Stanmer House

Last updated

Stanmer House in 2018 Stanmer House, from north-east.jpg
Stanmer House in 2018
Stanmer House on an August evening in 2006 Stanmer house.jpg
Stanmer House on an August evening in 2006

Stanmer House is a Grade I listed mansion set in Stanmer Park west of the village of Falmer and north-east of the city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England.

The house stands close to Stanmer village and Church, within Stanmer Park. Constructed by the French architect Nicholas Dubois in 1722 in a Palladian style for the Pelham family, it incorporates the remains of an earlier house, and was again altered in 1860.

The house and park were bought by the local authority in 1947. [1] The building was designated as Grade I listed in 1954; [2] the former stables, built c. 1725 but much altered, are Grade II* listed. [3]

Close to the University of Sussex campus, the house was used as a university administration building for some years in the 1960s while the campus was being built in the eastern portion of the park. After undergoing extensive renovation, it reopened in June 2006 and for use as a restaurant and events venue.

In 2009, the Willkommen Collective started a music festival at Stanmer House. [4] The first event featured performances from The Leisure Society, Alessi's Ark, Peggy Sue and more in Stanmer House and grounds. The second festival took place on 12 September 2010 and was named Foxtrot. The lineup included Laura Marling, Anna Calvi, Francois & the Atlas Mountains and Sons of Noel and Adrian. [5] The third annual festival took place in September 2011 and featured Herman Düne, Sam Amidon, This Is The Kit and more. [6]

Alexander Proud took over the lease of Stanmer House in 2016, renaming the House "Proud Stanmer House". This change would be reversed to the traditional "Stanmer House" following Proud's closure of the business.[ citation needed ]

In January 2020, Proud announced that Stanmer House would close to the public as the company entered liquidation, stating that a rent increase was to blame. However many customers had recently criticised the venue under his company's operation, stating that it was poorly run. [7] [8]

Shortly thereafter, Stanmer House was then bought by large local employer and property owner, KSD Support Services. The new leaseholder, owned by local businessmen Chris Gargan, Peter McDonnell and Mark Ratcliffe, reopened Stanmer House for Easter 2021, firstly as The House Cafe and eventually launching the self-titled Stanmer House in December 2022.

Planning permission to convert the house into a hotel is in place, but KSD is uncertain if it will proceed with this plan. [9]

Stanmer House is currently used as a dual-purpose building, with restaurant and cafe premises on the ground floor, and a number of local businesses occupying offices on the upper floors.

The head chef at Stanmer House as of December 2022 is the locally-renowned Russell Tisbury, the previous operator of the successful Tisbury's Kitchen group of kitchen franchises.

Stanmer House was the location of a Mr. Bean sketch from the first episode in which he runs a Reliant Robin three wheeler off the road on the park drive leading to the house, parks outside it and enters to take an examination in trigonometry but only finds the calculus paper in the envelope (for which he has done no revision) only to find that the trigonometry paper is indeed in the envelope. However, he finds out far too late and so is unable to write anything meaningful in the time remaining.

A later scene sees Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) falling asleep during a sermon at the nearby church (a few tens of metres away) with an indignant and shocked churchgoer, Richard Briars, sat in the pew next to him. Bean ends up dozing off on knees and then head at Briars' feet.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton</span> Seaside resort on the south coast of England

Brighton is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the city of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located 47 mi (76 km) south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. The ancient settlement of "Brighthelmstone" was documented in the Domesday Book (1086). The town's importance grew in the Middle Ages as the Old Town developed, but it languished in the early modern period, affected by foreign attacks, storms, a suffering economy and a declining population. Brighton began to attract more visitors following improved road transport to London and becoming a boarding point for boats travelling to France. The town also developed in popularity as a health resort for sea bathing as a purported cure for illnesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton and Hove</span> City and unitary authority in England

Brighton and Hove is unitary authority with city status in East Sussex, England. There are multiple villages alongside the seaside resorts of Brighton and Hove in the district. It is administered by Brighton and Hove City Council, which is currently under Labour majority control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanmer Park</span> Park northeast of Brighton and Hove, UK

