Stansted
Park by
Dr. Jim Berry
Jim
Berry is an active member and leader of walks for
the Havant, Hayling and Emsworth Group and the Wildlife
Trust. He retains a keen interest and knowledge on
wild flora, but also, loves just messing about in
the mud in autumn, where his expertise and love of
fungi comes to the fore. If you want a subject to
study for the next 80 years of your life and hardly
touch upon, choose fungi. He also writes the articles
on wildlife for the Rowlands Castle Association Magazine.
If
anyone thinks all nature lovers can talk about nothing
but wildlife, a couple of them are rounded human beings.
When together, we do not always talk shop, we might
put the world to rights, or discuss last night’s
television programme (I even know of one individual,
who wishes to remain anonymous, admitting to having
watched an entire episode of Footballers’ Wives).
Jim for example, has a Ph.d in Physics, plays the
cello for Petersfield Orchestra, the organ St Michael’s
Church, Leigh Park, is an active member of the Institute
of Electrical Engineers, and the Probus Club, sings,
plays many sports in what he describes as a geriatric
fashion, is a family man, and still manages to frequent
his local patch at Stansted Park. During the holidays,
these 1750 acres, most of which is open to the public,
ensures he does not get too bored and keeps him out
of mischief, at least for a while.
Stansted
is one of those unknown jewels, another undiscovered
district, we are spoiled rotten in this area, so even
if not into wildlife, you can enjoy the scenery and
the peace. There are paths throughout this entire
area on the West Sussex\Hampshire border, abounding
in flora and fauna of every type. Unlike the New Forest,
it’s largely untramped by naturalists, and presents
varied walks throughout the seasons.
----------------------
STANSTED
PARK
Stansted
House began as a hunting Lodge in the 11th century
and, hardly surprisingly, in the intervening period
has seen many changes. The present house was built
in 1903 to replace its predecessor which was burnt
down in 1900.
The
house is set in some 1750 acres of parkland and woodland.
In the 1980s, Lord Bessborough, who then owned the
Estate, passed it to the Stansted Park Foundation,
a charitable trust charged with the preservation of
the Estate for the benefit of the nation. Entrance
to the house and gardens immediately adjacent to the
house, (including the arboretum, café, large
garden center, minature railway and other attractions)
is available on a regular basis during the official
opening hours. The majority of the Estate is devoted
to forestry with some areas of natural woodland, and
others of plantations of both conifers and deciduous
trees, including considerable areas of beech and pollarded
sweet chestnut. All this area (apart from a few small
sections which are retained as special conservation
areas and for which a permit from the Head Forester
is required for entry) is open to the public at any
time.
The
estate, particularly the forested areas, is a haven
for many birds. Buzzards frequent the northern part
of the forest and can frequently be seen soaring overhead,
whilst Little Owl, Tawny Owl and Barn Owl hunt throughout
the area. All the common birds are to be found there
and are joined during the summer by many migrants
including Cuckoo, Nightingale and the occasional Nightjar
as well as the warblers, Spotted Flycatcher etc.,
whilst several House Martin pairs nest under the eaves
of the house. Many others are seen on passage during
the migration periods. Redwing, Fieldfare and Siskin
can be seen and heard during the winter months, whilst
Hawfinch and Crossbill are found occasionally.
Fallow
and Roe Deer are common throughout the estate and
cause considerable damage to young unprotected trees.
There are several Badger sets and Fox dens whilst
a few Hare remain in the area. Rabbits and smaller
mammals are common, whilst Grey Squirrels have become
a major problem despite the foresters’ efforts
to control them.
The
estate includes an arboretum in which there are several
unusual specimen trees whilst the large woodland areas
include many old trees of which several Oaks and Sweet
Chestnuts are particularly notable. All the common
woodland and pasture flowers are to be found including
several orchid species. The trees and flowers attract
many butterflies during the summer months.
The
whole area is rich in fungi, whilst the area known
as the Sling, close to the village of Rowlands Castle,
is particularly well known for a number of unusual
species.
The
easiest access to the House is via the Westbourne/Forestside
road and along the drive to the Garden Centre, where
the main visitors car park SU759100 is to be found.
Car parks for access to the woodland areas SU754104
are also available along this road or from Rowlands
Castle. Visitors travelling by rail or bus should
use Rowlands Castle where there is easy access to
the Estate, but they must be prepared to walk the
two miles to the House if they wish to visit it.
www.stanstedpark.co.uk
www.statelyhomes.com/areas/details.asp?HID=1662&ID=3061&path=12,21,74,3061
So
easy acess, plenty to see and do, scenic and away
from the beaten track.
Dr
J W (Jim) Berry
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