Celebrating Marnock
Sheffield Botanical Gardens is partnering with the Gardens Trust to celebrate Scottish landscape gardener, horticulturalist and writer Robert Marnock (1800 - 1889).
As well as being designer and curator of botanical gardens in Sheffield and London, Marnock undertook a substantial number of private commissions across the country, plus sites in Italy and Belgium. He had a significant impact on the landscape of Sheffield and elsewhere.
This is an online exhibition about Marnock's life, work and style.
Here you will find a map showing Marnock sites around the country, copies of botanical illustrations from the magazines he published, and information on everything from the stories behind the plants he chose in the 19th century to Friends groups who are safeguarding his designs today.
Celebratory events took place throughout Summer 2023 at Marnock sites - talks, walks, exhibitions, art sessions, volunteer training, kids’ activities and more. You can see details of some of these activities below.
Even though the events have finished, this website will continue to be updated with news and views on Marnock. Please contact us on: laura.alston@sheffield.gov.uk or
jill.sinclair@thegardenstrust.org if you have information or images to share about Marnock.
Marnock’s Obituary
Read an obituary by Marnock’s protégé and friend William Robinson from The Garden in 1889.
Marnock’s Philanthropy
PhD scholar Francesca Murray shares with us her research into Marnock as a philanthropic gardener.
The Marnoch Family
Local historian Alison McCall has trawled through old records to piece together Robert’s childhood, and taken photographs for us of the various locations associated with his family.
Events
Here you can review some of the Celebrating Marnock events that took place over the summer of 2023.
The Streatham Society will be offering tours of the gardens, developed in part by Marnock, as part of the Lambeth Heritage Festival.
A talk on Marnock by the renowned expert on Victorian gardens, Dr Brent Ellliott, as part of Lambeth Heritage Festival.
The September Open Day at the Inner Temple Gardens on the Thames will include information and displays about Marnock’s work at this historic site. This event is part of the Open House Weekend festival.
As part of Heritage Open Days, the Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group is assembling displays about Robert Marnock alongside other figures whose horticultural work has left a lasting effect on Hastings.
A display by the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust about Marnock’s work at a cluster of three sites (Taplow Court, Hitcham House and Berry Hill) in the south of the historic county. Part of the Heritage Open Day at Taplow Court.
Another chance to catch the exhibition originally organised in June as part of Celebrating Marnock.
In a talk for the Friends of Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Jill Sinclair and Laura Alston will explore Marnock’s life and career, as well as some of the unusual and engaging events that have been happening around the country as part of this summer’s Marnock Celebrations.
This special event at Yorkshire Sculpture Park will explore the life and legacy of the formidable female character of the Bretton Estate, Diana Beaumont. She employed Marnock as foreman of her kitchen garden and then her head gardener, and he will feature in some of the stories.
The Friends of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells are holding an hour long Guided Walk around the Marnock (Grosvenor) side of the park. Afterwards there will be a Victorian inspired buffet and drinks in The Hub.
The Friends of Dunorlan Park are hosting a Marnock-themed walk, to be led by Dr Ian Beavis, Research Curator of the Amelia Scott Arts Centre in Tunbridge Wells. All welcome. No need to book.
Take a walk with Cheryl Bowen, Community Curator around Weston Park one of the first publicly owned parks in Sheffield.
Join Dr Jan Woudstra for this fascinating talk to learn all about Robert Marnock and his brilliant Marnockesque Garden Designs.
As part of our Celebrating Marnock events come and explore the Gardens with our Tour Guides and learn about the global and social contexts which this planting reflected.
As part of the Celebrating Marnock events in June 2023, Sheffield Pollen Market will be holding a Pocket Pollen at Sheffield Botanical Gardens!
Flower arranging workshop: hand tied bouquet with a Victorian twist.
Come & join us to create a beautiful hand-tied bouquet using seasonal flowers and learn more about the Victorian language of flowers.
Rosemary & Thyme invite you to join us to immerse yourself in beautiful blooms and create your own hand-tied bouquet in the sanctuary of the working Sheffield Botanical Gardens & amidst the month of celebrating Victorian garden designer – Robert Marnock.
Flower arranging workshop: hand tied bouquet with a Victorian twist.
Come & join us to create a beautiful hand-tied bouquet using seasonal flowers and learn more about the Victorian language of flowers.
Rosemary & Thyme invite you to join us to immerse yourself in beautiful blooms and create your own hand-tied bouquet in the sanctuary of the working Sheffield Botanical Gardens & amidst the month of celebrating Victorian garden designer – Robert Marnock.
The June Open Day at the Inner Temple Gardens on the Thames will include information and displays about Marnock’s work at this historic site. This event is part of the Open Garden Squares Weekend run by the London Gardens Trust.
Find out how Sheffield’s first public park, collections and museum came to be in this lunchtime talk with Alistair McLean, Curator of Natural Sciences at Weston Park Museum
In this creative session, recreate Marnock's Weston Park design using collage materials at Weston Park Museum.
The current owners of Marnock’s former home in Rusthall have kindly agreed to a visit by the Friends of Dunorlan Park and Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, two Marnock designs in Tunbridge Wells.
The May Open Day at the Inner Temple Gardens on the Thames will include information and displays about Marnock’s work at this historic site.