Stanmer Park is a large public park immediately to the west of the University of Sussex, and to the north-east of the city of Brighton in the county of East Sussex, England, UK. It is a Local Nature Reserve 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldean</span> Suburb of Brighton and Hove, England

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanmer</span> Village near Brighton, England

Stanmer is a village on the northern edge of Brighton, in the city of Brighton and Hove, in the ceremonial county of East Sussex, England. It was formerly a civil parish until 1952 when it was split between Brighton and Falmer. In 1951 the parish had a population of 1097.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanmer Church</span> Church

Stanmer Church is a former Anglican church in Stanmer village, on the northeastern edge of the English city of Brighton and Hove. The ancient village stands within Stanmer Park, the former private estate of the Earl of Chichester, which the Brighton Corporation acquired for the benefit of Brighton's citizens after the Second World War. The church and a stately home, Stanmer House, stand outside the village but within the park's boundaries. The church, which was declared redundant in 2008, has been listed at Grade II by English Heritage for its architectural and historical importance.

The Willkommen Collective is a Brighton, England-based community of musicians, promoters and artists. The collective includes the bands Sons of Noel and Adrian, the Leisure Society, Kristin McClement, the Climbers, the Miserable Rich, and Shoreline They also run a record label, Willkommen Records, and put on monthly gigs in Brighton, England. The bands share many members and often work collectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade I listed buildings in Brighton and Hove</span>

There are 24 Grade I listed buildings in the city of Brighton and Hove, England. The city, on the English Channel coast approximately 52 miles (84 km) south of London, was formed as a unitary authority in 1997 by the merger of the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove. Queen Elizabeth II granted city status in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patcham Place</span> Historic site in Brighton and Hove , England

Patcham Place is a mansion in the ancient village of Patcham, now part of the English city of Brighton and Hove. Built in 1558 as part of the Patcham Place estate, it was owned for many years by Anthony Stapley, one of the signatories of King Charles I's death warrant. It was extended and almost completely rebuilt in 1764, with traces of the older buildings remaining behind the Classical façade with its expanses of black glazed mathematical tiles—a feature typical of Brighton buildings of the era. Contemporary uses have included a youth hostel, but the house is currently used as a commercial premises. English Heritage has listed it at Grade II* for its architectural and historical importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade II listed buildings in Brighton and Hove: A–B</span>

As of February 2001, there were 1,124 listed buildings with Grade II status in the English city of Brighton and Hove. The total at 2009 was similar. The city, on the English Channel coast approximately 52 miles (84 km) south of London, was formed as a unitary authority in 1997 by the merger of the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove. Queen Elizabeth II granted city status in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buildings and architecture of Brighton and Hove</span>

Brighton and Hove, a city on the English Channel coast in southeast England, has a large and diverse stock of buildings "unrivalled architecturally" among the country's seaside resorts. The urban area, designated a city in 2000, is made up of the formerly separate towns of Brighton and Hove, nearby villages such as Portslade, Patcham and Rottingdean, and 20th-century estates such as Moulsecoomb and Mile Oak. The conurbation was first united in 1997 as a unitary authority and has a population of about 253,000. About half of the 20,430-acre (8,270 ha) geographical area is classed as built up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade II listed buildings in Brighton and Hove: E–H</span>

As of February 2001, there were 1,124 listed buildings with Grade II status in the English city of Brighton and Hove. The total at 2009 was similar. The city, on the English Channel coast approximately 52 miles (84 km) south of London, was formed as a unitary authority in 1997 by the merger of the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove. Queen Elizabeth II granted city status in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cemeteries and crematoria in Brighton and Hove</span> Review of the topic

The English coastal city of Brighton and Hove, made up of the formerly separate Boroughs of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, has a wide range of cemeteries throughout its urban area. Many were established in the mid-19th century, a time in which the Victorian "cult of death" encouraged extravagant, expensive memorials set in carefully cultivated landscapes which were even recommended as tourist attractions. Some of the largest, such as the Extra Mural Cemetery and the Brighton and Preston Cemetery, were set in particularly impressive natural landscapes. Brighton and Hove City Council, the local authority responsible for public services in the city, manages seven cemeteries, one of which also has the city's main crematorium. An eighth cemetery and a second crematorium are owned by a private company. Many cemeteries are full and no longer accept new burials. The council maintains administrative offices and a mortuary at the Woodvale Cemetery, and employs a coroner and support staff.

