Winter Garden and Peace Gardens
Located on rolling hills, dissected by river valleys, Sheffield is one of the greenest and most wooded cities in Europe. We proudly boast a huge variety of urban parks, woodlands, countryside, and other green spaces which are extremely popular and attract over 25 million visits each year.
However you do not have to travel out of the city to relax in Sheffield's green spaces. The Winter Garden and Peace Gardens are located in the heart of the city centre, and are only a short walk from the train station or bus interchange.
Winter Garden
Discover a breathtaking new world right in the heart of Sheffield City Centre. The Winter Garden is the largest temperate glasshouse in any European city centre. Inside the striking wooden arches are more than 2,500 exotic plants from around the globe. Some you may recognise, others that you will never have seen before. Discover elegant bamboos from China, towering palms from Central America, and spectacular grass trees from Australia.
For a 360 degree tour of the Winter Garden visit the Spin Sheffield web site.
Shops and Cafes
The Winter Garden houses Zooby's fair trade café and sandwich deli, urban florist, Flowers in the Window, and The Bessemer Gallery contemporary art and craft shop.
Audio Tour - Around the World in 20 mins.
If you are interested in learning more about the Winter Garden you can now take the 'Around the World in 20mins' MP3 tour. MP3 players can be borrowed from CLS Indoor Exotics plant shop for a £5 deposit. Each player has 13 tracks which relate to butterfly marks around the Garden. The tour provides visitors with interesting facts and information about the Garden.
The Winter Garden connects to the Millennium Galleries making it the perfect place to enjoy a pre- or post- exhibition stroll, and the restaurants of the luxury Mercure St. Paul's Hotel and Spa.
This award-winning public square at the centre of the Heart of the City developments are adjacent to the Winter Garden and within easy reach of the Millennium Galleries. Set against the backdrop of the Victorian Town Hall and with spectacular fountains, water features and lawns, the Peace Gardens have created an oasis for visitors.
Historical Markers
As well a great place from which to enjoy Sheffield City Centre, the Peace Gardens are home to a number of historical markers and celebrations of Sheffield's great achievements. Take time to look at: The Standard Measures - an early example of consumer protection; the Goodwin Fountain - a celebration of one of Sheffield's benefactors; the Holberry Cascades - dedicated to the leader of the Sheffield Chartist Movement; the Spanish Civil War Memorial - a tribute to those who gave their lives; the Bochum Bell - a special gift from our twin City.
For a 360 degree tour of the Peace Gardens visit the Spin Sheffield web site.
Short History
The Peace Gardens area was originally the churchyard of St Paul's church, which was built in the 18th century. The church was built to accommodate Sheffield’s increasing population which had outgrown the capacity of the Parish Church (which is now the Anglican Cathedral).
A wealthy local goldsmith called Robert Downs paid for St Paul’s church to be built and work started in 1720. However Robert Downs later had a disagreement with the church authorities and for a short time he allowed Dissenters to worship in the building. This was stopped when the church finally consecrated or blessed in 1740.
By 1938 the Church of England had no further use for St Paul’s and it was demolished to make way for a proposed extension to the Town Hall. Unfortunately, due to the Second World War, the extension was never built and all that remained of the building were the churchyard walls.
The Council created a temporary garden with the remaining walls and named it St Paul’s Gardens. However the name soon changed to the Peace Gardens due to the popular desire for a return to peacetime. The name became formal in 1985.
Go to the Winter Garden and Peace Gardens opening times for more information on facilities in and around the gardens.