Sheffield Park Garden

Sheffield Park Garden is an informal landscape garden five miles east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex, England. It was originally laid out in the 18th century by Capability Brown, and further developed in the early 20th century by its then owner, Arthur Gilstrap Soames. It is now owned by the National Trust.

Sheffield Park Garden
For the district of Sheffield, see Sheffield Park (UK Parliament constituency).
Sheffield Park Garden
Sheffield Park Garden (East Sussex)

History

The gardens originally formed part of the estate of the adjacent Sheffield Park House, a gothic country house, which is still in private ownership. It was also firstly owned by the West Family and later by the Soames family until in 1925 the estate was sold by Arthur Granville Soames, who had inherited it from his childless uncle, Arthur Gilstrap Soames.

Panorama looking over ‘10-Foot Pond’ towards Sheffield Park House

Sheffield Park as an estate is mentioned in the Domesday Book. In August 1538, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, entertained Henry VIII here. By 1700, the Deer Park had been partially formalised by Lord De La Warr who planted avenues of trees radiating from the house and cleared areas to establish lawns. In 1769, the estate was sold to aspiring politician John Holroyd. Holroyd did well and supported the slave trade. He was created Baron Sheffield in 1781 when it was called "Sheffield Park".[1] John lived there with his wife Maria and he spent a fortune on his house and estate. James Wyatt remodelled the house in the fashionable Gothic style and Capability Brown was commissioned to landscape the garden.[1] The original four lakes form the centrepiece. Humphry Repton followed Brown in 1789–1790. It is particularly noted for its plantings of trees selected for autumn colour, including many Black Tupelos.

Rhododendron in Sheffield Park Garden

By 1885, an arboretum was being established, consisting of both exotic and native trees. After Arthur Gilstrap Soames purchased the estate in 1910, he continued large-scale planting. During World War II the house and garden became the headquarters for a Canadian armoured division, and Nissen huts were sited in the garden and woods. The estate was split up and sold in lots in 1953. The National Trust purchased approximately 40 ha in 1954, now up to 80 ha with subsequent additions. It is home to the National Collection of Ghent azaleas.

In 1876 the third Earl of Sheffield laid out a cricket pitch. It was used on 12 May 1884 for a cricket match between Lord Sheffield's XI and Australia.[2] The Australian team won by an innings and 6 runs.[3]

The estate was used for exterior shooting in the 1961 film, "The Innocents", where it served as the Gothic "Bly Manor", the setting of the Henry James novella, "Turn of the Screw".

See also

References
  1. "Holroyd, John Baker, first earl of Sheffield (1735–1821), politician". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/13608. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  2. National Trust - Sheffield Park Gardens History Archived 2005-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
  3. http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/2/2791.html
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