When you think of the northern city of Sheffield, its peaceful and relaxing garden's probably aren't the first things that spring to mind.
The steel city is actually estimated to contain more than 4.5 million trees, giving it more trees per person than any other city in Europe! With over 250 public parks and 52 square miles of national park, Sheffield remains one of the greenest cities in the country, making it a haven for those wanting to escape from the bustling city into somewhere more green and calm.
Three of the most popular and picturesque gardens in the Sheffield are the Botanical Gardens, Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens. They're all free to enter and they draw in the crowds year round.
If you're local to Sheffield or you're heading there for a city break, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the Botanical Gardens, Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens, as they're well worth a visit while you're there.
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Sheffield's Botanical Gardens were opened in 1836 and now cover 19 acres. The site is located near to the Broomhall area of the city, close to the popular Ecclesall Road which is bustling with busy shops, cafes and restaurants.
The Gardens are listed by English Heritage as a Grade II site, and inside the Glass Pavilions, visitors will find a wide collection of different plant species from around the world.
Outdoors, you'll find 18 different garden areas with sweeping lawns lined with magnificent trees with plenty of benches to sit and take it all in.
Opening times: Winter: 8.00am-4.00pm (Weekdays), 10.00am–4.00pm (Weekends) & Bank Holidays. Summer: 8.00am-dusk/7.45pm (Weekdays), 10.00am-dusk/7.45pm (Weekends and Bank Holidays). Glass Pavilions: 11.00am–3.30pm every day.
Sheffield Winter Gardens
Right in the heart of the city centre, you'll find Sheffield's Winter Gardens, the largest urban glasshouse anywhere in Europe. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on May 22, 2003.
Filled with more than 2,500 plants from around the world, the building itself is 70 metres long and 22 metres high.
As well as the plants and the impressive building, there are also shops and cafes to visit. The Winter Gardens also provide access to the Millennium Galleries, which is often home to a really good exhibition.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 8am to 8pm. Sunday: 10am to 5pm. Bank Holidays: 10am to 5pm
Sheffield Peace Gardens
Close to the Winter Gardens in the Peace Gardens. And what the Peace Gardens lack in plants and lawns, it more than makes up for with impressive fountains and calming sounds. The large cascading fountains are a nod to Sheffield's flowing molten steel history which made the city famous, and the water of Sheffield's rivers, the Sheaf, River Don, River Rivelin, River Loxley and Porter Brook.
It's certainly one of the best spots in the city centre to enjoy a relaxing drink outside in a cafe or have a picnic by a fountain. Sheffield's gothic town hall overlooks the more contemporary style of the Peace Gardens, so it's a brilliant place to admire the contrasting architecture the UK's fourth largest city has to offer.
The original plans for the garden were first laid out in 1938, but due to the First World War, work didn't start until 1997 and didn't complete until 1998.