Parham Park
Park & Woodland
Parham House & Gardens is surrounded by some 875 acres of working agricultural and forestry land, and some of this land is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
This includes 300 acres of ancient parkland in which dark fallow deer roam. These deer are the descendants of the original herd, which was first recorded in 1628. The herd today numbers 300 animals. The Parham deer are completely wild and are managed to maintain their distinctive dark brown coats as well as optimal standards of health and welfare.
Veteran Trees
The Park contains many veteran trees, some of which are over 500 years old. An ongoing planting programme is being carried out to ensure a new generation of oaks from acorns collected in the Park each autumn.
Ageing and damaged trees are allowed to decay naturally, providing a vital habitat for insects, fungi and bats. The Parham trees harbour one of the richest densities of lichens in the southeast of England.
St Peter's Church
Southwest of the House is St Peter's Church, Parham. St Peter's is one of the five Wildbrooks Churches and is not in the care of Parham Park Limited.
Members of the public can drive through the Park to attend a service at the church, or to visit the church when it is open. The church is open daily from 9am to 6pm (or dusk in winter).
Recent archaeological investigations indicate that the south wall of the church probably dates from c1150. The north wall, with its thirteenth-century arcades, had a north aisle which was demolished when the church was largely rebuilt in the early 1800s by Sir Cecil Bisshopp, the 8th Baronet (1779 - 1828). There is a working fireplace in the Family Pew, which is always lit on Christmas Day each year.
Services are held at St Peter's on the first Sunday of the month at 9:15am and on the third Sunday of the month at 3pm in the winter and at 6pm in the summer.
For further information please contact warden@parhaminsussex.co.uk, or visit the website below.
Walking, Riding and Cycling
A Public Footpath runs through the Park from Douglas Lodge, off the A283, to West Lodge, on the Rackham Road. Fine views of the House can be seen.
All members of the public are respectfully requested to keep to the Public Footpath at all times. There is no bridleway through the estate, but a limited number of Horse Riding Permits can be obtained from the Parham Estate Office. No cycling is allowed within the Park, and dogs must be kept on a lead so as not to endanger Parham's wildlife.
