Further Afield

Sheffield Winter Garden

The Queen officially opened this landmark building in 2003.  It had cost £7 million and is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK during the last hundred years.

The towering wooden arches are made from Larch, which in time will turn a light silvery grey.  This timber, taken from sustainable forests, was chosen because it requires no preservatives or coatings, thus reducing the need for solvents and chemicals that could kill the plants.

This building is large enough to accommodate some 5,000 domestic greenhouses, with more than 2,000 square metres of glass.  400 tons of topsoil were used to fill the beds, home now to more than 2,000 plants from around the world.

 When the Winter Gardens first opened some 2 years ago the plants were small and  the soil around them was clearly visible.  Now everywhere is full and lush and it has become a delightful area.

For more striking pictures from the Winter Gardens click here
 

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