Sheffield Botanical Gardens

A nineteenth century public park and botanical garden. The design competition was won by Robert Marnock in 1834. The pavilions were designed by B B Taylor in 1834. There is a transition from a terrace at the north of the garden, down the slope to a wilder area with a pond. Loudon, in 1839, noted that 'There is a noble broad terrace walk in front of the [conservatory] houses, and another which proceeds from it at right angles down the slope; and it may be useful to those laying out walks on slopes, to state that the inclination of this terrace walk, though at the rate of about five eighths ot an inch to a foot, or about 1 in 20, is quite agreeable to walk on, both up and down, backwards and forwards. In a practical point of view, this fact will be found of considerable importance; for example, in laying out terraces or Italian gardens, or public promenades'. The Heritage Lottery Urban Park Forum awarded the Gardens a £5 million grant and the Gardens has undergone a £6.69m restoration finishing at the end of 2005.

Head Gardener's Comment

The gardens are divided into a series of themed areas. These range from the formal Victorian Garden to the informal woodland area. There is something for everyone and the garden is an oasis just one mile from the city centre.