Stansted Park

Stansted Park The House is set as though the Earl was still at home and gives the visitor a look at what life was like 'Upstairs and Downstairs'. A great family day out!
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Stansted Park Estate is home to one of the UK’s finest Edwardian Houses surrounded by stunning 18th Century landscape, located in the heart of the
South Downs National Park Magnificent state rooms and extensive servants' quarters await you in this beautiful Edwardian house, set in 1800 acres of ancient forest and extraordinary landscaped parkland. Bring your loved ones along to enjoy the beautiful

surroundings of this amazing house. With a tea pavilion, garden centre, farm shop, walled garden, arboretum, a fun maze and miniature railway there's plenty to do for young and old! House and Chapel open Easter weekend to the end of September - Sunday to Wednesday 13:00 - 17:00 (last entry 4pm)

Grounds open 7 days a week all year round.

The huge Sweet Chestnut known as the Battle of the Nile tree has lost part of its crown in recent strong winds. This sho...
04/09/2026

The huge Sweet Chestnut known as the Battle of the Nile tree has lost part of its crown in recent strong winds. This should not affect it much; it lost most of its crown in the 1987 storm and regrew a new one after that. It gained its name during a guided walk l was conducting many years ago and whilst showing this magnificent tree to the attendees I demonstrated estimating a trees age. With most broadleaves this can be done by measuring the circumference at breast height. Depending on species, most common hardwoods have a year of age to an inch of circumference once reasonably mature. I announced the potential age and that it meant the tree was planted or germinated from seed around 1798. This prompted a knowledgeable historian in the group to exclaim 'the year of the Battle of the Nile' and so the name has stuck.
It is a special thing to stand under a very old tree and contemplate what has occurred around it during its life. Just don't do it on a windy day!
Michael Prior - Head Forester

On a sweltering day in August, what little breeze there was still managed to cause the fluttering of the Aspen trees (P...
02/09/2026

On a sweltering day in August, what little breeze there was still managed to cause the fluttering of the Aspen trees (Populus tremula) I was standing next to. Aspen or Quaking Aspen as it is sometimes called is a native tree of the poplar family. The distinctive round leaves with wavy edges are a fresh green and the fluttering in the slightest air movement is caused by leaf stems that are flat in section. As a native tree it is important for wildlife and could also play a part in future more diverse timber stands as it appears to be unaffected by climate warming. Certainly, the young trees I was looking at were growing quite vigorously on a chalky slope and producing large numbers of root suckers which will grow into new trees. The leaves of these suckers are unlike the mature tree being larger and with less undulation on the margins. Come autumn this tree gives us an attractive display of clear yellow before leaf drop.
Michael Prior - Head Forester

Join us on Saturday 5th September from 9am - 3:30pm for a specialist-led menopause workshop bringing together expert ins...
29/08/2026

Join us on Saturday 5th September from 9am - 3:30pm for a specialist-led menopause workshop bringing together expert insight across medical, nutritional and physical health, alongside support for emotional wellbeing. Designed to provide clear, evidence-based guidance and practical strategies, this day offers a supportive and informative environment for women at any stage of menopause.

Led by an experienced multidisciplinary team, topics include HRT and medical options, menopause and cancer, anxiety and confidence, strength and bone health, nutrition, and breathwork. A live panel Q&A provides the opportunity to ask questions and gain personalised insight.

Tickets include a welcome snack on arrival, a grazing-table lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and access to all sessions.

Find out more about each practitioner and book tickets at:
www.stanstedpark.co.uk/events/menopause-wellness-day

Castle Field Plantation part 1September will see the start of our new woodland project in Castle Field. The genesis of t...
28/08/2026

Castle Field Plantation part 1
September will see the start of our new woodland project in Castle Field. The genesis of this was the original Parkland Restoration Plan back in the 1990's. This suggested the very thin section of the southwest belt of the Main Avenue should be reinstated to its former width by planting part of the adjacent arable field. From old maps it could be seen that this field had been predominantly woodland hundreds of years ago but had been cleared for farming in the past. At the time we could not progress this as we did not own the field but now that has changed, we are able to go ahead with our plan.
Not wanting to reduce good arable area, the new plantation is a 60-metre-wide belt against the existing one leaving the remainder of the field for food crops.
To be continued...
Michael Prior - Head Forester at Stansted Park

