Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield

The Sheffield Botanical Gardens is a Grade II listed site located off Ecclesall Road in Sheffield. Spanning 19 acres (77,000 square meters), the gardens are home to over 5,000 species of plants and were originally designed by Robert Marnock. They officially opened on June 29, 1836, attracting 12,000 visitors on their first day. To maintain public interest, the gardens hosted various events, including balloon launches, with one notable ascent by Margaret Graham in 1837, during which she parachuted a monkey to the ground from the balloon.

Management of the gardens transitioned to Sheffield's Town Trust in the late 19th century, which abolished the entry fee, making access free. In 1951, Sheffield Corporation took over management under a 99-year lease while ownership remained with the Town Trust.

A prominent feature of the gardens is the Grade II* listed glass pavilions designed by Benjamin Broomhead Taylor, which were restored and reopened in 2003. Additional notable structures include the main gateway, the south entrance lodge, and a bear pit that houses an 8-foot tall steel statue of an American Black Bear named Robert the Bear. The gardens also feature a bronze sculpture titled "Pan: Spirit of the Wood," donated by Sir Charles Clifford in 1934, though the sculptor remains unknown.

The Sheffield Botanical Gardens are also recognized for holding the national collections of the plant genera Sarcococca, Weigela, and Diervilla, highlighting their importance as a site for botanical conservation and education.