Illustrated Guide to Sheffield
Pawson & Brailsford - 1862

PLACES OF RECREATION

THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.

These gardens are amongst the most beautiful in the country. They are moreover situated in one of the most charming spots in the immediate vicinity of the town. They occupy about 18 acres of land between Clarkhouse-road and Ecclesall-road. They slope down towards the valley of the Porter, and from them may be seen, on the opposite hill - side, the picturesque grounds and the graceful church of the General Cemetery. The gardens were established by a company in 1836, at a total cost of about Ł18,000. They were at first a failure, and the original proprietors sold their interest in them to a new company for Ł9,000. Since that time the undertaking has, amidst many difficulties, gone on very prosperously. Though the property belongs to a company, it is not at all carried on with a view to profit, but solely that the use of the gardens may be enjoyed by the town. They are admirably managed. There are large and handsome conservatories, spacious gardens tastefully laid out, with beautiful lawns, walks, grottoes, and arbours. During the summer " promenades" are periodically held. Upon these occasions music is provided, and the gardens are numerously attended by the leading inhabitants. Nor are the general public uncared for. Several galas are held in the course of every summer, when the price of admission is fixed at a low rate. Sometimes twenty or thirty thousand people crowd the place on these occasions. Constant access to the gardens is of course only permitted to shareholders and subscribers ; but visitors from other towns can always obtain admission through a shareholder. The gardens are open the whole of every day except Sunday, when they are closed during the morning. Mr. Marshall, solicitor, Chapel-walk, Fargate, is secretary; and Mr. John Ewing, who resides at the gardens, is the curator.

NORFOLK PARK.

These are spacious pleasure grounds constantly open to the public, situated on the estates of the Duke of Norfolk, and which the town owes to the munificence of the grandfather of the present inheritor of the title. The park comprises altogether more than 60 acres. It has been laid out in ornamental walks, carriage drives, &c., and is well planted with shrubs and trees. In the centre there is a large open space covered with grass, which is used for cricket matches, &c. Here also has been held for some years past a poultry show on a large scale. Very beautiful views of the surrounding scenery are to be obtained from various spots in Norfolk Park.

THEATRE ROYAL.

This building is situated at the corner of Arundel-street and Tudorstreet. It belongs to a company of proprietors. It is a spacious edifice and very commodious. It was erected in 1773. In 1855 it was re-opened, after having been entirely rebuilt except the outer walls, at a cost of about Ł3,000. The re-construction of the general edifice was carried out by Messrs. Flockton and Sons, of Sheffield, and that of the stage by Mr. Straughan, of London. When these alterations were adopted, many modern improvements were introduced. Since that time other changes have been made, the result of which is a commodious and elegant building. It is at present under the lesseeship of Mr. Charles Pitt.

CRICKET GROUNDS, &C.

There are two public cricket grounds. One is in Bramall-lane, and was opened in 1855. It cost (without land) nearly Ł3,000. It is commodious and well kept: the entire extent is more than eight acres. The other cricket ground is at Hyde-park. Norfolk-park is also used as a cricket ground. There are three bowling greens kept up by annual subscription, one in Broomgrove-road, another at the Bramall-lane cricket ground, and the third at Pitsmoor. There are three Football Clubs, the Sheffield, the Pitsmoor, and the Hallam. In connection with these there are annual sports and athletic games, which, especially those of the Sheffield Club, are attended by the elite of the town. There is also a Racket Club in Tudor-street.

This out of copyright material has been transcribed by Eric Youle, who has provided the transcription on condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

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