Its status was even confirmed in 2017 when Sheffield was named the UK’s sixth greenest city by mapping company Esri UK – the study found that more than 22 per cent of the local landscape was made up of greenery.
Fifteen of Sheffield’s parks have been deemed to be so well-managed that they have been given Green Flag Awards for 2020/21, some for the fifteenth year running.
The scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is designed to set a benchmark for the UK and the rest of the world.
To win one of the annual awards, parks must meet the highest environmental standards, have exceptional facilities and be excellently maintained.
These are the sites with Green Flag Awards in Sheffield – and they’re all free to visit.
13. Millhouses Park
Millhouses Park, three miles south-west of Sheffield city centre on Abbeydale Road South, has a boating lake, tennis courts, a children's playground and more. Photo: Andrew Roe
14. Wheata Woods
Wheata Woods near Grenoside is hundreds of years old - the Trans Pennine Trail runs through the woods' northern section. Photo: Dean Atkins
15. Cholera Monument Grounds and Clay Wood
The Cholera Monument remembers the 402 victims of a cholera epidemic in 1832. Photo: Chris Etchells
16. Community Awards
In addition to the main prizes, Green Flag Community Awards were also given to Devon Gardens (Friends of Devon Gardens), Grenoside Green (Friends of Grenoside Green), Gleadless Valley Methodist Church Community Garden, Firth Park Community Allotment, Wortley Hall Walled Garden and Norfolk Park Community Garden (all Heeley City Farm). Photo: Steve Ellis