Highlights
- The Grade II* listed glass Pavilions, planted with temperate plants
- The Victorian-style Rose Garden
- The Grade II listed Bear Pit and gatehouse
- A fossil tree stump around 310 million years old
- Prairie-style planting designed by Professor James Hitchmough
About Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Sheffield Botanical Gardens opened in 1836 on a sloping site south-west of the city centre. The Scottish landscape gardener Robert Marnock designed the gardens and served as their curator, and winding paths still link the different areas today. The gardens are registered as a Grade II historic park and garden.
The site covers 19 acres and is divided into more than 18 areas themed by geography or botany. It is run by Sheffield City Council with support from the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust and an active Friends group, and has held a Green Flag Award.
What to see
- The Pavilions, a Grade II* listed range of glasshouses with plants from temperate regions around the world.
- The Rose Garden, laid out in a traditional Victorian style.
- The Bear Pit, a rare Grade II listed survival from the early gardens.
- The Evolution garden, home to a fossil tree stump around 310 million years old.
- Mediterranean and Himalayan gardens, and a prairie-style area designed by James Hitchmough of the University of Sheffield.
Planning your visit
The main entrance is on Clarkehouse Road (S10 2LN), with further entrances on Thompson Road (S11 8RB), off Ecclesall Road, and Botanical Road. Regular buses run from the city centre. There is no general parking inside, only Blue Badge spaces at the Thompson Road entrance, and street parking nearby is limited.
There is a café in the former Curator's House and toilets on site. Cycling and ball games are not allowed. The gardens may close occasionally around major events, so check the website before a special trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sheffield Botanical Gardens free?
Yes, the gardens and glass pavilions are free to visit.
Can I bring my dog to Sheffield Botanical Gardens?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be kept on leads.
Is there parking at Sheffield Botanical Gardens?
There is no parking inside the gardens except for Blue Badge holders at the Thompson Road entrance. There is limited parking on Thompson Road and nearby streets, and a privately run car park at Berkeley Precinct opposite.
What time does Sheffield Botanical Gardens close?
In summer, from late March to late October, the gardens close at 7.45pm. In winter they close at 3.50pm. A bell rings ten minutes before closing.