Stansted Park

Some sources suggest that at some time before 1094, a hunting lodge was built for Roger de Montgomery, first Earl of Arundel.

The historic listing summary adds that "Stansted probably originated as a park within the Royal Forest of Bere Porchester, whose over-lords were the earls of Arundel.

It was recorded as in use for hunting and for timber production in the medieval period, while a survey of buildings of the Manor of Stansted in 1327 included a hall and a chapel".

"[3] A new house was built on the present site, starting in 1686, for Richard Lumley, probably to a design by William Talman.

The historic listing states that Richard laid out "formal gardens, radiating avenues and parkland on its east side.

[1] The property was inherited in 1776 by 2nd Earl of Halifax 1766; he also built the nearby folly tower, now known as Racton Monument.

An illustrated history of Stansted Park from the 12th century is included in Lord Bessborough's book The Enchanted Forest.

The Park's web site adds some specifics: "It was consecrated on 25th January 1819 [and] contains a unique East window with Christian/Jewish iconography and Hebrew tablets of the Ten Commandments.

The Park's Web site stated that restoration of the chapel had recently been completed, "supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund", but does not specify the date.

The railway opened on Easter 2005, and is designed to attract more visitors to the House, which is located in a forest near Havant.