National Trust: Sheffield Park Garden, Sheffield Park, Uckfield

For a relxaing stroll Shefield Park is one of the most beuatiful places to do it. The gardens are very wide spread with plenty of interesting paths leading you round the spectacular lakes and forests. In Autumn it is an absolute playground for photographers who could easily spend a week there without realising!

Tranquil & beautiful. Don’t go without your camera. It does not matter what time of year you visit there is wonderful scope for photographs. There are waterfalls, cascades and four lakes. The house is privately owned, so not included, but still makes a wonderful backdrop as it sits imposingly, looking down over the lakes. If you do a couple of figures of eight over the bridges you should manage to see most of the angles of the lakes but there is much more to see if you take the paths that lead away from the water. Bluebells, Rhododendrons, a National collection of Azaleas, Acers and unusual & beautiful trees.
Although a profusion of colour all year if you are able to visit in October you will see the spectacular autumnal colours that makes this place famous.
Although on a slight slope it is well paved and there is easy access for wheelchairs & mobilitity buggies,which they also hire out but do book in advance.
It is open all year with restricted open days in January & February. Check the website.
Don’t bother parking on the road & walking in as there is more parking than you think, including space for picnics.
They held an amazing Enchanted Garden here at night time in late December when the trees were floodlit, it was truly breath taking. They have stopped it this year, let’s hope they bring it back.
The volunteers here are friendly & helpful. There is quite a large well stocked shop but only a few plants. Don’t worry there is a superb nursery within walking distance (I’ll write a seperate review). The cafe is not part of the National Trust and is almost at the entrance to the car park so it is free entry. The food is very good and they have a varied menu all at reasonable prices.

It is absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful here. You need plenty of time to fully appreciate it i think. I only gave myself a couple of hours the first time i went, and it was definitely not enough. There are plenty of quiet places to sit and relax.
I have never been when it has been really busy. There is so much space i don’t think it could ever seem really crowded, which is nice.

You can’t take a picnic into the park but there is a nice picnic area.

I have been i Autumn, Winter and Summer now, and can’t wait to go in the Spring. Its wonderful to see the changes in the park through the seasons, its always different, everytime you visit.

Gorgeous landscapes and lakes. Every vista is like an impressionist painting, breathtaking swathes of trees including a good number of Sequoias!

Originally landscaped by the famous Capability Brown, the beauty of mother nature is harnessed here in such a classic style that one feels priviliged to be let loose into it.

Standing on the bridge between the top lake and middle lake is my favourite spot and the next time I go it will be armed with a hamper and plenty more time than today!

It costs £7.30 to get in (if you are not a National Trust member when it is free) and it is worth every penny!

I have been here on several occaisions, and at different times of the year.

It is a reasonably large landscaped park by that great garden designer 'Capability’ Brown and, unless it is really busy, it is never crowded.

The scenery and views change from season to season, in fact they change almost weekly. In the spring and summer there are flowers all over the place - particulary noticeable are the rhodadendrons.

I have just visited for the first time in the autumn, and virtually the whole place was green. There was very little in the way of autumnal colours.

They do cater for children, and have a childrens trail and at Easter they hold Easter Egg hunts. This was “fun” this year, as my daughter and I raced around the garden hunting clues in the middle of a blizzard! I think 30 minutes to tour the place is probably some kind of record.

There is a small gift shop at the entrance, and a small tea-room is outside by the car park. The tea room does not belong to the National Trust.

On the way up the drive from the main road, there is a small nursery and vineyard, but I have never been to those.

And it is claimed that the first England v Australia cricket match was held here!