Things to do in Meersbrook Park

Take in the historical buildings and explore the walled garden in one of Sheffield’s most beautiful green spaces

The steep green hillsides of Meersbrook Park are perfectly placed to offer some of the most stunning views whilst on your stay in Sheffield. It’s no wonder that the renowned landscape painter JMW Turner was inspired to paint it in the 1790s. Located in the inner-city suburb that gives the park its name, this green oasis is about two miles south of Sheffield city centre and is one of the city’s most iconic spots.

There’s plenty to do and see around the park, but take time to walk to the top of the hill and sit on a bench or the grass and marvel at the panoramic view of the city stretched out before you. And then, once you’ve drunk in the vista, it’s time to explore.

Bishops’ House

Located at the top of Meersbrook Park, it’s immediately apparent why this spot was chosen for a home. Of course, the view would have been very different at the end of the 15th century, when Bishops’ House was built. It’s universally considered to be the finest example of a timber house in Sheffield and one of the city’s oldest buildings. And while it now gazes out across the beautiful park and the urban sprawl of Sheffield city centre, for a lot of its existence, that view would have been nothing but fields. Sheffield City Council took ownership of the house towards the end of the 19th century, and the house was transformed into a museum in the 70s. Visiting the Grade II listed building offers the chance to discover the lives of the various families who lived there over the centuries.

Meersbrook House

This rather grand redbrick house was built in the mid-18th century as a home for Sheffield merchant Benjamin Roebuck, who went on to found the city’s first bank. The house is now the headquarters of the Sheffield Corporation Recreation Department but from 1890 to 1953, it was the home of the Ruskin Collection, a varied assortment of artworks and artefacts assembled by art critic and collector John Ruskin. The collection is now housed in the city’s Millennium Gallery. The collection includes Turner’s painting of the view from the park.

Walled Garden

Hidden away next to Meersbrook House is the walled garden, originally created as a food supply for the residents of the house. These days, it’s the result of an 18-year labour of love by a dedicated team of volunteers that has made it a popular destination for visitors to the park and the site of regular art and food events as well as summer parties, volunteer gardening days and herb sales.

Sports grounds

The park has become a popular spot with sports fans, with tennis courts, football pitches, a cricket wicket, netball, a skateboard bowl, picturesque jogging routes and more in the newly developed Multi Use Gaming Area. Free sports sessions are held in the evenings once a week during term time, with a qualified instructor on hand to help kids try out new sports. There are also summer sports sessions, which provide a relaxed environment for kids to play football, tennis, archery, volleyball and basketball while being helped and guided by instructors and volunteers.

One quite unique sport based in the park is the Caribbean import of road tennis. The Sheffield Road Tennis team are helping to introduce this fun and unusual combination of lawn tennis and table tennis to the city and free sessions happen in Meersbrook Park on a regular basis. For those who want something a little more organised and competitive, several teams operate out of the park, including the Meersbrook Netball Club and the local Bowling Club.