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The Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Horticultural Society was founded in 1834 by a group of 80 local residents
who were concerned about the lack of public open space in Sheffield. They
purchased land from the Joseph Wilson family (snuff manufacturers) with
£7,500 raised from shares. The site was landscaped after the society ran a
competition, the first prize was won by Robert Marnock who had been the
head gardener at Bretton Hall. His design was in the revolutionary 'Gardenesque'
style, he became the first curator of the gardens for an annual salary of
£100 and he managed them until 1840.
A second competition was held in 1834
to design a glasshouse for the gardens. Even though Robert Marnock won the
£10 first prize his design was considered to be too complicated, so the
entry submitted by Benjamen Broomhead Taylor who was the second prize
winner was constructed. The Paxton Pavilions were opened in 1836 when they
attracted 12,000 visitors in the first four days of opening.
Sheffield Town Trust became the
owners of the gardens in 1898, when entry to the Gardens became free and
they managed them until 1951 when Sheffield Council took them over.
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The Clarkehouse Road
entrance
to the
Botanical Gardens
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Looking through the
main entrance
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The Curator's House
cafe/restaurant
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The Crimea War
Memorial:
The carved seated figure
was originally erected at Moorhead by public
subscription and moved to the Botanical Gardens in
either 1957 or 1961 (dates vary).
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The bottom entrance to
the Botanical Gardens
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Pan, spirit of the woods was cast in London by
Cashmore & Company in the 1930's and donated to Sheffield by Sir
Charles Clifford
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March 2002 before the restoration of the Paxton Pavilions
is completed
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The pavilions in their
heyday
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Restoration of the middle
pavilion: construction of
the roof - March 2002
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The pavilions in
Victorian times
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Looking over the
pavilions towards the
Hallamshire Hospital
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June 2003 after restoration of the pavilions is
completed
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"Step your way to the great stone arch where
the riddle circle ends and starts"
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