Sheffield Park Garden

Sheffield Park Garden lies five miles east of Haywards Heath in East Sussex. It is an informal landscape garden first shaped in the 18th century by Capability Brown. Later, in the early 20th century, Arthur Gilstrap Soames expanded it into a woodland garden. The estate dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 and has been home to notable figures like Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, who hosted Henry VIII here in 1538. The house was remodelled in the Gothic style by James Wyatt, while Capability Brown divided the lake into the Upper and Lower Women’s Way Ponds. The garden is recognised for its autumn colours, particularly from Black Tupelos, and holds the National Collection of Ghent azaleas. In 1961, it served as the filming location for the exterior shots of Gothic Bly Manor in *The Innocents*, based on Henry James’s *The Turn of the Screw*. During the Second World War, thousands of troops were stationed here, including Canadian units who used it as a headquarters. The National Trust acquired parts of the estate in 1954 and expanded its holdings in 2007. Visitors find a series of ponds linked by cascades, framed by mature trees and azalea collections. The garden’s winding paths lead through wooded areas and open lawns, offering views of the Gothic country house nearby. Seasonal changes bring vivid colours, especially in autumn. The estate also includes remnants of its wartime use, such as Nissen huts in the woods. The garden remains a peaceful retreat with a rich history visible in its landscape and plantings.