Whinfell Quarry Garden is a small garden created within a derelict flagstone quarry - Whirlow Quarry. The derelict quarries were turned into a garden in 1895 by Samuel Doncaster (1853-1934) who leased the land from the Fitzwilliam Estate. It became a garden for his house, Whinfell House, built in 1902 (later destroyed by fire in 1971). It houses a collection of unusual trees and shrubs, including Giant Redwood trees, acers, rhododendrons, ponds and waterfalls.
The 'Small Quarry' was designed by the horticulturist and plant collector, Clarence Elliott (1881-1969) in 1912 as a limestone rock garden with a water cascade.
The 'Large Quarry' was designed with a view point from the top down to a series of pools.
On the death of Samuel Doncaster in 1934 Whinfell House was bought by Frederick Neill, the first High Sheriff of Hallamshire, who renovated the gardens.
The garden was gifted to the City of Sheffield in 1968. |