History

Sheffield Botanical Gardens are located one and a half miles to the south-west of the city centre and cover 19 acres [7.7 hectares] on a sloping site. The Gardens are registered by English Heritage as a Grade II site of special historic interest. Winding paths connect over 18 different garden areas based on geographical or botanical themes.

Highlights of the site include the Grade II* listed range of glass Pavilions, the imposing gatehouse entrance, a rare Bear Pit, the modest South Lodge (all three Grade II listed), a Victorian Curator’s House (now a café) and a fossil stump (which is around 310 million years old).

The Gardens provide interest and variety throughout the year, ranging from the traditionally laid out Victorian-style Rose Garden at one end of the scale to the Prairie-style area designed by Professor Hitchmough from the University of Sheffield, at the other.