"Mr. Bean" is the pilot episode of the British television series Mr. Bean, produced by Tiger Television for Thames Television. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 January 1990 and was watched by 13.45 million viewers during its original transmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Pavilion Tavern</span> Historic site in Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

The Royal Pavilion Tavern, commonly known as the Pavilion Tavern or Pav Tav and since February 2022 as The Fitz Regent, is a pub in the centre of Brighton, part of the English coastal city of Brighton and Hove. Converted from a house into the Royal Pavilion Hotel in the early 19th century, its original role soon changed from a hotel to a pub, in which guise it remained until its closure in September 2019. It reopened under its new name, but still in the ownership of the Mitchells & Butlers chain, on 13 February 2022. The building was also used as a court for several years early in its history, and prominent local architect Amon Henry Wilds was responsible for its redesign as a hotel and inn. English Heritage has listed the building at Grade II for its architectural and historical importance, and it stands within a conservation area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tower House, Brighton</span> Grade II listed building in Brighton, United Kingdom

Tower House is a former private house in the Withdean area of the English coastal city of Brighton and Hove. Built in 1902 for a former jeweller to King Edward VII, it remained in private ownership until it was converted into flats and a daycare centre in 1988. It is one of the few large houses and villas to survive in the high-class Withdean area—many were demolished in favour of blocks of flats after World War II—and it has been described as "Brighton's finest example of a grand Edwardian house". English Heritage has listed the building at Grade II for its architectural and historical importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princes House, Brighton</span> Historic site in Brighton and Hove , United Kingdom

Princes House is an office and residential building in the centre of Brighton, part of the English coastal city of Brighton and Hove. The prominently sited building, an example of Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel's "inimitable response to Modernism", was purpose-built as the headquarters of the Brighton & Sussex Building Society, forerunner of the Alliance & Leicester. The office was later used by Norwich Union, another financial institution, and now houses a restaurant and flats. The steel-framed structure is clad in red bricks with inlaid mosaicwork, forming a carefully detailed façade, and the corner elevation has an arrangement of brickwork and windows which suggests "the pleated folds of a curtain". The building is listed at Grade II for its architectural and historical importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade II listed buildings in Brighton and Hove: S</span>

As of February 2001, there were 1,124 listed buildings with Grade II status in the English city of Brighton and Hove. The total at 2009 was similar. The city, on the English Channel coast approximately 52 miles (84 km) south of London, was formed as a unitary authority in 1997 by the merger of the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove. Queen Elizabeth II granted city status in 2000.

As of February 2001, there were 1,124 listed buildings with Grade II status in the English city of Brighton and Hove. The total at 2009 was similar. The city, on the English Channel coast approximately 52 miles (84 km) south of London, was formed as a unitary authority in 1997 by the merger of the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove. Queen Elizabeth II granted city status in 2000.

References

  1. "Stanmer House built in 1721-30: extract from The Encyclopaedia of Brighton, Timothy Carder, 1990". My Brighton and Hove. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  2. Historic England. "Stanmer House (1380958)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. Historic England. "Former stables of Stanmer House (1380959)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  4. "Willkommen take over Stanmer House". Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  5. "Willkommen Records » the Melting Vinyl and Willkommen Foxtrot at Stanmer House".
  6. "News | Herman Dune, Peggy Sue, Sam Amidon for Willkommen Foxtrot 2011".
  7. Lock, Rose (30 January 2020). "Stanmer House to close as company goes into liquidation". The Argus. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  8. Wadsworth, Jo (7 February 2019). "Stanmer House up for let again". Brighton & Hove News. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  9. Wadsworth, Jo (13 May 2021). "Stanmer House owners outline plans for their 'jewel in the crown'". Brighton & Hove News. Retrieved 20 September 2021.

50°52′09″N0°06′08″W / 50.8693°N 0.1021°W / 50.8693; -0.1021