Ten Foot Pond Regeneration

This project centres on the restoration and future-proofing of the Ten Foot Pond area at Sheffield Park and Garden, a Grade I listed landscape renowned for its lakes, autumn colour, and rich design heritage shaped by 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton.

The project responds directly to the loss of a key landscape feature—a mature Pinus radiata—whose absence has significantly altered the structure, volume, and visual character of the pond’s southern edge.

While the project honours the site’s historic and aesthetic values, its primary ambition is to ensure that this iconic garden can adapt to future climate conditions. The Ten Foot Pond area has experienced increased exposure, soil erosion, and fluctuating moisture levels—all likely to intensify with ongoing climate change. In response, the new scheme introduces planting that is resilient to both drought and seasonal flooding, a dual challenge increasingly common in historic landscapes.

The planting strategy will feature climate-adapted species selected for their ability to tolerate periods of high water followed by extended dry spells. These include robust lakeside plants such as Osmunda ferns and rushes, along with new selections that maintain visual harmony with the wider garden while offering improved ecological performance. Planting at the water’s edge will help stabilise soil, support drainage, and protect exposed roots, particularly those of nearby Metasequoia trees.

In addition to the ecological benefits, the design incorporates accessible, sinuous paths and discreet seating areas that invite visitors to explore the regenerated landscape in new ways, all while preserving the long views and sense of enclosure that define Sheffield Park. Raised soil levels and enhanced ground conditions will support healthy plant growth, and carefully layered planting will restore the lost visual volume with a new, climate-resilient treescape.

By combining historical sensitivity with forward-looking ecological design, the Ten Foot Pond project represents a key step in adapting heritage landscapes to a changing climate, setting an important precedent for the National Trust’s stewardship of Sheffield Park.