I sometimes sit with a mug of tea in hand, in front of an open fire with my dog at my feet, thinking of the past while planning for the future.

In a previous life I recall showing a senior manager around the garden and estate I was responsible for; it was a cold, damp day in mid-November. “What do you and your team do in the winter?” he asked. “It must be a very quiet time with lots of sitting around.”

I smiled internally and thought, “How far from the truth – true gardeners do great work in the late autumn and early winter.”

Long and short-term plans are made and carried out at this time of year. Here at Sheffield Park and Garden we have turned our thoughts and actions to some practical hard landscaping tasks. Land drains are being cleared, cleaned and maintained – not the most pleasant of tasks but so important.

Now is also a good time to look at the layout of your pathways. We are designing and constructing new paths and installing steps at Sheffield Park. A new path creates previously unseen vistas, a meandering path that tempts you to a secret, unseen treasure is a delight, and there are many here that do just that. They twist and turn revealing unexpected beauty, glimpses of lakes or full views of mass planting for stem, flower or leaf effect. Others take you past majestic veteran trees.

Talking about displays of flowers, bark, berries and foliage, what a delight it is to walk into Oak Hall and see the Christmas preparations my colleagues have been planning. They have created a warm and welcoming venue for you to enjoy during the festive period.

Come on one of our Advent Ambles and see the beauty of Sheffield Park in winter, before indulging in some warming treats in our cafe or maybe an uplifting singalong with one of our visiting choirs. It’s all going on at Sheffield Park.

  • Sheffield Park and Garden, Sheffield Park, East Sussex, TN22 3QX, Tel: 01825 790231, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffieldpark
  • Gardens, restaurant, shop and parkland open every day (except December 25)