Sheffield Botanical Gardens

The Sheffield Botanical Gardens are Grade II listed gardens in South Yorkshire. They cover 19 acres off Ecclesall Road and contain 5,000 plant species. The site was once 18 acres of south-facing farmland bought in 1834. The society raised £7,500 by selling shares to fund the purchase. Robert Marnock designed the gardens, which opened on 29 June 1836. Visitors on the first day numbered 12,000. The gardens once featured monkey cages, a bear’s den and eagles’ habitation. A bear pit now holds a steel statue of an American Black Bear called Robert the Bear. The Grade II* listed glass pavilions were restored and reopened in 2003. A bronze sculpture of Pan stands in the rose garden, a gift in 1934 from Sir Charles Clifford. The gardens hold national collections of Sarcococca, Weigela and Diervilla. Paths wind through the gardens, leading past the main gateway and south entrance lodge. The pavilions and bear pit remain central features. The rose garden and its sculpture provide a quiet spot. Parts of the HBO miniseries The Regime were filmed here. Visitors can explore the varied plantings and historic structures.