Sheffield Park and Gardens – The Perfect Way to Spend Autumn Days
We regularly visit Sheffield Park throughout the year being National Trust members, but my favourite time to go is Autumn. Managed by the National Trust, this historic estate is famous for its magnificent gardens, lush lakes, vibrant autumn colours, and a host of activities that make it an ideal spot for all ages.
Sheffield Park is one of those rare places where the beauty of nature is enhanced by a fascinating history, with something new to discover around every corner.
Sheffield Park and Gardens, Sussex
👀 At a Glance. Here are my top tips for visiting Sheffield Park
How to get there:
- 🚗 The best way is to go by car. Enter “Sheffield Park and Garden” into your GPS or use postcode TN22 3QX. Located off the A275, it is approximately 5 miles north of Uckfield. Parking is available on-site for visitors but can get busy.
- 🚌 Buses from Haywards Heath and Lewes provide services close to Sheffield Park. The 246 from Uckfield to Chelwood Gate goes past the Park, running every Tues & Thurs, and the 121 runs from Lewes at the weekend.
- 🚆 Take a train to Haywards Heath station, about 7 miles away. From there, you can take a taxi or a local bus to the park. However, if you really want to turn up in style, get the Bluebell Railway from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park station, which is a 10-minute walk away 🚂
- 🚲 The park is south of National Route 21 from London/East Grinstead and east of National Route 20 from London to Brighton.
Top Tips:
- 🕰️ Sheffield Park can get busy, especially in the peak season, so arriving early helps you beat the crowds and enjoy the gardens in peace. I went on a Tuesday morning in November and it was still extremely busy!
- ☔ On a rainy day, remember to bring waterproofs and sturdy shoes, as some areas can get muddy.
- 📷 There are so many picturesque spots in Sheffield Park, so a camera or smartphone is essential for capturing the beauty around you.
- 📅 Bring a picnic. Sheffield Park has lots of picnic spots where you can enjoy a homemade meal and the cafes can get extremely busy.
- 🚶 There’s a lot to see so allow plenty of time. I was there for 3 hours and probably only covered about 1/3 of the park!
Where to Stay:
Nearby Excursions:
As you pull up to Sheffield Park, the first thing that strikes you is how green and expansive it feels. The air seems fresher, and there’s a real sense of peace and quiet that’s hard to come by in our busy day-to-day lives.
Whether you’re arriving with kids, a group of friends, or just looking for a peaceful solo adventure, Sheffield Park makes a beautiful first impression. The entrance leads you straight into a world of vibrant colours and old-world charm, with towering trees, spacious lawns, and carefully designed paths winding through the gardens.
One of the best parts about visiting Sheffield Park is that you can enjoy it in every season. Each time of year brings its own beauty, but autumn is especially magical. The trees turn shades of red, orange, and gold, reflecting off the lakes and creating postcard-perfect scenes at every turn.
That said, if you visit in spring, you’ll be treated to rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom, while summer brings lush greenery and blooming water lilies. No matter the season, Sheffield Park’s beauty never disappoints.
A Walk Through History
Originally a deer park in the 18th century, it was designed by the famous landscape architect Humphry Repton and Capability Brown, who is also responsible for the garden landscape at Petworth House. Known for his work on several English estates, Brown’s influence is still visible in the carefully crafted lakes and sweeping lawns.
Later, in the early 20th century, the estate was owned by Arthur Gilstrap Soames, who expanded the gardens, adding to the variety of plants and trees.
Today, Sheffield Park is under the care of the National Trust, which has worked tirelessly to preserve its historical charm while making it accessible and enjoyable for modern visitors. Alongside the natural beauty, you’ll see nods to its history in everything from the architecture to the plant species selected by Soames.
This blend of history and nature makes Sheffield Park feel timeless, like stepping into a storybook landscape.
The Four Lakes
Sheffield Park’s most prominent feature is its series of four lakes. These lakes are interconnected and give the park its unique character, with pathways and bridges that lead visitors around the water.
The reflections of the trees and flowers in the lakes create stunning mirror images, making this spot a paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike, especially in Autumn.
Each lake has its own character and charm. After walking through the entrance I always head to the South Garden Walk which takes you around the Ten Foot Pond and down to the First Bridge and Pulham Falls.
Here you can find The Shant, a little coffee shop where you can purchase a takeaway coffee to keep you accompanied whilst you follow the paths further into the park.
The Woodland Walk will take you around the Middle Lake which is often dotted with water lilies in the summer and gets the best view of the wildlife at Sheffield Park, including swans, geese, ducks, dragonflies, sparrowheads and kestrels circling above.
The Upper Woman’s Way Pond lays at the bottom of Middle Lake and is surrounded by a wide range of trees that burst into fiery colours in the Autumn, including Nyssa, Golden Larch, Pond Cypress and my favourite, the fiery red Acer! Sheffield Park and Gardens were planted with Autumn at the forefront, and because of this, it has received a Grade I listing.
The largest pond is the Lower Woman’s Way Pond, which you can see in all its glory from one of my favourite spots at Sheffield Park, the Cascade Bridge. I don’t think anything can beat the sound of a waterfall and many people would probably agree as it gets extremely busy. I went on a cold Tuesday, November morning and had to wait in line to cross the bridge!
Nature Trails and Woodland Walks
For those who love a good walk, Sheffield Park has an array of trails to choose from. Some are shorter and ideal for a relaxed stroll, while others meander through woodlands and open spaces, offering glimpses of wildlife and lesser-known parts of the garden.
