Description: The name Peace Gardens dates back to the end of the First World War, when the picturesque area in the center of Sheffield was created to mark the end of that epic conflict. Because of this, the name is massively symbolic as thousands of men from Sheffield were killed between 1914 and 1918. However, in recent years, it has also grown to be somewhat ironic. The reason for this is quite simple. On a pleasant afternoon in Sheffield, the last thing you are likely to encounter at the gardens is Peace - they have grown to be one of the busiest and liveliest spots in the city.
The term 'Garden' is actually a little misleading. The Peace Gardens are not what you would normally define as a typical 'garden'. Rather, they are an open area of ground overlooked by Sheffield Town Hall, and dominated by a large array of fountains and several small terraces for seating. On a warm summer's afternoon, the whole area is packed with families. The fountains are built into ground, so it is possible to walk straight into them. They operate on a timed circuit, so they burst into action every few minutes with choreographed displays. As a consequence there always children running amongst the jets to play and cool off. The terraces overlook the fountains, so you often find parents sat there chatting and watching the kids.
For families, the Peace Gardens offer a great break from the drudgery of an afternoon's shopping. For those without families, they are still worth a visit. The fountains produce a very nice display that takes up a very pleasant five minutes or so. It is particularly eye-catching on a sunny day when the sun and water combine to create a fantastic display of rainbows. The gardens also offer a great view of the wonderfully ornate Town Hall that overlooks them. You can even catch a glimpse of the freshly constructed Sheffield Eye, the giant ferris wheel that overlooks the center of the city. And, you can also see the Winter Gardens, a wonderful combination of rich wood and glass that houses a small array of tropical plants, trees and ferns.
The Peace Gardens are easy to enjoy from the inside as they offer great views of the city center, a nice place to relax and somewhere for the kids to play. However, enjoying them from the outside is also very pleasant as well. There are several bars and cafes ringing the garden with outdoor seating that offer the chance to enjoy a drink and a very pleasant view. Cafe Rouge has its own terrace that looks out across the Gardens and Ha Ha bar has outdoor tables for those who fancy something a little stronger than coffee.
The Peace Gardens are located in the very center of Sheffield at the junction of Fargate and the Moor. It is very easy to find and also very easy to get to. Several buses stop right across the street and the Supertram has stops close to Fargate and the Cathedral, both of which are less than 500km away.
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