It is a Local Nature Reserve[1] and English Heritage, under the National Heritage Act 1983, has registered the park on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England at Grade II level.

It was used as the first administrative centre of the 1961 University of Sussex, during the construction of its campus over a part of the park.

A walk of elm trees was preserved within the campus design, by architect Sir Basil Spence.

The church is now maintained by the Stanmer Preservation Society, which also runs the Donkey Wheel.

[4][5] Stanmer is surrounded by Sussex University to the east, Wild Park and Coldean to the southwest, more woodland with clay soils to the north west and the farmed South Downs.