Staunton Country Park
On this walk, children will enjoy the play area, look-out tower, tree sculptures, island and follies.
Lily pads on the lake at Staunton Country Park
The Basics
Time: 25 minutes
Distance: 1.5 km / 1 mile
Pushchair: The paths are suitable for pushchairs.
Terrain: Well maintained gravel paths and one gentle hill climb.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome, but it can be busy so leads are advisable.
Refreshments: The Regency Tea Room in the old stables or plenty of space for picnics.
Toilets: There are public toilets by the tea room.
Public Transport: Stagecoach service 20 & 21 between Havant and Portsmouth and service 27 to Emsworth stop at the park.
Parking: Car park on Petersfield Road, pay on exit, charges apply, 8am-4pm winter, 8am-5pm summer (Postcode: PO9 5HB - W3W: ///torn.engage.extra)
The children’s play area at Staunton Country Park
Staunton Country Park, once known as Leigh Park Gardens, is a popular outdoor space on the edge of Havant. A great mansion once stood on the site and remnants of the estate and its pleasure gardens still remain. You can walk around the ornamental lake enjoying restored bridges and follies, enjoy the walled garden and dine at the tearooms housed in the former stables. Children will enjoy the play area and lookout tower as well as some friendly wood sculptures.
The Route
Exit the car park and turn right, passing the play area to your right. You can turn right at the play area if you want to divert and explore one of the follies.
From the play area, pass the look-out tower and house foundations to your left and head down The Avenue towards the lake.
Follow the path around the the lake in an anti-clockwise direction, taking a diversion to go over the Chinese Bridge and explore the island.
Back on the ‘mainland’, continue around the lake, coming back up the other side, where you will pass the shell folly.
Keep going to the far side of the park and when you almost hit the gates out to the road, turn left and explore the walled Storey Gardens to see the work done by the Right to Work Group. The planted beds are filled with seasonal plants and produce including lavender, sunflowers, apples and pumpkins - much of which is one sale.
Complete the circuit, now walking back in the direction of the lake by passing the tree carvings and then the Regency Tearooms, The Coach House and toilets.
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Did you know?
The pleasure grounds were first laid out in 1802, with an ornamental farm and the first glass houses. The mansion was not built until 1865. During WW2, the mansion was requisitioned by the government. No longer in private hands, the building fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1959. The gardens were given over as a public space after homes for 30, 000 people were built at the neighbouring Leigh Park Estate.
If you liked this walk…
…why not try Royal Victoria Country Park which also has an interesting historical connection, a café and an excellent play area.
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