Sheffield Park Garden

I live just a mile or so from the internationally renown Sheffield Park Garden and sometimes go there for a stroll in my lunch break. It was designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century, although the deer park itself can be traced back to the Domesday book. The gardens, which are set around four large lakes, were further developed in the 20th Century by Arthur G. Soames. In the spring its famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas but at this time of year its the arboretum and the reflecting lakes that draw the crowds. Its other claim to fame is the recently restored cricket pitch (just behind the bank of trees here) where, in 1884, England played Australia for the first time. The link lives on through the 'Sheffield Shield' the annual first class cricket championship played between each the state sides in Australia.