When I was young and charging about on Ashdown Forest on a pony, the building that is now Ashdown Park Hotel was owned by a bank as a training centre. We never gave it a second thought until it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1993 when there was much excitement. It has since gone on to become one of the most iconic hotel destinations of Sussex and it also happens to be home to the iconic and famous Ashdown Park Hotel windows by Harry Clarke.
Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest is a large area of open heathland in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex. Its importance dates back to the Norman Conquest after which it became a significant hunting ground. But of course, Bronze and Iron Age man and the Romans and Saxons were there long before that. It was also an important area for the iron industry and remains vitally important for wildlife.
In the 17th century (by when it had become known as Lancaster Great Park), the forest was divided up – with some of it apportioned to private interest and some of it retained as common land. The forest was also the subject of a highly contentious legal case in the 19th century concerning the rights of commoners. But by the 1980s, East Sussex County Council had bought the forest from William Sackville, 10th Earl De La Warr.
Ashdown Park
Ashdown Park mansion was built in the early 19th century but was rebuilt later that century by Thomas Charles Thompson MP who also planted and landscaped the grounds. In WWI, the then-owner of the house was killed and Ashdown Park became a hospital and convalescent home for Belgian soldiers.
In 1919, Sister Marie Saints Anges of the Order of the Notre Dame visited Ashdown Park and considered it ideal for a convent. Sister Marie had been born into the wealthy Townley family of Burnley but had entered the Order of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur in Belgium in 1872. The first Sisters of Notre Dame arrived at Ashdown Park in 1920 and it remained a convent until 1971. The main building was subsequently extended and other works included the building of the Church of Our Lady and St Richard in 1924. This was made with marble from Italy, Switzerland and Sweden with the Stations of the Cross sculpted in Bruges.
The Harry Clarke Sanctuary windows
The church has since been deconsecrated and is now the Richard Townley Suite where the hotel hosts weddings. As you enter the building, there is a bar on your right which is always an encouraging sight in a church. But head upstairs for the most incredible series of eight stained glass windows housed beneath a beautiful vaulted timber ceiling. The impact is both instant and awe-inspiring.
Designed in 1925 by Harry Clarke of Dublin, the windows are in the most magnificently vibrant colours and include some 35 different shades of blue. The windows depict scenes from Mary’s life. The windows also include powerful shades of red which are no longer possible to recreate due to the process used.
Harry Clarke worked with Sister Bernard during the design phase which was a challenge in itself as she often sent back designs dissatisfied with the appearance. She wanted the windows and church to be a real showcase and celebration and they certainly are.
The windows were actually made in East Grinstead and because of the subsequent installation of the first floor in the chapel, they can be viewed close up. You don’t need a strong Christian faith to experience and enjoy these incredible works of art.
Clarke is still known and well regarded as an art-nouveau stained glass artist and his designs can be found around the world but he was also a well-known book illustrator and illustrated for Edgar Allan Poe. He died tragically young at 41. There are also a number of other windows including some in Art Deco style which are worthy in their own right but perhaps slightly overshadowed.
And today?
Today, Ashdown Park is a hotel and country club, owned by Elite Hotels. The grounds now consist of approximately 186 acres which are divided into 95 acres of landscaped woodland, 40 acres of grazing land where wild deer roam freely and gardens. They happen to do a fabulous Afternoon Tea and while you’re enjoying your sandwiches and scones, don’t forget to ask the concierge about the Ashdown Park Hotel windows!
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