A 1791 engraving of the house from "Angus's Views of Seats." By kind permission of a private collection.
The house from an 1835 hand-colored engraving
Garden & Outbuildings: Sheffield Park is mentioned in the "Domesday Book." In August of 1538 Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, entertained Henry VIII here. In the early 18th century the deer park was partially formalized by Lord De La Warr, who planted avenues of trees radiating from the house and cleared areas to establish lawns. In 1796 the Sheffield Estate was sold to John Holroyd, created 1st Lord Sheffield in 1781. By 1885 an arboretum was established, with both exotic and native trees. In 1876 the 3rd Earl of Sheffield laid out a cricket pitch at Sheffield Park. The pitch was used on May 12, 1884 for the first cricket match between England and Australia, which was won by the Australian team by an inning and six runs. During World War II the house and garden became the headquarters for a Canadian armored division and Nissen huts were built in the garden and woods. In 1954 the Sheffield Park Estate was sold by Captain Granville Soames, with the land being divided and split up into multiple smaller parcels. At the time of the 1954 sale the National Trust acquired only the 98-acre garden; however, in the early 21st century the trust was able to acquire 200 acres of the home park and reunite much of the original estate. The Sheffield Park garden is noted for its four lakes, the stream garden, bluebells and daffodils in spring, and for its autumnal color trees, including many black tupelos. It is home to the National Collection of Ghent Azaleas. The house was sold off separately from the garden in the 1954 sale and is now divided into multiple dwellings.
Architect: Lancelot Brown
Date: 18th centuryArchitect: Benjamin Henry Latrobe
Date: Circa 1790Architect: James Wyatt
Date: Circa 1775-77Architect: James Wyatt
Date: Circa 1790John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. IV, 1821.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 635, 1182
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
Title: National Trust Handbook 2002, The
Author: Dittner, Liz (Editor)
Year Published: 2002
Publisher: London: The National Trust
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Softback
Title: Times, The (London newspaper)
Author: NA
Year Published: NA
Reference: Dec 2, 2001, pg. 16
Publisher: London: Times Newspapers Ltd.
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Newspaper
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade I
Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, 16th century. Lieutenant-General John West, 1st Earl De La Warr, early 18th century. John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield, 18th century. Arthur G. Soames, 20th century; Captain Granville Soames, mid-20th century.
Current Ownership Type: Flat Owners Company / Condo Association
Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family
Ownership Details: The house is divided into private residences owned by a condo association. The grounds are owned and maintained by the National Trust. PLEASE NOTE: The contact info listed here is for the grounds only; the house is not open to the public.
House Open to Public: Grounds Only
Phone: 01825-790-231
Fax: 01825-791-264
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Historic Houses Member: No