National Trust - Sheffield Park & Garden — Attraction in Wealden

We came here during their Christmas "The Snowman" walk. The place was packed only 30 minutes after opening. Thankfully we managed to park at the very bottom of the car park.

Due to the amount of visitors, they actually had those with large 4x4s parking on the field opposite. To decide this, an attendant in a yellow vest would tell you to either go into the car park, or turn into the field.

They had some small rides and German food stalls in the middle of the car park. We didn't use these at the time, but the smell of real German Wurst was wafting through the entrance to the park.

Thankfully, we were all members of the National Trust, so we were able to use a quicker side entrance where staff would just scan your card and let you in as the main entrance with the tills can get quite cramped very quickly.

This was very fortunate as the member only entrance was right by the toilets, so we could use the facilities before we began walking around the grounds.

Overall we had a lovely walk around the park. Taking photos of each of the 12 themed Snowman statues and even getting our friends little one to meet the character. (He randomly turned up in one of the new garden areas, and thankfully all the parents formed an orderly queue with no one pushing in).

After this, we all finished up in the cafe with a nice coffee. It looked like we had all missed the Christmas Carol concert event by just one day as they had set up a small stage at the end of the dining area.

It's a great place to visit all year round with ducks you can buy feed for from the gift shop, themed events all the time, and a large make to just sit by and relax or eat a nice packed lunch.

After we finished our walk here, we treated the little one to a trip to the nearby Bluebell Railway which is just...

Felt compelled to write a review, even though I haven't been around the grounds yet, as I was so annoyed by this place.

The sign posting for the café and bookshop are non-existent and the map wasn't clear. We wandered around aimlessly for ages until we found it in the car park outside. Once in, if you want indoor seating (it was cold and damp when we visited) you buy your drinks, etc and then have to walk a long way outside the cafe round to the side of the house to find the indoor seating. Thank goodness it wasn't raining! The building with the seating was probably colder than outside and most unwelcoming with dead flies on the tables (probably explains why everyone else was shivering outside).

The most awful welcome and introduction to a National trust property I've ever experienced. Fortunately I'm a member because if we'd paid £20 each for this start to a visit, I'd have been very angry.

P. S. The toilets at the café weren't working when we visited either. The toilets by reception were filthy, covered in thick dust and grime - awful. It had only just opened too, so no excuse that it was a days grime.

Update: The walk through the woods was really immersive in beautiful bird song. Just like a dawn chorus, but...

Beautiful place to go for a walk. Perfect for famillies and good to go round with a buggy or wheelchair. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare it is usually quite busy and for some reason people forget how to park. I have struggled to get my baby in the car as some inconsiderate person parks so close. Its a shame they have not got baby bays or atleast a safe path to walk up to the park. Highly recommend to go. In autumn when orange colours come out. Lots of lakes to go round. They often have things of for little kids. There is also walks by the car park which I haven't done but look good.

The café is just outside the park and it's very spacious with alot of indoor and outdoor seating. If you go you need to try the brownie it is so gooey and yummy. Lots of lunch options avaliable in the cafe and lots of cake. Ia quite expensive but nice for a treat.

You don't need to be a member to go although it is quite pricey otherwise. It is a beautiful place to come and it doesn't matter if it has rained it will not get boggy as it has concrete paths. If you can go it is much...