Staunton Country Park and Farm from Hayling Island: Regency follies, farm animals and a winter light trail near Sandy Point

For an easy, low-effort day out from Sandy Point, Staunton Country Park in Havant is one of the closest. It is a Regency landscape park with an ornamental lake, island, follies and woodland walks, and right next to it is Staunton Farm, a family farm with llamas, alpacas, pigs and goats, a huge Victorian glasshouse and an indoor play barn. One folly here even has a Hayling connection: the Shell House, built in 1828, is decorated with shells collected from Hayling Island.

The park sits on Middle Park Way, Havant PO9 5HB. From Wittering Sands, our exclusive-use house at 14 Wittering Road, Hayling Island PO11 9SP, it is only about 9 miles, or roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car, straight up over the Langstone bridge. The farm is open daily through the winter, and from 3 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 the farm also hosts Enlightened, an after-dark Christmas light trail. This guide covers what you will see, opening times and tickets, the Christmas light trail, how it works for children, older relatives and dogs, and how to fit it into a stay.

What is Staunton Country Park?

Staunton Country Park was previously called Leigh Park Gardens. Hampshire County Council, which runs it today, tells the story on its history page. In 1802 William Garrett turned farmland here into a garden, laid out pleasure grounds and built the first glasshouses in the walled garden. In 1820 he sold the estate to Sir George Staunton, a politician and noted orientalist who had worked for the East India Company and travelled widely in Asia. Sir George added the lake and several follies.

Later owners built a Swiss style mansion in the 1860s, and during the Second World War the house was used by the Admiralty Mine Design and Research Department. Portsmouth bought the estate in 1944 to build the new Leigh Park estate, the mansion was demolished in 1959, and the gardens became a country park and took the name Staunton Country Park in 1987. A National Lottery Heritage Fund project restored the landscaped gardens and visitor facilities, completing in December 2021.

The RHS lists it as a partner garden and describes it as a Grade II listed Regency landscape, an Arbnet arboretum with many champion trees, and holder of a National Collection of Lardizabalaceae, a plant family that includes Akebia and Stauntonia.

What will you see in the country park?

• The ornamental lake: walk the path around it and cross the Chinese Bridge to the island.
• The Shell House: a small hexagonal folly built in 1828 from flint and pebbles. BBC Hampshire describes it as based on the design of the Chichester Cross and decorated with shells from Hayling Island. Sir George used it to show off curiosities, and it now holds memorial plaques to his family that you can see through the gates.
• The Beacon: a small domed round temple built from the remains of Purbrook House.
• Storey Gardens: the original walled garden of the Leigh Park estate.
• The Coach House: home to the shop and an interpretation area that tells the history of the park.
• The Regency Tea Rooms: hot drinks, light lunches and cake in the former stables.
• Play area and trails: a children's play area plus walking and cycling trails for all abilities.

A gentle loop of the lake, island and follies is about a mile on well-kept gravel paths, which suits buggies and slower walkers.

What is at Staunton Farm?

Staunton Farm is the paid part of the site, just across the road from the country park. Hampshire County Council describes it as an ornamental farm with pigs, sheep, goats and chickens, plus more unusual animals such as llamas and alpacas. Inside you will also find:

• Animal encounters: daily sessions where children can get closer to the animals, with animal feed sold on the way in.
• The Victorian glasshouse: described by Visit Hampshire as the largest ornamental glasshouse on the south coast, with tropical plants such as coconut palms, giant bamboo and bananas. It is a warm spot on a cold day.
• The walled and sensory gardens, and a small maze.
• George's Play Barn: an indoor play barn with a soft play toddler zone, climbing frame, slides and rope bridges, so the fun keeps going whatever the weather. There is outdoor play equipment too.
• Food and drink: a café, a hidden vintage tearoom serving afternoon tea, and the Staunton Farm Shop.

When is it open?

• Staunton Farm: open daily from 10am, closing at 4pm from 1 November to 31 March (car park closes at 4pm too). Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. No pre-booking is needed; tickets are sold at the visitor centre.
• Staunton Country Park: the parkland is free to enter. The country park car park opens at 8am and closes in the late afternoon in winter, so check the times on the signs when you arrive.

The farm says it is often a little quieter in the afternoon. In winter it gets dark early, so a late morning start works well. Check the Hampshire County Council website before you set off, as times can change.

