Walk and Draw: Stanmer Park Brighton
About this Event
Join me, Ulrike Mieke, Illustrator and avid sketchbooker for a fun day of walking and drawing at Stanmer Park.
We will be starting our walk at Stanmer Park, Lower Lodges car park in Brighton. Where you'll be introduced to different drawing materials and a demostration of drawing exercises to help guide you on your walk. We will then set off on our walk, stopping along the way to draw looping back along the same path after a visit to the village.
Embrace the autumn weather with your sketchbook in hand! Whether you're an experienced artist or just enjoy doodling, this event is for everyone! Meet fellow sketchbook enthusiasts, get inspired and learn how to draw from life. I'll be sharing what materials I use and recommend, how to fill a sketchbook and tips for observational drawing.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to combine light exercise, fresh crisp air and creativity!
Where to meet:
We'll gather at the Lower Lodges West car park, for our introduction, brief chat before we set off on our walk. See below the map information to view the meeting point.
A little about me:
Hi there! My name is Ulrike Mieke, everyone calls me Mieke - I’m a Children's Book Illustrator from South Africa currently living in Ovingdean, Brighton with my husband. I love filling up sketchbooks drawing people and places, capturing moments! Sketchbooks are an incrediby valuable tool in my practice, and I love sharing my knowledge, experience, tips and tricks with fellow creatives. When I'm not drawing - you can find me working on picturebook projects or lecturing part-time at BIMM University, or just having a dig in my garden (village life!) Follow my work @ulrike_mieke.
How to get there:
You can reach Stanmer Park by public transport, bike, on foot or car.
The main access routes to the park are:
- Stony Mere Way off Lewes Road
- Coldean Lane (via the woods and footbridge)
- Ditchling Road (via Upper Lodges Car Park or footpaths from The Downs)
There are footpaths connecting to the South Downs and the University of Sussex and marked trails for walkers and cyclists within the park.
By Bus
Stanmer Park is one of 3 popular countryside destinations within the South Downs National Park you can reach using our ‘Breeze’ buses.
The 78 service goes into the heart of Stanmer Park to and from the city centre every day of the week except Christmas Day. Route 78 to Stanmer Park.
The 79 service to Ditchling Beacon gives access to Stanmer Park from Ditchling Road and the Upper Lodges car park. There's a bus stop on Ditchling Road directly outside. Route 79 to Ditchling Beacon.
The 25 bus provides a frequent 7-days-a-week service linking the city centre and Lewes Road with the Lower Lodges entrance.
The 23 service offers links from Eastern Road and Queens Park.
By train
Falmer Station provides an easy way to access Stanmer Park as well as the University of Sussex and Brighton University’s Falmer campus.
A pathway leads to Stanmer Park from the station’s main entrance by the ticket office. Go via the underpass and follow the path going left after the underpass to reach Stanmer Park’s Lower Lodges entrance.
Bikes
A National Cycle Path runs near the Lower Lodges entrance, linking the city centre to Stanmer Park, Lewes and beyond.
Cycle parking is at the following locations at Stanmer Park:
- Lower Lodges west car park (2 banks of stands, one at each end of the car park)
- Church car park
- Walled Garden/craft museum (2 separate banks of stands near the entrance)
- Patchway car park, upper level
Cycling is only allowed on:
- marked, shared-use pathways
- park roadways
- permissive bridleways
Motorcycles
Free motorcycle parking is provided in a designated space in the Patchway car park, upper level.
Car parking
Parking charges apply in designated, signed car parks throughout Stanmer Park.
Disabled car parking is free in the car parks, if you correctly display your Blue Badge and clock.
Car parking is not allowed on:
- park roadways
- pathways
- pavements
- verges
- grassed areas
Enforcement is in operation.
There are 6 designated car parks:
- Lower Lodges west
- Lower Lodges east
- Church car park
- Chalkhill car park
- Patchway car park
- Upper Lodges (closes to public vehicles and is locked at 5pm daily)
See our car park map for more information on car park locations.
To pay, you can use PaybyPhone.
Using Paypoint
PayPoint allows you to pay for parking with cash or cards at over 150 stores in the city.
For people who want to pay with cash, the nearest retailers displaying the PayPoint logo are:
- ASDA, Unit 1 Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN1 8AS
- Coldean Local Store Ltd, 3a Park Road, Brighton, BN1 9AA
- The Co-operative, Bramer House, Brighton, BN1 9QU
Income from car parking is ringfenced for the management and maintenance of Stanmer Park.
Stanmer Village Parking
Car parking in Stanmer Village is allowed for authorised permit holders and valid Blue Badge holders, as long as you correctly display your permit and Blue Badge.
Charges for car parking at Stanmer Park
Charges vary depending on time and location. A full listing of the charges is below.
PayByPhone services charges
There's a 10p service charge for each transaction.
There are other optional charges for additional message alerts and receipts, both of which cost 10p for each message.
The option for these can be changed in the default settings.
Stanmer Park (Chalk Hill, Church Car Park, Lower Lodges, Upper Lodges)
Chalk Hill, Church Car Park and Lower Lodges are open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm. You can stay for a maximum of 11 hours during the charged for period. There is strictly no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles.
Upper Lodges is open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm only as it closes to public vehicles and is locked at 5pm daily. You can stay for a maximum of 8 hours.
Parking charges from 2 May 2026:
Parking periodChargeUp to 1 hour- £1.50 Up to 2 hours- £2.20 Up to 4 hours-£3.50 Up to 11 hours/up to 8 hours (maximum)-£6.80.
Stanmer Park (Patchway Car Park and overflow):
Monday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm - maximum stay 11 hours during the charged for period, strictly no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles
Parking period Charge Up to 1 hour - £1.70 Up to 2 hours- £3.40Up to 4 hours- £6.60 Up to 11 hours (maximum)- £9.20.
What to bring with:
- Water/Warm drinks and snacks (Hat, rain jacket)
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes. It might be muddy and wet!
- A sketchbook to use on the walk and draw.
- Drawing Materials - can be a pencil, watercolours, paints or ballpoint pen! Anything goes!
Recommended Materials:
Sketchbooks:
Bring your own sketchbook, any size of your choice.
Pencils & Paints
Like I've said - anything goes! So it's quite hard to say what materials are best, therefore I've just recommended a few if you're keen to get going with sketching from life.
- Faber Castell coloured pencils ( You can start by buying some of your favourite colours separately and build up your range in this way)
- Derwent Inktense Pencils ( Lovely saturated colours, great to play around with for watersoluable colours.)
- Watercolour set ( Windsor & Newton are great if you're invested in your art but if you're just starting out, a more cost effective water colour set will do the trick!)
- Tombow Brush pens - they are great for blocking out big areas of colour and to get a paintly effect)
- Reuseable brush pens ( These are great for filling with water, makes it super easy to paint on the go!)
Meet your Me - your guide and sketchbook friend!
Ulrike Mieke
Hi there! My name is Ulrike Mieke, everyone calls me Mieke - I’m a Children's Book Illustrator from South Africa currently living in Ovingdean, Brighton with my husband. I love filling up sketchbooks drawing people and places, capturing moments! When I'm not drawing - you can find me working on picturebook projects or lecturing part-time at BIMM University, or just having a dig in my garden (village life!) Follow my work @ulrike_mieke
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 18.00
