Whinfell Quarry Gardens

Garden

Explorer Tom

Whinfell Quarry Gardens hide in old flagstone workings at Whirlow, south-west Sheffield, where someone looked into two stony holes and decided they needed rare trees and waterfalls. The result is a compact, public garden with pools, paths and greenery to make the quarry faces seem almost pleased with themselves. A fine change of career for rock. Steel industrialist Samuel Doncaster began turning the abandoned quarries into gardens around 1898, planting thousands of trees. York nursery James Backhouse and Company shaped paths, rockwork and water features. Plant collector Clarence Elliott later designed the smaller quarry's rock garden. Historic England registers the site as a Grade II garden, while its account distinguishes the public quarry gardens from the former private house grounds nearby. Whinfell House burned down in 1971 and was later demolished; don't go hunting for a mansion behind the rhododendrons. Walk between Big Quarry and Little Quarry to find mature trees, sheltered rock faces and the remains of Elliott's limestone and sandstone work. A waterfall and linked pools were laid out in the earlier garden, and Sheffield's visitor guide points out a sequoia grove and winding Frog Walk. Paths rise sharply, with steps and uneven sections, so the best way to explore is slowly. The historic gardens are maintained with help from the Friends of Whinfell Quarry Gardens. The garden is public and reached from Ecclesall Road South near Whirlow Bridge, Sheffield S11 9QA; a second link crosses Fenney Lane towards Whirlow Brook Park. Buses stop nearby. There are no public toilets in the garden, and slopes limit access. Come for an unusual bit of Sheffield green space and leave with the odd feeling that the quarry won the argument.