Discover the Timeless Charm of Sheffield Park & Garden

Nestled in a gentle valley near Uckfield, just five miles east of Haywards Heath, Sheffield Park & Garden is a breathtaking tapestry of history, horticulture, and tranquility. Owned and tended by the National Trust, this sprawling Grade I landscape garden weaves centuries of stories into its lakes, woodlands, and splendid plantings.

For information, opening times, tickets etc please visit the National Trust Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden

A Storied Landscape

• Ancient Origins

The estate traces its roots back to the Domesday Book of 1086, cited as “Shelle” under the possession of William the Conqueror’s half-brother. Through the medieval era, it passed among prominent hands—including Simon de Montfort and Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk—hosting even Henry VIII for a royal hunt

• Transformation in the 18th Century

In 1769, politician John Baker Holroyd (later the 1st Earl of Sheffield) acquired the estate, renamed it Sheffield Park, and embarked on an ambitious redesign. Renowned architect James Wyatt re-envisioned the house in the fashionable Gothic style, while two titans of landscape design—Capability Brown and Humphry Repton—crafted sweeping lawns, woodland walks, and a series of lakes

Historical account of the Sheffield Park Estate circa 1790

Further Enhancements and Victorian Flair

The 3rd Earl of Sheffield in the late 19th century added dramatic elements like a cricket pitch (famously used for a match against an Australian touring side in 1884) and enhanced the water features with a Grand Cascade and the Top Bridge

• The Alluring Visions of Arthur Gilstrap Soames

In 1909 Arthur Gilstrap Soames became the garden’s custodian and infused it with exotic and ambitious plantings inspired by his global travels. This botanical eye candy still captivates visitors today

• From Wartime Troops to National Trust Gem

During WWII, the grounds served as military quarters and HQ for the Royal Canadian Artillery—a storied chapter before the National Trust acquired much of the ornamental gardens in 1954 and expanded them further in 2007

Sheffield Park was once home to an extensive wartime camp. British troops were stationed in the park from 1939, with Canadian troops arriving in large numbers two years later in 1941. A number of these Canadian soldiers were involved in the second wave of the Normandy attacks in 1944.

A Garden for Every Season

Sheffield Park is a living, breathing masterpiece—its beauty evolves with the seasons:

• Spring Sensation Bluebells carpet Walk Wood, while rhododendrons and the celebrated National Collection of Ghent azaleas burst into bloom, casting the gardens in vivid hues.

  
  

• Summer Serenity The four interconnected lakes shimmer under the sun, often graced with water lilies and dancing dragonflies. A floating pontoon (from mid‑June) offers immersive views of these watery blossoms, and seasonal events like art workshops or evening concerts bring the garden’s charm alive.

  
  

• Autumn Blaze A fiery spectacle takes over as trees like Nyssa sylvatica, Amelanchier, and Acer palmatum ignite the landscape with amber, ruby, and gold—truly a blaze of seasonal colour.

  
  

• Winter Enchantment Frost or “Jack Frost” turns the garden into a shimmering wonderland—perfect for reflective winter walks. The garden stays open all year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

  
  
  
  

  

  The Autumn colours at Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex