project building works are completed. This is expected to be in January 2021.
Car parking at Stanmer Park
Update 17 September 2020
The temporary grass car park in Stanmer Park is closed until further notice, because we need to protect the park’s sensitive environment from long-term damage.
Recent heavy rainfall means vehicles were causing severe damage to the field and carrying a large amount of mud onto the surrounding roads. This was particularly bad at the car park’s exit onto Stony Mere Way.
The Lower Lodges East car park area and church car park are still open.
The disabled car park spaces (which are clearly sign posted) on the concrete hard-standings alongside the central driveway are still available for Blue Badge holders.
All other car park areas on the main driveway are now closed, as they are being returned to grass.
Car parking is not allowed on park roads, on verges, on grassed areas or in other areas not marked as designated car parking areas.
Parking enforcement is in operation at Stanmer Park. You may be charged for parking in areas that are not designated parking areas.
There may be some short-term parking issues until the Lower Lodges West side car park area is re-opened. This is likely to be in December 2020.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused because of these measures.
An update from One Garden Brighton
There is a small team of Horticulture and Grounds and Gardens staff social distance planting at One Garden Brighton, which will be operating the Walled Garden area.
The Walled Garden is expected to open to the public in Spring 2021.
Read the latest One Garden Brighton newsletter to:
- get an update of what’s happening in the Walled Garden area
- register your interest in taking part in future planting and other volunteering opportunities, including future activities for schools in the Walled Garden
If you are not already subscribed to the main Stanmer Park Restoration Project’s mailing list, send an email to stanmerproject@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Public events at Stanmer 2020
Covid-19 is having a major effect on public events, with many being cancelled, postponed or changed in significant ways to ensure public safety. Please check individual event organisers' websites for up to date information on any public events scheduled to take place at Stanmer Park for the remainder of 2020.
About Stanmer Park
Stanmer Park is Brighton’s largest park. It is a gateway between the city and the South Downs National Park. Designed in the 18th century, it is a grade II registered landscape which is historically and nationally significant.
The park includes Grade I listed Stanmer House, plus 25 Grade II listed buildings and structures.
Both the buildings and landscape have deteriorated and are classified as At Risk by English Heritage.
There has been limited estate-wide management of the park for several decades. Significant resources are needed now to reverse this decline.
Project Plan
To ensure this important 18th century designed landscape is conserved and restored and will be available and meaningful to future generations of residents, businesses and visitors. Our landscape vision also aims to balance the competing demands on the estate.
In January 2017, we were awarded
£3.8m
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund
What is the Stanmer Park Restoration project
Brighton and Hove City Council has secured £5.1 million for a project to restore 20 hectares of the 485 hectares park. The restoration will focus on:
- the Walled Garden and surrounding areas
- the 18th century landscape and historical features (including the entrance and parkland to Stanmer House)
The project is being funded by National Lottery Heritage fund and BIG Lottery ‘Parks for People’ scheme as well as Brighton & Hove City Council, Plumpton College and the South Downs National Park Authority.
Work is being carried out by Buxton Building contractors.
The Walled Garden will be transformed into an attractive expertly designed garden. There will be a new café and opportunities for horticultural teaching, learning and volunteering.
The Frankland Monument will be restored. A kiosk at the Lower Lodges will include:
- food and drink
- public toilets
- bike hire
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What are the project outcomes
As well as restoring 20-hectares of landscape, the project will also protect and rejuvenate Stanmer Park by carrying out the following activity:
- provide hundreds of education, training and volunteering opportunities - plus other activities as part of a new Activity Plan
- improve and increase park-wide access and movement for all
- explain and celebrate the park's history and importance
- plant over 250 new trees
- create a long-term management vision for the park for the next 10 years, including an estate-wide Woodland Management Plan
- provide a dedicated onsite team to deliver the 10 year vision and beyond