Buxted Park facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | East Sussex |
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| Coordinates | 51°00′18″N 0°05′53″E / 51.005°N 0.098°E |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 83.43 ha (206.2 acres) |
| Notification | 1989 |
Buxted Park is a special place in East Sussex, England. It's a large area of land, about 84.7 hectares (that's like 200 football fields!). This park is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing nature.
The park is near the village of Buxted and the town of Uckfield. It was first set up as a deer park way back in 1199, which makes it very old! Today, the main house in the park is a fancy hotel. Buxted Park is famous for its deer and a big lake with many interesting birds.
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The Grand Buxted Park House
The main house at Buxted Park is a beautiful Georgian building. It was first built in 1725. Imagine how many stories it could tell!
Changes and Famous Visitors
The house was badly damaged by a fire in 1940. An architect named Basil Ionides helped restore it. He added many old features from other historic buildings, making it even more special.
During World War II, a group called the Royal Society of Arts kept their valuable books and records safe at Buxted Park.
In the 1960s, a new part was added to the house, including a swimming pool. The owner at that time, Kenneth Shipman, owned a film studio. Many famous movie stars like Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando, and Dudley Moore visited the house when it became a health spa in 1966.
Who Owned Buxted Park?
The property has had several owners over the years. In 1971, it was sold to Sheik Ziad Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the ruler of Abu Dhabi. Later, in 1987, a union bought the house and turned it into a hotel. Today, it is owned and run by a company called Hand Picked Hotels.
St Margaret's Church
Close to the main house, you'll find St Margaret's Church. This church was built in the 13th century, making it even older than the current mansion!
The Ancient Yew Tree
Inside the church grounds, there's a very old yew tree. People say it was planted when the area around Buxted Park was first created in the late 1100s.
A Village on the Move
St Margaret's Church is the only part of the original village of Buxted that stayed in its place. The rest of the village was moved about a mile away by the owner, Lord Liverpool. He wanted to make the park bigger and more private, so the village wouldn't block the beautiful views from his mansion.
Buxted Park: A Special Scientific Site
Buxted Park was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1989. This means it's a very important place for nature.
Why is it Special?
The park is special because it's an old deer park with many natural grasslands. These grasslands have not been changed by farming, so they are perfect for many different plants and animals.
The park is especially important for tiny creatures called invertebrates. These are animals without backbones, like beetles and flies. Many of these insects live in the marshy areas, along the riverbanks, and in the old trees and dead wood found throughout the park. It's like a giant natural home for them!
