Summer days out at Nymans

Summer borders at the height of summer

From exhibition in the Gallery and guided tours of the garden to following a summer trail with the family and completing 50 Things, there's lots to keep everyone occupied all summer long.

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Damage caused by the Great Storm of 1987
Damage caused by the Great Storm of 1987
Damage caused by the Great Storm of 1987

Exhibition: A break in the clouds: emerging from the Great Storm

Our new exhibition for summer commemorates thirty years since the Great Storm. On the night of 16th October 1987, a storm ripped through South East England. It devastated the Gardens and put the future of Nymans in jeopardy. The task ahead seemed impossible, but through hard work and dedication, one of our greatest tragedies became our biggest opportunity. Exhibition runs Saturday 1 July until Sunday 19 November: 11am - 4pm.

Our free guided tours are a great way to learn more about the park
Tour guide leading a group through the Park.
Our free guided tours are a great way to learn more about the park

Guided and Audio Tours

If you're looking to find out more about the beautiful gardens and the creative family who lived at Nymans then you could join one of our daily guided walks. We also have a new audio tour available from our Welcome Hub.Tours are available in English or German and are free of charge.  

Enjoying a family picnic
Enjoying a picnic
Enjoying a family picnic

Picnics

The gardens have lawns and secluded grass areas where you can flick out your picnic rug and enjoy a relaxing read or a family picnic. Surround yourself with scented flowers and long grasses and, if you're picnicking in the meadow, the sound of crickets and buzzing of bees. 

Giants of the Garden family trail
Giants of the Garden family trail
Giants of the Garden family trail

'Giants of the garden' family trail

Discover more about the rare and special trees at Nymans with our seasonal family trail. While exploring the gardens look out for the hidden mini wooden trees. Each one tells you something about these giants of the garden which stretch up above the plants and flowers below. The discovery tent in School Copse has some tree themed activities for you to try. The trail runs from Saturday 1 July until Sunday 10 Sept. £1 per trail, normal admission applies.

Our woodland, garden and meadow are teaming with butterflies in summer
Colourfly butterflies can be spotted all over Sheffield Park in summer
Our woodland, garden and meadow are teaming with butterflies in summer

Summer spotting 

With so many things to spot in the garden and woods we've got some seasonal spotter activities for you to enjoy. Be a flower detective or see who can find all the items first on our eye spy challenge. Pick up your activities from the Welcome Hub.

Hunting for bugs at Newark Park
Hunting for bugs at Newark Park
Hunting for bugs at Newark Park

50 Things

Pick up your own scrapbook from the Welcome Hub and have a go at some of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾'. Here are a few you could do while in the gardens this summer:

  • 31. Hunt for bugs - the meadow is a good place to watch and listen to all the insects that are attracted to the grasses and flowers. See if you can spot a grasshopper jumping.
  • 24. Go on a walk barefoot - the soft grass is a good spot for having a try at going on a bare foot walk.
  • 25. Make a grass trumpet .See who can get the best tune from a grass trumpet
  • 18. Create some wild art - the colourful fallen petals are perfect for creating your own natural picture. Collect some you find while in the gardens and use them to make a collage or even a sculpture. You could send us a photo of your artwork on Facebook. More about '50 Things' can he found here.