Stanmer Park Mountain Bike Trails

Stanmer Park mountain bike trails are in Brighton in East Sussex, situated next to Sussex University on the edge of the city. The park covers 485 hectares of wooded and open land, with a myriad of twisty wooded singletracks, jumps, drops, and roots spread across the network. It is a popular spot for mountain bikers, horse riders, and walkers, and sits within the South Downs National Park. It is next door to the MTB spot of Wild Park.

The Trails

• The trails are not waymarked but there are miles to explore, so try to hook up with a local or just get out and ride.
• The terrain is singletrack through woodland, with rollers, jumps, drops, roots, and tight turns throughout.
• Popular segments and descents include Buzz Lightyear with its tight corners, the steep and rooty Rail the Roots, Simon's Business, Zorro, Witches Table, Stuart's Bits, Tea and Cake, Doctors Orders, and Clara's.

Etiquette

• Ride only on bridleways, restricted byways, and byways. The trails at Stanmer Park are informal and undesignated, so stick to established lines and avoid cutting new paths through the woodland.
• The South Downs National Park asks riders not to cycle on the South Downs Way itself, as the land is rich in ancient burial mounds and sensitive chalk grassland. The park trails are the right place to ride.
• Give way to walkers and horse riders. Slow right down and pass wide, announcing your approach with a bell or a calm shout from a distance.
• In larger groups, split into bunches of three or four to avoid intimidating other users on narrow singletrack.
• The trails can become very muddy in wet conditions. Avoid riding excessively churned lines and consider giving heavily degraded sections a rest after heavy rain.
• Livestock may graze in parts of the park. Keep well clear and dismount if needed.
• Follow the Countryside Code.

Groups

• Brighton MTB Facebook group — the main community group for riders in the area.
• Brighton Excelsior CC run weekly MTB sessions at Stanmer Park through their youth section, meeting on Sundays at 10 am at the southern football pavilion car park.
• Brighton and Hove Girls MTB Network runs regular social rides at Stanmer Park for girls, non-binary, and trans riders aged 12 to 17.
• Marmalade MTB organises guided rides in the area.

Getting There

• Postcode: BN1 9SE. The park can be reached from Ditchling Road and Stony Mere Way off Lewes Road.
• Paid car parking is available in the park. The Lower Lodges and Patchway car parks both have cycle parking stands.
• By bus: the 78 service runs from Brighton city centre into the heart of the park on weekends and bank holidays. The 25 provides a frequent seven-day-a-week service to the park entrance from the city centre and Lewes Road.
• By train: Falmer Station is a short walk from the park via an underpass under the A23, connecting to the Lower Lodges entranceway.

Share

• If you have ridden the mountain bike trails at Stanmer Park, please share your reviews, photos, and videos to this listing.