FOREST & PARKLAND
Stansted Forest today is a remnant of the most westerly part of the ancient forest of Arundel and was originally home to a hunting lodge built for Roger de Montgomery, first Earl of Arundel during the 11th Century. The estate has been owned by many a proprietor with a variety of different homes having been built, redesigned and rebuilt over its rich history. To learn more about Stansted House and it's history why not come and visit us!
The woodlands on the estate now total 1177 acres split into two major blocks with smaller woods scattered around the park and the 83 acres of Lordington Copse which is separated from the main part of the estate. The forest is actively managed under a long term management plan approved by the Forestry Commission which ensures work is sympathetic to the landscape and environmentally sustainable alongside timber production.
The parkland is managed under Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Virtually all of the woodland is within the Historic Parks boundary and is part of the designed landscape.
Old oaks retained amongst productive conifer plantations
Stansted House itself and many of our estate buildings are heated with a state of the art bio-fuel system burning woodchip produced from the estate’s woodlands creating a truly sustainable green energy system.
Stansted Park also markets a full range of wood product. Quality hardwood and softwood saw-logs are sold to commercial sawmills with a proportion converted to sawn products through the estate’s own mill. A full range of cleft and round chestnut products are produced, predominantly cleft fencing stakes and rails.
High quality Douglas fir timber mixed with beech
There is an approximate three way split between conifer, broadleaf and coppice woodland, the last type including 270 acres of sweet chestnut coppice. The woodlands are very varied, often within individual compartments and this is being further enhanced with some early experiments at converting suitable areas to Continuous Cover Forestry where group or single tree felling is preferred to major clear-cutting and re-stocking is mostly achieved using natural seeding with some additional planting of desired species.
The main broadleaved species are pedunculate oak, beech, sweet chestnut, ash, sycamore and birch with smaller numbers of field maple, whitebeam, rowan, aspen, and cherry. The main conifer species are Douglas fir, Japanese larch and Scots pine with smaller volumes of Norway spruce, western red cedar and Corsican pine. Large yews are scattered throughout the majority of the woods and especially along the escarpment.
Over 80% of timber used in this country is imported and the UK is second in the world after China for timber and wood product importation. It is essential that we continue to plant productive species and when used in conjunction with wide rides and glades, broadleaved edges and multiple species planting create not only productive but beautiful landscapes rich in wildlife.
The Foundation have formalised permitted access tracks and paths throughout the forest over the past twenty years giving you over 20 miles of stunning pathways to meander along. We welcome upwards of 100,000 visitors to the forest every year!
We love seeing the forest enjoyed and part of our goal is to continue to educate and inform our visitors about sustainable woodland management. You'll see notes and information boards around the forest. There are signposted conservation areas and limited access areas which can vary across the seasons, please respect these as it is crucial for your safety and the management of the forest.
With an increasing number of dogwalkers to the forest we have seen new issues arise with the regular disturbance of ground nesting birds and problems for the deer. Please continue to bring your dogs but do keep them under control to ensure the enjoyment of all the other resident wildlife!
With such incredible flora and fauna the forest is not only a popular destination for recreation but also for wildlife study.
WILDLIFE
The woodlands are rich in wildlife and with a wealth of veteran trees scattered throughout, deadwood habitat is a major feature and supports many specialist insects such as the tanner beetle and a host of fungi which includes several red data book species one of which, Phylotopsis nidulans is only found in a few other sites nationally.
Plant-life is diverse and abundant with six species of orchid that occur in the woodlands out of twelve found across the estate. Moths and butterflies are well represented with the scarce mervielle du jour and purple emperor being notable species. Nightjars breed when suitable, large open areas are created by coppicing or felling. There is a breeding population of woodlark and hobby has bred in recent years.
Cavities and dead-wood habitats in an old beech
Wind-snapped beech retained as a habitat
Fallow and roe deer are present in varying numbers across the estate and surrounding countryside and muntjac are being recorded more regularly. Culling of deer on the estate is carried out to seek a balance between a healthy deer herd and the minimum amount of damage to the wildlife habitats, trees and agricultural crops.
Due to the varied woodland with many large seeded, broadleaves the habitat is ideal for grey squirrels and the population can be high in favourable years with associated damage to vulnerable tree species such as oak, beech and maples. Squirrel numbers are controlled on an on-going basis to prevent the destruction of young trees by bark stripping and their effect on woodland birds by the taking of eggs and chicks.
THE PARK
The story of the park begins in the early 1680s, when Lord Scarbrough begun works on landscaping, carving what would become the Main Avenue. By the 1720s, the elegant Shooting Ride and south-west vista were added, forming the striking patte d’oie—or “goosefoot”—design that radiates from the heart of the estate with the Mansion at the centre.
As you explore, you’re walking through layers of history. Between 1766 and 1777, Lord Halifax reimagined the park on a grand scale, extending tree-lined avenues right up to the house. In 1781, the renowned landscape designer Capability Brown was invited to transform the grounds further. While not all of his ideas were fully realised, his influence helped shape the naturalistic beauty you see today.
The park continued to evolve into the 19th century under Lewis Way, who replanted avenues and restored large areas of woodland and parkland. Like many historic landscapes, it has faced challenges—disease, changing land use, and severe storms in the late 20th century all left their mark.
Today, the park is once again thriving. Since the 1990s, careful restoration has brought the landscape closer to its historic vision, from re-establishing sweeping grasslands to replanting iconic tree avenues. At the same time, it has become a haven for wildlife. As you wander, you may spot signs of dormice, farmland birds, and even barn owls, which now breed here regularly.
SWEET CHESTNUT COPPICE
Each year, 8–10 acres of coppice are cut as part of an ancient, sustainable system that encourages healthy regrowth and supports wildlife.
This work is closely linked to the estate’s eco-friendly approach. A modern biofuel heating system now powers the mansion and surrounding buildings, using locally sourced wood chips as a renewable energy source. It’s a natural cycle—woodland managed with care, providing sustainable fuel that in turn supports the estate.
The sweet chestnut harvested here is as versatile as it is sustainable. Whether you’re planning a garden project—like pergolas or fruit frames—or looking for reliable fuel for an enclosed stove, it’s a practical and environmentally conscious choice.
Interested in bringing a piece of Stansted Forest into your own home or garden? To purchase chestnut products, get in touch today
PLANT A TREE
Stansted Park Forestry Team are currently undertaking the enormous task of replanting thousands of trees lost to Ash Dieback disease. If you would like to help restore the forest to it's former state you can help through the Tree Fund Project