Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Is it right for my child?

• Bear fans: the Grade II listed Bear Pit sits between the Mediterranean and Himalayan gardens. Real bears once lived there. Since 2005 it has held an 8 foot (2.4 metre) steel bear sculpture by David Mayne.
• Puzzle solvers: the Riddle Trail links artworks with riddles by poet Berlie Doherty. The gardens say you will tread in dinosaur footprints and meet a bear on the way.
• Young explorers: the gardens offer free downloadable activity sheets, including Botanical Bingo for Key Stages 1 and 2.
• Curious minds: the Evolution Garden displays a fossil tree stump that the gardens date to around 310 million years ago.
• Warm-up stop: the Pavilions hold plants from warm temperate areas of the world, including bananas in the East Dome.
• Toddlers: the gardens ask that children are supervised near fountains and ponds. The site is on a slight slope, with steps in some areas.
• Play area: the official pages do not mention a play area. Ball games, skateboarding and cycling are not allowed.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• The gardens’ own page lists winter closing at 3.50pm, and 3.30pm for the Pavilions. The council page differs at Christmas, so check before you travel.
• Listen for the bell, which rings ten minutes before closing. After that the gardens are locked.
• Print the Botanical Bingo sheet or the gardens map at home.
• Plan your parking. There is no parking inside the gardens, apart from Blue Badge spaces off Thompson Road.
• Bring a lead for your dog, and remind children not to climb trees, pick flowers or feed the squirrels.

Prices and tickets

Sheffield Botanical Gardens are free to visit. The council page says so, and Welcome to Sheffield, the city’s tourism board, lists the gardens as free entry.

The Sheffield Town Trust bought the gardens in 1898 and introduced free admission.

Some events and workshops charge a fee. On 12 November 2026, the what’s on page listed events between 17 November and 6 December.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

The gardens say wheelchair users can reach all parts of the gardens, as there is always an alternative wheelchair friendly route. The site is on a slight slope, with steps in some areas. The official pages do not mention pushchairs directly.

The Botanical Road entrance is a turnstile. The official pages do not say whether a pushchair fits through it.

The gardens list toilets next to the Dorothy Fox Education Centre, near the Thompson Road entrance. There are also toilets at Joni café, at the Clarkehouse Road Gatehouse entrance. The official pages do not mention baby changing, a feeding room or toilet opening hours.

Food and drink

Joni at the Botanical Gardens is the café in the gardens. The gardens say it serves speciality tea and coffee, smoothies, and breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, with a covered terrace. You can book a table online.

The café hours differ between official pages, so check before you travel:

• Joni’s own page: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 8pm, Sunday 9am to 8pm.
• The council page: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The official pages do not mention picnic areas. The garden guidelines ban fires, including portable barbecues.

Getting there and parking

The gardens are a mile and a half south west of Sheffield city centre. There are three entrances:

• Main entrance: at the top of the gardens on Clarkehouse Road, S10 2LN.
• Thompson Road: off Ecclesall Road, S11 8RB.
• Botanical Road: a turnstile in the north-west corner, S11 8RP.

Parking: there is limited parking at Thompson Road and very limited parking on some roads off Clarkehouse Road. A privately operated car park sits across from the gardens at Berkeley Precinct, S11 8PN. The official pages give no prices for it.

Blue Badge: parking is at the top of the drive off the Thompson Road entrance.

Buses and trams: the gardens say there are regular buses from the city centre to Clarkehouse Road, and to Ecclesall Road for the Thompson Road entrance. The council says the bus takes about 20 minutes. Its nearest tram stop is University of Sheffield, about a 20 minute walk away.

When to visit

The gardens’ own page lists winter opening from the Monday after the clocks go back in October until the last Saturday in March. In that period it lists the gardens as open 8am to 3.50pm on weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. It lists the Pavilions as open 9am to 3.30pm. The council page differs at Christmas, so check before you travel.

The gardens’ page says the gardens and Pavilions may close occasionally around major events. The gardens suggest checking the events calendar or phoning 0114 250 0500.

Christmas: the gardens’ own page lists only Christmas Day as a closure. The council page instead lists the Glass Pavilions as open 9am to 3.30pm every day. It also lists the café as closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The pages do not match, so check before you travel over the holidays.

Additional needs and disability support

The official pages describe practical access features rather than a dedicated support programme.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sheffield Botanical Gardens free?

Yes. The council says it is free to visit the gardens. Some workshops and events charge a fee.

What time does Sheffield Botanical Gardens close in winter?

The gardens’ own page lists 3.50pm, with the Pavilions closing at 3.30pm. A bell rings ten minutes before closing. The council page differs at Christmas, so check before you travel.

Is Sheffield Botanical Gardens open at Christmas?

The gardens’ own page says the gardens and Pavilions are closed on 25 December. The council page instead lists the Pavilions as open every day, and the café as closed on 25 and 26 December. The pages do not match, so check before you travel.

Can you take a pushchair to Sheffield Botanical Gardens?

The pages do not mention pushchairs directly. They say there is always a wheelchair friendly route around the steps. The Botanical Road entrance is a turnstile.

Is there a playground at Sheffield Botanical Gardens?

The official pages do not mention a play area, and ball games are not allowed. The council says the Bear Pit is much loved by children of all ages.

Can you take a dog to Sheffield Botanical Gardens?

Yes, on a lead. The garden guidelines say dogs must be kept on leads, and Joni’s page says dogs on leads are welcome.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Sheffield Botanical Gardens pages for opening times, how to find us, accessibility, garden etiquette, the Riddle Trail, activities and buildings and features, the Sheffield City Council page, Joni at the Botanical Gardens and the Welcome to Sheffield listing. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.