Celebrating Marnock

Sheffield Botanical Gardens is partnering with the Gardens Trust to celebrate Scottish landscape gardener, horticulturalist and writer Robert Marnock (1800 - 1889).

As well as being designer and curator of botanical gardens in Sheffield and London, Marnock undertook a substantial number of private commissions across the country, plus sites in Italy and Belgium. He had a significant impact on the landscape of Sheffield and elsewhere.

This is an online exhibition about Marnock's life, work and style. 

Here you will find a map showing Marnock sites around the country, copies of botanical illustrations from the magazines he published, and information on everything from the stories behind the plants he chose in the 19th century to Friends groups who are safeguarding his designs today.

Celebratory events took place throughout Summer 2023 at Marnock sites - talks, walks, exhibitions, art sessions, volunteer training, kids’ activities and more. You can see details of some of these activities below.

Even though the events have finished, this website will continue to be updated with news and views on Marnock. Please contact us on: laura.alston@sheffield.gov.uk or 
jill.sinclair@thegardenstrust.org if you have information or images to share about Marnock.

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Project Evaluation

Thanks to everyone who has been involved with Celebrating Marnock. We continue to be keen to receive posts, photographs and other information for the website, but the 2023 events have now concluded and we have conducted a brief evaluation of the project.

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Brent Elliott talk

The recording of a talk by Dr Brent Elliott on ‘Marnock - giant of 19th century gardening’ is available to enjoy on YouTube, thanks to organisers, The Streatham Society.

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Sheffield Exhibition

Sheffield Botanical Gardens has hosted a month-long exhibition of original editions of Marnock’s Floricultural Magazine alongside display boards telling stories from his life and work.

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Events

Here you can review some of the Celebrating Marnock events that took place over the summer of 2023.