Tuesday 18 December 2007

Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex


These extensive landscape gardens, designed in the eighteenth century by the aptly-named Capability Brown and now owned by The National Trust, are awash with lakes and ponds. A myriad of pathways wind their way through conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas, crossing small bridges, several of which overlook picturesque waterfalls. Although the Gothic Sheffield Park House isn't open to the public, it provides an eye catching backdrop to the gardens. In winter, when ice spreads across the lakes and the trees and shrubs are dusted with frost, the garden has a serene beauty, yet attracts few visitors. Adult admission is £6.30, while National Trust members get in free. 7/10