a aerial view of a park

LUC project at Stanmer Park makes South Downs Design Awards shortlist

Category
News
Posted
11 July 2024

We're thrilled to announce that our restoration project at Stanmer Park, in collaboration with Brighton & Hove City Council and Plumpton College, has been shortlisted for the South Downs Design Awards.

This recognition highlights our commitment to landscape-led design, conservation, and community engagement.

Aerial view of a garden with geometrically arranged garden beds, greenhouses, a visitor centre, and surrounding woodland.
A paved garden path lined with vibrant flower beds leads to a brick building with a glass greenhouse in the background.
A lush wildflower meadow with tall grasses and purple Verbena bonariensis flowers in the foreground. A brick wall and trees form the background, with a greenhouse visible on the left.
Aerial view of a garden with geometrically arranged garden beds, greenhouses, a visitor centre, and surrounding woodland.
A paved garden path lined with vibrant flower beds leads to a brick building with a glass greenhouse in the background.
A lush wildflower meadow with tall grasses and purple Verbena bonariensis flowers in the foreground. A brick wall and trees form the background, with a greenhouse visible on the left.
Aerial view of a garden with geometrically arranged garden beds, greenhouses, a visitor centre, and surrounding woodland.
A paved garden path lined with vibrant flower beds leads to a brick building with a glass greenhouse in the background.
A lush wildflower meadow with tall grasses and purple Verbena bonariensis flowers in the foreground. A brick wall and trees form the background, with a greenhouse visible on the left.

Public vote opens for People's Choice Award

The project is not only in the running for the Conversation category award but is also eligible for the "People's Choice" award. We encourage everyone to cast their vote for Stanmer Park and show their support for this extraordinary transformation.

Voting closes on 6 September.

Cast your vote
An outdoor cafe with yellow umbrellas and a black awning on a sunny day. People are sitting at tables on a patio enjoying food and drinks. The cafe is located in a garden with green lawns, gravel paths, and lush foliage. A magpie is walking on the grass in the foreground.

A landscape transformed

Stanmer Park, a 485-hectare Grade II Listed Park, is a beloved community space, a vital green lung on the edge of Brighton, and a gateway to the South Downs. Our project focused on restoring 20 hectares of the park's historic core, breathing new life into its landscape, buildings, and gardens.

Key elements of the restoration include:

  • Revitalised walled garden: Now a thriving hub with a café, farm shop, and educational facilities managed by Plumpton College as One Garden Brighton.
  • Improved access: Restored Lower Lodges entrance, new car parks, and a recreated Green Drive offer better access for all visitors.
  • Enhanced visitor experience: New trails, signage, and interpretation tell the park's rich history and ecology.
A paved road leads through a gated entrance to Stanmer Park. Two white gatehouses with brown signage flank the entrance. Trees and shrubs line the road beyond the gate.
Cafe interior
A lush wildflower garden with purple verbena bonariensis, white daisies, and lavender in front of a brick building with a window and arched doorway.
A paved road leads through a gated entrance to Stanmer Park. Two white gatehouses with brown signage flank the entrance. Trees and shrubs line the road beyond the gate.
Cafe interior
A lush wildflower garden with purple verbena bonariensis, white daisies, and lavender in front of a brick building with a window and arched doorway.
A paved road leads through a gated entrance to Stanmer Park. Two white gatehouses with brown signage flank the entrance. Trees and shrubs line the road beyond the gate.
Cafe interior
A lush wildflower garden with purple verbena bonariensis, white daisies, and lavender in front of a brick building with a window and arched doorway.

Sustainability and community at the heart

Our landscape-led approach prioritised sustainability, preserving the park's 18th-century design intent, enhancing ecological value, and promoting biodiversity.

We also worked closely with the local community throughout the project, ensuring their needs and aspirations were reflected in the design and execution.

A winding gravel path through a sunny meadow bordered by lush green trees.

Vote for Stanmer Park

We're immensely proud of the Stanmer Park restoration project and the positive impact it has had on the community and environment. We invite you to learn more about the project and cast your vote for the "People's Choice" award.

Your support will help us continue our mission to create inspiring and sustainable landscapes for everyone to enjoy.

Cast your vote

Recent news

See all news
See all news