Stanmer Park Walk

Route Description for Stanmer Park Walk

The Stanmer Park Walk takes you on a peaceful stroll along the countryside and showcases panoramic views of the South Downs National Park and beyond. However, the path is quite exposed and does not have many trees in some areas to cover you, so on a hot day, ensure to wear sunscreen and bring along a hat. The wind can be treacherous in these exposed areas as well! The path can also get quite muddy after heavy rainfall, ensuring you are prepared with proper footwear.

The path is relatively level, so even though it is a longer walk, it feels much shorter than it is. The Stanmer Park is one of the biggest parks located in Sussex and showcases unique 18th-century landscapes. You will also get to explore the village of Stanmer, which is a quaint area of the park that houses Stanmer farmlands, tea rooms, churches, ponds and the Stanmer House.

At the car park, head to the wooden signpost and walk along the tarmac bridleway past the Stanmer Park restoration project notice. Navigate through the gate and walk between the houses known as Upper Lodges. You will come to another gate where you will turn right and then veer left at the fork in the path. Descend into the forest to reach a clearing with two paths on the left, ignore these and continue to walk straight past the car park. You will come across another fork in which you will turn left and merge back into the forest.

The path will begin to level out, and you will catch glimpses of South Downs National Park. A crossroads will appear, and you will veer left, which will bring you down a slope along a field. Next, you will come across the Franklin Monument. Continue and turn left at the bench, where you will enter a grassy area, and you will turn right. The Amex Stadium and Stanmer House will appear in the distance, and you will come across a car park, where you will turn left and walk down the road.

Walk past the Stanmer House and follow the road until you come to a narrow mud track leading left to the Home Farm Orchard. After viewing this, continue past the church and head left on an unsigned footpath. Pass public washrooms and the tea rooms while walking along this path, and continue walking straight to go by some barns and come to the fork where you will head right. As the hill steepens, turn left at a crossroad and pass the pylon up this steep slope. Continue to follow the markers set out along this path and head through a gate that leads to Brighton and Hove Access Land. You will see a mud footpath, head down this and wander through a grassy field, through another gate and onto a concrete path. You will arrive at another gate, which will take you along a wooded track, where you will see the tarmac that you began on and soon come back to the car park.

Insider Hints for Stanmer Park Walk

• Enjoy the Stanmer tea rooms along the path and grab a slice of cake.
• The Stanmer House has a restaurant inside, where you can grab lunch and a drink. In the cooler months, the Stanmer House offers roaring fires to keep guests cozy and warm.
• Use the Upper Lodges car park as it is not usually super busy.
• Head to the Brighton Palace Pier, where you can watch the sunset and enjoy a meal.
• If you enjoy flea markets, head over to Snoopers Paradise, where many hidden treasures can be found.