How much does it cost?

The country park itself is free to enter, but parking in the country park car park is charged, so allow for that. Staunton Farm day tickets, as published by the council, are:

• Adult: £13
• Child (3 to 16): £11
• Over 65s (concession): £12
• Family (2 adults and 2 children): £45
• Under 3s: free

Parking is included with a paid farm ticket. One essential carer goes free with each paying visitor, and Armed Forces ID or Veteran Card holders get 50% off day tickets for their immediate family.

What is the Enlightened Christmas light trail?

Enlightened returns to Staunton Farm from Thursday 3 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027. It is an after-dark outdoor trail of about a mile through the farm, with illuminations, interactive displays and a soundscape, and takes around an hour to walk.

• Times: first entry 4.30pm, then timed slots every 15 minutes.
• Tickets: pre-booked only from the organiser, Enlightened Moments, with off-peak and peak prices. Adults (16 and over) from £13.50, children (3 to 15) from £10, under 3s free but still need a ticket. A booking fee applies.
• Parking: free parking in the Country Park car park, about a five-minute walk from the entrance, with limited premium and Blue Badge parking by the farm.
• Dogs: not permitted on the light trail.
• Good to know: the trail is run by Enlightened Moments, not the farm team, and includes flashing lights and haze effects. Paths can be muddy or slippery, so wear sturdy footwear and wrap up warm.

Because it is only 20 to 30 minutes from the house, it is easy to have an early supper and still be back by bedtime. It pairs well with a Christmas and New Year stay.

Is it good for children?

Very. The farm is designed with young families in mind, the play barn gives a dry option if the weather turns, and the country park has a play area and plenty of room to run. Children must be supervised at all times on the farm, and the farm asks everyone to wash hands after touching animals and to eat only in the designated areas. It also suits half-term breaks; see our October half-term and February half-term guides.

Is it accessible for older relatives?

The country park loop is on well-maintained gravel paths with one gentle hill, and there are public toilets by the tea rooms. The farm has an accessible outdoor play area and the farm team can be contacted about access on 023 9245 3405 before you visit. It is a relaxed, short-distance outing, which makes it a good choice for a milestone birthday weekend with three generations.

Can you bring a dog?

Yes to the park, no to the farm. Staunton Farm does not allow dogs, for the safety of its animals, though assistance dogs are welcome. The council describes Staunton Country Park, just over the road, as a dog walker's paradise. Dogs are welcome in the parkland, but keep them under close control and on a lead where it is busy, and respect the countryside canines code. Dogs are not allowed on the Enlightened light trail. Our dog-friendly Hayling guide has more ideas.

How do you get there from Sandy Point?

• By car: about 9 miles and roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Cross the Langstone bridge, continue through Havant and follow the Petersfield Road (B2149) north to the brown signs for Staunton. Use PO9 5HB for satnav. With a group of up to nine, two cars is the simplest plan.
• By train and bus: Havant station is the nearest railway station, and Stagecoach buses 20 and 21 and First bus 27 stop at the farm entrance. Our getting to Hayling from London guide covers the trains.

What else could you combine it with?

Staunton is close to plenty of other easy outings. Stansted Park is a short drive east, and Emsworth is perfect for a harbourside lunch on the way home. For a bigger walk, head on north into the South Downs. For more animals, try Marwell Zoo, and for castle walls and harbour views, Portchester Castle. Back on the island, the Hayling Billy Trail and our winter walks and birdwatching guide cover walks from the door, and the Around Hayling guide covers beaches, pubs and more. A November weekend is a good time for a quiet visit.

What are the stay details?

Check-in at Wittering Sands is from 4pm and checkout is by 10am. The house sleeps up to nine across four bedrooms and five beds, with 3.5 bathrooms. Children are welcome, and infants under 2 are welcome too, with a travel cot and highchair on request. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the house, kept off the beds and sofas. The house is for the booked guests only and does not allow parties or events. The minimum stay is usually 3 nights, and the booking calendar shows the minimum for your dates.

Rates vary by season and length of stay. The live calendar shows the current figure for your dates; this guide does not indicate availability.

How do you book?

Check the live booking calendar for current dates and pricing. If you want to talk through the group, dogs or travel plans, get in touch.

Opening times, prices and events can change. Check the Hampshire County Council Staunton pages and Enlightened Moments before you travel.