Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Sheffield Botanical Gardens Slide Show
The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1836 by horticulturist and landscape designer Robert Marnock on the 19 acre site to the west of Sheffield city centre. They are designated by English Heritage as a Grade II site for their historic and architectural interest. A major restoration of the gardens and the pavilions was completed in 2005.
Review
The gardens are a lovely place to visit. Even when busy it is possible to find quiet corners full of interesting planting, with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the scents. Some areas have been left wild, but some have definitely not been weeded. My only quibble was that I could have done with a few more signs telling me about the plants and trees. The squirrels are very friendly but expect the visitors to bring them tucker. The site is a bit hilly but for the most part accessible even to wheelchairs. There is disabled parking on site but everyone else has to shift for themselves. When we visited in summer 2007 a residents only parking scheme was in the process of being implemented in some of the surrounding streets. There's a gift shop and a café with outside seating but the tea was the usual catering crap (gnats' pee as my sister-in-law calls it).
Opening Times
Summer opening Mon - Fri 8am - 7.45pm or dusk, Sat and Sun 10am - 7.45pm or dusk. Winter opening Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm or dusk, Sat and Sun 10am - 4pm or dusk. Pavilions open 11am to 5pm in the summer and 3.30pm in the winter. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Entry is free.
Address:- Clarkhouse Road, Sheffield, S10 2LN. Tel. 44 (0)114 2686001 or 2676496.