Our Tree of the Month for August drew my attention when looking at work to be done in the arboretum by the heavy scent o...
26/08/2026

Our Tree of the Month for August drew my attention when looking at work to be done in the arboretum by the heavy scent of its flowers. It was our specimen of Henry's Lime (Tilia henryana) a rare tree that originates from China. It is named after Augustine Henry who collected the first specimen in 1888 and was introduced to cultivation in the west in 1901.
It is a slow growing tree and ours is certainly not the finest form but its bright green leaves with delicately fringed edges and the smell of its tiny flowers make up for its rather haphazard branching and in fact means that the attractive leaf form and flowers are more easily appreciated. It needs to be grown in sheltered spot as it is frost sensitive but would make a good specimen for a larger garden.
Michael Prior - Head Forester

Our final Outdoor Theatre show for 2026 will be staged on the South Lawn next to Stansted House. Bring your friends, fam...
23/08/2026

Our final Outdoor Theatre show for 2026 will be staged on the South Lawn next to Stansted House. Bring your friends, family and picnics as The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem in King Arthur and the Holy Fail on Friday 4th September at 6pm.
In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero - waiting in the wings - who went by the name of Arthur. But when Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic - and frankly improbable - incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate? Destiny awaits, chivalry calls, and the quest to end all quests begins. Saddle up - things are about to get legendary.

Ticket at www.stanstedpark.co.uk/events/king-arthur-and-the-holy-fail

21/08/2026

Round off your Summer with the FANTASTIC Three Inch Fools’ hilarious production - King Arthur and the Holy Fail - here at Stansted Park!

An epic tale of Arthurian adventure and Medieval Mayhem from some of the best storytellers in the business.

Bring a picnic, bring a chair and prepare for a fabulous evening of entertainment against the glorious backdrop of Stansted House

Tickets available through the link 🔗

I was pleased to find a small self-set Bullace plant (Prunus domestica subspecies insititia) growing in the Main Avenue ...
21/08/2026

I was pleased to find a small self-set Bullace plant (Prunus domestica subspecies insititia) growing in the Main Avenue car park. It is not a common tree locally; there are a few in the East Park that I planted many years ago and some older ones in a hedge on Broadreed Farm. The fruit is either yellow or black depending on the variety. They are larger than sloes but smaller than damsons and are spherical rather than oval which damsons are. Some authorities think they are truly native, but others believe they are a plant introduced by the Romans.
They can be made into jam, wine, bullace gin and used in pies but I like them straight off the tree. The fruit is readily consumed by a variety of wildlife.
Michael Prior - Head Forester

For your young budding detectives, finish the summer holidays with a mystery to solve! Torchlight Mysteries are bringing...
20/08/2026

For your young budding detectives, finish the summer holidays with a mystery to solve! Torchlight Mysteries are bringing a brand new family friendly Murder Mystery to Stansted House on Saturday 29th August at 6pm. Step into a World of Secrets...your mission: Explore the magnificent Stansted House, interrogate the suspects, from glamorous guests to secretive servants, investigate the trail of clues using your best sleuthing skills to solve the mystery!
Tickets and more info at www.stanstedpark.co.uk/events/step-into-a-world-of-secrets%3A-the-stansted-house-murder-mystery

A recent break away to Devon and Cornwall meant I could attend the Mid Devon and Launceston Agricultural Shows. There we...
19/08/2026

A recent break away to Devon and Cornwall meant I could attend the Mid Devon and Launceston Agricultural Shows.
There were vintage tractors alongside numerous agricultural merchants showing off the latest equipment. Tents of produce competitions where exceptional vegetables, flowers, fruit and cakes were vying for the prizes on offer.
Cattle, sheep, goats and poultry were likewise being exhibited. There were displays of gun dog work, heavy horses, children meeting the hounds and a plethora of local charities and societies showcasing how they work with and help the rural population.
Finally, several local farms were selling their home-produced ice cream which and I thought it only polite to try one of each. Two wonderful days celebrating the best of the British countryside.
Michael Prior - Head Forester

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Stansted Park Rowland's Castle Portsmouth
Rowlands Castle
PO96DX

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