The Sheffield Botanical Gardens, located a short distance from the city center, are a green oasis of about 7.7 hectares (19 acres), opened in 1836 based on a design by the landscape architect Robert Marnock. Open to the public since 1898, they offer over 18 different botanical and landscape themed areas inspired by various natural environments from around the world, featuring more than 5,500 plant species, including the national collections of Weigela, Diervilla, and Sarcococca.

The architectural centerpiece is a series of three glass pavilions, built in Victorian style following the model of Paxton, now restored and open to visitors with settings that house plants from temperate zones. The outdoor scenery includes vintage roses, meadows, evolving gardens, seasonal gardens, Mediterranean, Asian, and prairie gardens, all connected by winding and scenic paths.

Among the most beloved attractions stands out the Bear Pit, a restored moat with a steel sculpture of a life-size bear, a rare example of its kind still present in England. There are also artistic installations, a fossilized tree over 300 million years old, educational areas like the Dorothy Fox Centre, and the interactive "Riddle Trail" with sculptures and poetic riddles.