STANSTED PARK.
Situated in 1750 acres of beautiful park and woodland, near Rowlands Castle on the Hampshire, West Sussex border, Stansted House is one of
southern England's best stately homes.
Stansted boasts excellent displays of furniture, art work, porcelain alongside
the beauty of the house itself,
which includes superb state rooms, the grounds alone merit a visit and include walled gardens, a garden centre, ancient chapel and tearoom.
The original building on this site was a hunting lodge built in the 11th
century.
Following that a more substantial counrty house was built at Stansted in 1688
for Richard Lumley, unfortunately this was detsroyed by fire in 1900 and rebuilt
in 1903.
Stansted was bought in 1924 by the Bessborough family and owned and lived in by the
9th and 10th Earls of Bessborough, a comprehensive history of Stansted Park
can be found in Lord Bessboroughs book titled "The Enchanted Forest".
The House and Estate have been owned, Since 1983, by Stansted Park Foundation,
a charitable trust entrusted with the preservation of the estate for the
benefit of the nation, the wish of the last owner,
Frederick Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough.
Stansted Park hosts various events throughout the year such as A Teddy Bears Picnic, Pottery Painting Days, The Stansted Park Proms,
and much more. For more details visit the Stansted Park website.
Stansted Park is also home to an extensive and well stocked garden centre and the lovely Pavilion Tearooms which is situated in the walled gardens.
There is a range of footpaths and bridleways across the Stansted Estate, including the Sussex Border Path.
Some areas are closed to the public to protect wildlife, dogs must always be kept under close control.
Opening times:
House and Chapel, Easter Sunday until the end of September on Sundays and Mondays 1pm - 4pm.
July and August Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm - 4pm.
Grounds and other attractions, open all year round. Free car parks are open 9-5pm with restricted access during the winter.
