Staunton Country Park

About

Staunton Country Park is a listed Regency landscaped parkland and forest encompassing approximately 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) situated at Leigh Park between Havant and Rowlands Castle in Hampshire, England. Composed of parkland with ornamental lake, walks, woodland and follies and a farm area with animals, walled garden, glasshouses, and maze. While entry to the parkland itself is free there is a cost for entering the farm zone and its attractions.

The whole area has had a long history with evidence of a Roman Road running between Havant and Rowlands Castle, a site of Roman pottery production. During medieval times small villages and hamlets grew up around agricultural practices and the movement of animals to and from the Thicket and Forest of Bere. On early maps the hamlet of West Leigh can be seen to have a farm, large residence, and several houses. This residence was from 1793 inhabited by Samuel Harrison who either enhanced or rebuilt what was already there. Harrison had already created a fenced park and it is this that William Garrett purchased in 1802. He not only extended the existing house in a Regency style but also acquired lands from his neighbours and enhanced...