The money was raised selling shares, permitting the purchase of 18 acres (73,000 m2) of south-facing farmland from the estate of local snuff manufacturer Joseph Wilson.

The Sheffield Iris of 5 July 1836 describes the gardens thus:[3]The walks assume all the intricacy and mystery of a labyrinthine maze, while the monkey cages, the bear’s den, the eagles’ habitation, water-works &c. give a variety and effect to the whole, calculated to interest the visitor for hours together.12,000 people visited the Gardens on their opening in the summer of 1836.

Though the Town Trust are still the owners, Sheffield Corporation signed a 99-year lease on 18 December 1951, thereby taking over management.

[5] The most notable feature of the gardens are the Grade II* listed glass pavilions by Benjamin Broomhead Taylor, restored and reopened in 2003.

In the rose garden is a bronze sculpture "Pan: Spirit of the Wood", a gift in 1934 from Sir Charles Clifford,[6] owner of the Sheffield Telegraph and Star, to the city.