Stanmer House is a Grade I listed mansion set in Stanmer Park, close to the village of Stanmer and north-east of the city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England. 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 renovation, it reopened in June 2006 and for use as a restaurant and events venue.[citation needed]
Alexander Proud took over the lease of Stanmer House in 2016, renaming the House "Proud Stanmer House".[7] 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.[8][9]
Shortly thereafter, Stanmer House was bought by local employer and property owner, KSD Support Services. It reopened in 2021, firstly as the House Cafe and eventually as Stanmer House in 2022.
Planning permission to convert the house into a hotel is in place, but KSD is uncertain if it will proceed with this plan.[10]
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.
