Preston Manor near Brighton was once the manor house of what was then the sleepy village of Preston, just outside Brighton. The current building dates back to the early 18th century but there has been an important property here since long before that.
The Stanford family
William Stanford was a farming tenant at Preston who bought the Manor from the Western family (after whom Western Road in Brighton is named) in the late 18th century. He was already considered one of the wealthiest men in the county. He passed the Manor on to his son William in 1841 and when William junior died in in 1853, he passed on a life interest in Preston Manor to his daughter, Ellen, who was just five at the time. Ellen was married to Vere Fane Benett-Stanford from 1867 until his death in 1894 and during their marriage, the family wealth increased. They had one son who sadly became estranged from his mother and on all accounts, was a challenging individual.
In 1897, Ellen married Charles Thomas-Stanford and they lived at Preston Manor until their deaths in 1932. Charles was already wealthy and was also a Justice of the Peace, an MP and Mayor of Brighton. He managed to buy Preston Manor from the trustees and on his death, he left it to the Brighton Corporation.
Preston Manor
In 2025, Preston Manor reopened having been shut for 5 years. It is part of the Brighton and Hove Museums organisation and the Manor and gardens are open to the public. There is an easy to download App that provides a narrative as you explore the house, told from the perspective of both the Thomas Stanfords and the many staff that served them. The narrative guides you through a “day in the life of” experience set in 1912.
Preston Manor is a beautiful example of an elegant Edwardian home, and you can visit the impressive Entrance Hall, the Dining Room where the table is laid for a banquet, the gorgeous Drawing Room and the unique Cleves Room which has gilted leather lined walls and was the scene a seance. Upstairs, you can visit the haunted rooms of the Lady’s Maid as well as the glamorous bedrooms of the Thomas-Stanfords before you head downstairs and dive into the world of the servants.
The library is lined with gorgeous Sussex books and each room tells you a little more of the personalities that lived here and what mattered to them. It has the feel of Downton Abbey but is also accessible for children with the chance for them to get stuck into various activities like boot cleaning in the Boot Room or dressing up in the bedrooms.
Apart from an impressive art collection and some stunning items of furniture, smaller details echo of the era. Newspaper clippings with news of the Titanic going down, a magazine with all the details of the coronation of King George V in 1911, a row of bells in the servants quarters and clothes packed in a trunk speak of the events that would have filled the days and conversations of this home.
The walled garden and pet cemetery
Outside, there is a walled garden with a gated entrance that frames the 14th century church on the other side of the park. The garden is pretty with an ornamental fish pond and walk way and in the corner is the pet cemetery. There are 16 pet graves of pets from the household although many of the inscriptions are now hard to read.
The ghosts of Preston Manor
Ghost stories abound at Preston Manor and ask the staff there, and many of them have a story to tell. A ghostly servant girl, an unmade bed and, of course, the story of the ghostly nun or the White Lady as she is also known. Apparently, she started to appear as long ago as the 16th century and is believed to be a nun who had an inappropriate relationship with a priest and was later buried in unconsecrated grounds. In particular, Ellen’s half sisters attested to seeing the White Lady on a number of occasions.
In 1897, the remains of a female were discovered at Preston Manor, and although the vicar still refused to allow a burial in the church yard, the locals did so in secret and the hauntings thereafter stopped.
Edwardian afternoon tea
Preston Manor now has a tearoom, not least to reflect the great importance tea held for Lady Ellen. It has all the elegance of the rest of the house and opens onto the croquet lawn. It’s run by Café Rust, a Brighton brand which prides itself on local produce and stylish interiors.
Note, there is no parking at Preston Manor and parking in the surrounding area can be tricky. However, it is well served by local buses and trains.
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