Botanical Gardens

The restored Victorian gardens are a tranquil green oasis to which to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Highlights include the formal borders, the rose garden and the Mediterranean zone, as well as some rather grand glass houses designed by Joseph Paxton. Look out for the semi-hidden bear pit, which was indeed home to a bear in the 19th century, until (according to local legend at least) a young boy fell in and was mauled to death. A rather full events programme includes regular horticultural talks, plants sales, and a summer series of outdoor theatre and concerts.

• outdoors

Address

Clarkehouse Road, S10 2LN

Getting there

Bus: 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88 to Ecclesall Road, and get off by or just before the small Berkeley Centre shopping precinct; you'll find the gardens' entrance on Thompson Road

Hours

Daily 8AM–dusk. Glass pavilion open daily 11AM–3:30PM

Price

Gardens free; some events are priced

Website

sbg.org.uk (opens in a new tab)