Stanmer Park

Stanmer Park is a large public park on the north-eastern edge of Brighton and Hove on England's south coast. Once the private estate of the Pelham family, the Earls of Chichester, it now offers woodland, open downland, a historic village and a Georgian manor house in a single day out.

What is Stanmer Park?

The park is a Local Nature Reserve and is listed at Grade II on England's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, a designation made by English Heritage. Brighton Corporation acquired the estate after the Second World War, and it has been open to residents and visitors ever since.

What is there to see?

Stanmer House. This Georgian manor is listed Grade I, the highest category. It reopened in 2006 after restoration. Beside it, the old walled garden is now One Garden Brighton, with a café and a free public garden.

Stanmer village. Records of a settlement here go back to 765 AD. The Pelhams pulled down the original village and rebuilt it in the 18th century. Its houses are listed, and the medieval site is a scheduled monument.

Stanmer Church. The present flint building dates from 1838, though a church has stood here since the 13th century. It sits next to the village pond. It no longer holds regular services, and its churchyard contains members of the Pelham family and local estate workers. The Stanmer Preservation Society has opened the interior on some Sunday afternoons, so check hours before you go.

Which walking route should you choose?

The council describes three themed trails: the Woodland Walk (the longest), the Historic Walk and the Monument Walk.

• The Historic trail is about 1 mile. It passes the house, walled garden, Water Catcher, village, church, pond and the donkey wheel.
• The Monument trail is about 3 miles. It runs through Great Wood to the Frankland Monument and Lot's Pond.

The park is also a gateway to the South Downs Way, the long-distance path along the chalk hills of southern England.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants a short walk with some history: families, fans of Georgian architecture, hikers and cyclists from Brighton. You can cover the main sights in a few hours, and the garden café is a handy stop halfway round.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Stanmer Park? On the north-eastern outskirts of Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex.

Is there an entrance fee? Entry to the park is free, as is the garden next to the house.

Can you go inside the church? It is not open daily. The local preservation society opens it on occasional afternoons.

Which route is best for a first visit? The short Historic Walk takes in the main buildings in one afternoon. Choose the longer woodland routes when you want to go deeper into the park.

Is Stanmer Park a good starting point for the South Downs Way? Yes, the park is one of the convenient access points to the trail.