Sheffield Peace Gardens is a stunning open space in Sheffield city centre. The civic garden is located in a grand setting in front of the grade one listed town hall.
The Gold Route, Sheffield Peace Gardens © David Millington Photography Ltd
The gardens are built at a sunken level, with the surrounding four and five storey buildings creating a strong sense of enclosure. The space has been designed to be accessible and to promote inclusion. For example, the gardens are connected to the street above via a ramp. Seating, lighting and street furniture have also been integrated into the design, to help promote the year-round use of this vibrant space.
Within the gardens there are wide paths made from natural stone and lined with decorative channels of water. The hard landscape materials used in the garden were chosen to complement the heritage of surrounding buildings. Planting is primarily based on traditional English gardening styles. There are also some contemporary features, so that throughout the year there is a botanically rich mixture.
The gardens were funded by the Lottery Millennium Fund and completed in 1998. They were designed by Sheffield City Council Department of Design and Property.
Architectural style
Exemplar public space
Quirky facts
- The Bochum Bell is located in one of the flower beds at the Sheffield Peace Gardens. It was a gift from Sheffield’s twin city of Bochum in Germany.
- The gardens take their name from Neville Chamberlain’s declaration of ’peace in our time’ and stand on the former site of St Paul’s Square.
Highlights
- spacious public gardens set in a sunken area of 0.67 hectares
- the theme of stone, water and metalwork reflects Sheffield’s industrial past
- the civic gardens are surrounded by offices, shops and cafes
- the gardens are complimented by the nearby Winter Gardens and Millennium Galleries
- the gardens enhance the local city landscape.
Water fountains, Sheffield Peace Gardens © David Millington Photography Ltd
Using Sheffield Peace Gardens as a teaching resource
Sheffield Peace Gardens can be used to promote an understanding of the connection between the built and the natural environment. For example:
- a visit to Sheffield Peace Gardens can support learning about the public realm and urban design
- the large open public space can be used to introduce young people to the use of civic squares
- Sheffield Peace Gardens can be used as an example of the way that local heritage and public spaces are used in city regeneration.
Suggested activities
Key Stage 2 – Geography
Working in small groups, design and draw a civic square for your local area. Make a list of the ways this square could be used so that it becomes a focal point for the community.
Key Stage 3 – Art and Design
Look at a picture of Sheffield Peace Gardens. Imagine you have been asked to design a seating area for children in a public square in the centre of a city. What would this seating area look like? What materials would you use to construct the seating area?
Key Stage 3 – Science
How can open public spaces be designed and managed so that they encourage biodiversity in city areas?
Region
Yorkshire & the Humber
Location
Peace Gardens
Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH
Visit the Sheffield City Council website
Accessibility
Sheffield Peace Gardens is open daily all year round. The gardens are patrolled by City Centre Ambassadors.
Further information
The public space is open to school groups and independent visits by young people and the general public.
