A garden for the future at Sheffield Park and Garden

Inspired by our horticultural heritage

Sheffield Park and Garden is a horticultural work of art, formed through centuries of visionary landscape design with influences of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton. The bold and innovative planting scheme is predominately the work of Arthur Gilstrap Soames who 100 years ago pushed boundaries with experimental planting, creations of hybrids and exotic species from around the world.

The garden has remained relatively static in terms of new planting since it was acquired by the National Trust in 1954, and in recent years the Sheffield Park and Garden team have recognised an urgent need to address the climate change impact on the plant and tree health.

Significant specimens in the collections are suffering with extremes in temperature and rainfall. In addition, some of the planting is coming to the end of its natural life. A sensitive revitalisation is necessary to build climate resilience in the collection.

With a design of our time by two-time RHS Chelsea award-winner, Joe Perkins, the garden for the future will be a garden within a garden, a space inspired by the heritage arboretum that surrounds it that encourages people to connect with nature and each other in tranquil and beautiful surroundings. 

An enhanced visitor experience

The new garden space is intended to take visitors into another world, distinct, but not apart from the surrounding designed landscape. Inspiration for the design derives from the existing collection, with the exoticism of the many specimen species reflecting Sheffield Park and Garden’s historically progressive and innovative horticultural heritage.
Designed to immerse and inspire visitors, the space will be enjoyable throughout the year, providing a place of pause and reflection in nature beneficial to wellbeing.

Consultation with staff, volunteers, visitors, supporters and our community group friends Headway Sussex and The Grow Project, have shaped this project to help protect and reinvigorate Sheffield Park and Garden now and into the future.

Visitors, members and community groups will be invited to get up close and involved as the project takes shape in the garden. If you would like to get in touch or involved please email us at sheffieldpark@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Looking to the future

The garden for the future at Sheffield Park and Garden is a celebration and continuation of the legacy of high horticulture, innovation and bold design and will contribute to the important collection we care for, helping ensure it is protected and accessible to all for years to come.

Through this project we want to demonstrate how plants and green spaces can improve people’s quality of life, help tackle environmental challenges and inspire visitors and gardeners to consider both their wellbeing and that of nature when planning for the future.

The project addresses the need for succession planting with increased resilience to climate change and will help inform future garden developments at Sheffield Park and Garden. Importantly, it offers opportunities for continued professional learning for horticultural and operational teams in the National Trust and beyond.

About Joe Perkins Design

An experienced Garden Designer and Landscape Architect, Joe has designed, built and planted gardens for over 20 years in the UK, Southern France, and Spain. Now based in Hove, East Sussex, as Director of Joe Perkins Design he has 12 years of involvement in planning and delivering gardens at RHS shows. He won Gold Medal at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show following on from an unprecedented Gold Medal, Best in Category and Best Construction in 2019.

How to donate

We depend on your support to continue our vital work looking after Sheffield Park and Garden.

Generous funding from The Royal Oak Foundation, the National Trust’s partner in the United States, and a kind gift left in a Will have helped kickstart our fundraising campaign for this project.

We invite you to support Sheffield Park and Garden by making a donation towards the ongoing maintenance of the new structures and planting in this project and any potential further development at Sheffield Park and Garden in the future.

Click here to donate to Sheffield Park and Garden now.