Plan your Autumn visit to Sheffield Park and Garden

That really depends on the weather. Autumn colour can start as early as mid-September and last until mid-November. We have a huge variety of native and non-native tree species which all reach their peak at different times, so there will always be something to see throughout the season. The second half of October is often a peak time.

Top tips

• Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram to find out what is looking good in the gardens now.
• Keep an eye on our Gardener Blog where we will share the latest views from the garden.
• Consider visiting out of peak hours (11am - 2pm) or on weekdays when the gardens are quieter.
• School holidays are another busy time. In East Sussex, October half term is Saturday 26 October Sunday 3 November.

• Dogs on a short, fixed lead are welcome in the gardens except for Saturday mornings before 1pm. Reception will be able to provide a fixed lead for your visit if you require one.
• Dogs are welcome on the parkland at any time. We kindly ask that you keep your dog on a lead, apart from in East Park.
• Dogs are welcome in the Garden Room in the Coach House Café.
• Assistance dogs are welcome across the whole property.
  
  Find out more about visiting Sheffield Park and Garden with your dog...

The gardens

• The main figure of eight in the garden is accessible and some of the paths have recently been re-surfaced. There are some slopes and paths made of a non-gravel surface within the gardens which are marked as unsuitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs. These are also marked on the map, available from reception, in darker yellow.
• Mobility scooters are available to book in advance, subject to availability - please call the office on 01825 790231 (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm) well in advance as they are very popular. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow subject to availability - please ask reception on arrival.
• Please note that the parkland and Sheffield Wood are rougher terrain.
• There are benches located at intervals around the garden. These are marked on the map available from reception. Seating is also available in the new Garden for the Future space.

Facilities and further information

• There is an induction loop available in reception, at the shop sales desks and at the cafe servery.
• Assistance dogs are welcome across the whole property.
• Accessible toilets are located adjacent to reception and in our Coach House Cafe.
• The cafe has easy sloped access suitable for wheelchairs. and the shop has step free access from reception.
• Please ask at reception if you would like to borrow one of our free Sensory Backpacks.
• The cafe is a short walk from the gardens down a newly resurfaced path. Please let a member of staff know if you need assistance.
• For those who appreciate quieter surroundings, consider visiting out of peak hours (11am - 2pm) or on weekdays when the gardens are less busy. School holidays are another popular time you may want to avoid where possible. In East Sussex, October half term is Saturday 26 October Sunday 3 November.
  
  Take a look at our full accessibility statement.

Please do ask our staff if you require any further assistance. They will be happy to help.

Sheffield Park and garden is a fantastic place to visit for all ages. Here is the information you need at a glance to help plan your next day out:

Food and facilities

• Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets near reception and the café.
• Lunch is served between 12 noon and 2.30pm with children's lunch boxes, hot meals, snacks, soup, sandwiches, ice cream and cakes on the menu.
• There is plenty of space for pushchairs in the cafe.
• For a picnic, take advantage of one of the benches in the garden or a picnic bench in the parkland (opposite the car park) , or simply pick a spot to put down a blanket wherever you like.
• Sheffield Park and Garden is a breastfeeding friendly venue.
  
  The garden
• The paths in the garden are buggy and wheelchair friendly whatever the weather, but bring your wellies if you want to enjoy a day out in wetter weather.
• We kindly ask that children only climb on the trees in Ringwood Toll on the parkland.
• Bikes and ball games are welcome on the parkland rather than in the garden.
• There are areas of open water around the garden and grounds so close supervision is strongly advised.
• Do ask at reception if you would like to try one of our sensory backpacks, and let us know if there's anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable. 
• Please note that Sheffield Park and Garden are not accepting the ‘Escape into Autumn’ pass.
• Find out more about visiting Sheffield Park and garden with children...

Summer opening hours

• 10am - 5pm Friday 1 September - Sunday 15 September
  
  Early morning opening hours
• 9am - 5pm Monday 16 September - Friday 25 October
• 9am - 4pm Saturday 26 October - Sunday 5 November
  
  Winter opening hours
• 10am - 4pm Monday 11 November onwards
  
  Opening times vary so please check before you travel.

We encourage you to travel by public transport where possible.

By bus

• SATURDAYS and SUNDAYS Check times on the 121 timetable – runs hourly and travels from Lewes via Cooksbridge, Chailey, Newick and Bluebell Railway Sheffield Park station, Saturdays year round.
• TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS Check times on the 246 CTLA community bus timetable – runs every Tuesday and Thursday from Uckfield Bus Station to the bottom of the main Sheffield Park drive on the A275
• Please check with the relevant bus company before you travel.

By train

• The Bluebell Railway operates steam services between East Grinstead station and Sheffield Park station which is a 15 minute walk across parkland to the garden.
• Mainline (Southern) trains operate between London Bridge and Uckfield Station. 4 min walk (0.2 miles) from station to Uckfield Bus Station from where services to Sheffield Park and Garden operate (not daily).

On foot

• We are accessible on foot from the Bluebell Railway. A footpath is signed up from the A275 to the garden through the parkland, which is a 15 minute walk along rough terrain. We are also adjacent to the Ouse Valley Way public footpath which runs along much of the River Ouse to Lewes. Bring your wellies in later autumn as the ground can be muddy.

Parking

• Due to our Grade I listed status and position on the High Weald, our car park has a limited capacity. Parking, including accessible parking, is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Accessible car park spaces can be found in front of reception and next to the coach park. Please let the car parkers know if you require an accessible space.
• During busy times you may be directed to an overflow parking area on the parkland or Estate Road. If you require assistance getting to and from these parking areas please speak to a member of staff. The parkland offers a grass parking area which may be muddy depending on the weather - we recommend you bring wellies or walking boots.

How to find us

• We are located midway between East Grinstead and Lewes, 5 miles north-west of Uckfield, on the east side of A275 (between A272 and A22). If approaching north-bound from Lewes, we are just past the Bluebell Railway, over the River Ouse bridge on the right. Coming south-bound from the A22 Wych Cross, follow the brown signs for Sheffield Park and the Bluebell Railway.
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• Google Maps - use 'Sheffield Park - main car park' to avoid being directed into the private Sheffield Park house.

• We have limited space for campervans and motorhomes. This can be found by turning left at the grass triangle on the driveway, before reaching the main car park. Please park along the left hand fenceline as this road needs to be accessible at all times.
• If you are travelling by coach, please call the office on 01825 790 231 to check details and to book.
• Motorcycle parking is situated opposite reception and is signposted within the car park.
• Facilities to lock up your bike can be found under the pines near the motorcycle parking.

• The Coach House Café serves cakes, bakes, sandwiches, soup and a hot one-pot lunch, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Check the latest opening times here.
• The Coach House is a short walk from reception down a newly re-paved path. If you require assistance please speak to one of our friendly team members.
• If you're wandering in the garden, why not visit The Shant for a drink and a selection of snacks? Feel free to find a quiet bench or picnic spot within the garden.
• Thank you. It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.
  
  Find out more about eating and drinking at Sheffield Park and Garden...

• Our shop is home to an abundance of beautiful homeware, local specialities, quality accessories and creative gifts for all ages.
• Be sure to also pop along to our plant sales area next to the shop which stocks a wealth of garden essentials and plants.
• Visit our secondhand bookshop in its new home in the Coach House.
• Thank you. It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.
  
  Find out more about shopping at Sheffield Park and Garden...