The woodland walks are especially enjoyable in the spring and autumn when the trees put on a show of colour. To the left of Middle Lake is where we often head with our kids, through Palm Avenue and ending up at Sheffield Wood which is a fabulous place to explore and let them play in the woods.
They love creating little huts out of fallen branches and it is often where we stop with a picnic whilst we let their imaginations run wild. This part of the park feels wilder, giving you a sense of the natural landscape that once surrounded the estate.
One of the most notable trees in Sheffield Park is the old Giant Redwood which has been in the park for 140 years. We were lucky enough to see it in its full glory before a large part of the tree was destroyed by a lightning strike in Storm Eunice in November 2022. The tree is now cordoned off to allow it to recover and grow new shoots.
The pathways around the lakes are stroller-friendly, making it easy for families with young children. Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely stroll or find a scenic spot for a family picnic, the lakes are the heart of Sheffield Park’s charm, with plenty of benches and places to stop.
A Little Further…
The estate itself covers over 300 acres, with Sheffield Park and Gardens covering 120 acres, which are mainly landscaped. If you fancy going off the beaten track, head for the Estate Walk which can take either 30 mins or an hour and a half, depending on how far you want to walk.
The walk will take you through riverside flood meadows and fields, past Ringwood Toll where you will find a natural play trail and over little bridges on the Hammerdick Stream. Dogs are welcome on this walk, but keep them on a lead as there is livestock in the fields.
If want to take your dogs off the lead, head to East Park Walk at the bottom of Lower Woman’s Way Pond.
Garden for the Future
The National Trust is always working hard behind the scenes to provide nature a home and provide its visitors with immersive experiences. They are currently working with RHS Chelsea Flower Show winner Joe Perkins to create a new garden into a planted oasis for all to enjoy.
It will address the challenges of climate change through science and will include raised flower beds, wood-carved benches and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings, opening in mid-2025.
Picnic Spots and Café Treats
If you didn’t pack a lunch, don’t worry! Sheffield Park has a lovely café which is situated outside of the park itself in the old coach house.
The Coach House Café serves a range of options, including soups, sandwiches, cakes, hot drinks and of course, the all-important National Trust cream tea. In colder months, it’s nice to warm up with a hot chocolate after a brisk walk, while in summer, ice cream from the café makes a great treat.
However, it can get extremely busy as you don’t have to pay to go into the Park to visit the cafe. I wanted to stop off for a quick snack after I’d spent a morning wandering around the gardens, but with the queue out the door, I decided to give it a miss.
I headed to a little van kiosk parked right opposite the entrance for a coffee and shortbread, although it didn’t do hot meals. I would highly recommend packing a picnic when you visit Sheffield Park, especially if you have small kids. There were quite a few parents with irate toddlers who wanted an ice cream, but their mum refused to queue for half an hour to get one!
There are plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy a family picnic. Near the lakes or on the open lawns, you can spread out a blanket, unpack your sandwiches, and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. The park is also dotted with picnic benches if you prefer a table.
Shop
No visit to a National Trust estate is complete without visiting the shop! Sheffield Park has a lovely little shop opposite the reception, where I have purchased many items including Christmas decorations and local Sussex products.
But my favourite has to be the plant shop. Situated outside to the left of reception, you will be able to find many plants that are at Sheffield Park, including baby Acer trees! I never leave empty-handed when I visit, often with a plant or three in tow.
There is also a little book shop located in the Coach House Cafe.
Wildlife Spotting
One of the joys of visiting Sheffield Park is the chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat. The lakes attract various waterfowl, from ducks to swans, and you’ll often see them gliding across the water or foraging along the shore.
Bird watchers can enjoy spotting a range of species, especially in the woodland areas where birds flit between the trees.
For families with young children, wildlife spotting adds an extra element of excitement to the visit. Kids can learn about the different animals and plants, making the trip both educational and fun.
The park even offers occasional wildlife-focused events and guided walks, where visitors can learn more about the local flora and fauna.
Events and Seasonal Highlights
Throughout the year, Sheffield Park hosts a variety of events, adding something special to each season. In the spring, there are flower walks that showcase the vibrant blooms, while autumn brings foraging tours with a professional forager.
We love the seasonal trails and interactive activities that are organized during school holidays, such as Easter egg hunts and Halloween pumpkin trails.
During the Christmas season, Sheffield Park transforms with festive decorations and wintery charm, with 2024 showcasing The Snowman. There will be 12 decorated sculptures to find with seasonal treats like mince pies and spiced drinks in the cafe, making it a lovely place to enjoy the holidays in a natural setting.
These events are always thoughtfully organized, making Sheffield Park a place you can visit again and again, with each season offering something new.
Times and Prices
Depending on when you go, the Park is generally open every day between 0900 and 1600. It is free to National Trust Members, but for non-members –
- Adults: £16.00
- Children: £8.00
- Family of 4: £40.00
You can easily spend a whole day at Sheffield Park and Gardens, just make sure you are wearing comfortable walking shoes! I can see why it is always so busy, it really is a beautiful place to visit, with stunning landscapes and a rich history.
It is the perfect place to escape a busy world and the ever-changing landscape, especially in Autumn, will have you planning your next visit as soon as you leave! So pack a picnic, grab your camera, and set off to discover the wonders of Sheffield Park – you won’t be disappointed!
