Stansted Park

Stansted Park is a heritage park covering 230 hectares of land with a mix of formal gardens and forest areas. The grounds include a walled section for growing vegetables, an arboretum, and a network of paths and avenues that connect different garden spaces.

The land originated within a royal forest called Bere Porchester, with records from 1327 showing a hall and chapel already stood there. The gardens took their current form during the early 20th century when new designs were added and existing sections were redesigned.

The Dutch Garden with its circular pool is a focal point where visitors can experience how garden design shapes the way people move through the space. The radiating forest avenues guide you toward different parts of the property, creating natural meeting points and vistas that frame the journey.

The main entrance through South Lodge leads along a curved drive to the western forecourt and connects to various garden sections throughout the park. Walking shoes are helpful as the grounds have both paved paths and woodland tracks that vary in surface.

Three walled sections run north to south and form the kitchen garden, linked by a central pathway down the middle. This layout preserves how vegetables were grown and organized in the early 20th century in a way visitors can still see and understand today.