Who we are
The Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust (registered charity 1162566, a CIO) exists to improve and refurbish the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, its collections and its buildings for the education and benefit of the inhabitants of Sheffield and its surrounding areas.
It has seven trustees, all of whom are volunteers, who work closely with the Council, the gardeners, Friends of the Botanical Gardens Sheffield (FOBS) and the Sheffield Town Trust to ensure that the gardens remain a jewel in Sheffield’s crown.
The Sheffield Botanical Gardens were opened in 1836 but admission was then limited to shareholders and subscribers.
In 1898 there was a danger that the gardens would be sold to property developers. The Sheffield Town Trust, one of the oldest charities in the UK (established in 1297), stepped in, bought the gardens and introduced free admission. In 1951 the Sheffield Town Trust leased the gardens to the Council which took on the responsibility to maintain them.
1984 saw the creation of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens Sheffield and in 1996 the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust was established as a registered charity to raise funds for the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the gardens and its historic buildings. Since then the Trust has raised over £7 million for the gardens.