Autumn in the garden at Sheffield Park




Famous for its autumn colour, this is the season the garden was planted for. Arthur Soames, owner during the early 20th century, introduced many of the species which create this spectacle including Nyssa, Acer and Taxodiums. The reflections in the lakes add to the splendour and provide the perfect photograph. Please note that Walk Wood will be closed from Saturday 7 November.
The garden is a horticultural work of art, formed through centuries of landscape design, with influences of ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Four lakes form the heart of the garden, with paths circulating through the glades and wooded areas surrounding them. Each owner has left their impression, which can still be seen today in the layout of the lakes, the construction of Pulham Falls, the planting of Palm Walk and the many different tree and shrub species from around the world.
- To avoid disappointment please book your visit to Sheffield Park in advance, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. If you do not book we cannot guarantee admission. Every Friday we release new tickets for the following week. Book your Sheffield Park tickets here.
Gardeners tops tips. Must see trees and shrubs this Autumn
Our vast collection of trees and large shrubs are planted to create vistas that enhance the feeling of scale and grandeur of the property, and are recognised as being of international importance for autumn colour; so much so that the garden has received a Grade I listing. Our gardeners and garden volunteers are lucky enough to spend every day surrounded by this natural beauty; so who better to share the parts of the autumn spectacle that they love the most. Here are their must see autumn highlights.
Vivid Autumn leaves
Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura tree) - A deciduous tree from eastern Asia similar to a Judas tree. There is a group of 10 in the garden near Nyssa Grove and Conifer Walk. In late summer to early autumn the foliage turns pale yellow to smoky dark pink with the aroma of burnt sugar or caramel in favourable conditions.
Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair tree) – Fossils of the Maidenhair Tree have been found in coal seams formed 250 million years ago and this ancient primitive is still around today. In autumn the leaves turn to brilliant amber. Look out for them in November.
Colourful seeds

Why do leaves change colour?
Various pigments in the leaves cause the spectacular colours you see around Sheffield Park. Green comes from chlorophyll, needed to convert sunlight into food for the plant. Orange and yellow come from carotenoids which are present in the leaves all year but are normally hidden by chlorophyll. Reds and purples come from anthocyanins which are produced towards the end of summer. The chemical changes affect species in the garden in different ways producing the wide range of colours on display.
Mirror-like Lakes


Our five mirror-like lakes are an iconic and much photographed feature. The hand-dug, clay-lined construction of the top two lakes creates dramatic reflections.
Our five mirror-like lakes are an iconic and much photographed feature. The hand-dug, clay-lined construction of the top two lakes creates dramatic reflections.