Urban Green Spaces - The Winter Gardens, Sheffield

I have always lived in cities whether it is in the suburbs or right in the centre. It's not that I don't like the countryside as I escape out to it as much as possible. It's just that the rural life isn't for me as I'm a practical soul at heart. Within 15 minutes walk of where I live I can get the children to school, visit the doctor's and dentist's, jump on public transport which runs frequently and with a large shopping centre thrown in with supermarkets, banks and a library I'm sorted.

Despite the large number of studies done on the subject it doesn't take a genius to work out that green spaces are vital for wellbeing for those living in densely populated, built-up environments. Wherever we are there pockets of breathing spaces with trees, plants, flowers and grass all teaming with human, animal and insect life. They could be a private back garden, a large public park or a hidden path leading to woodland. So when I find these spaces I'm going to explore them.

I've been living in Sheffield for 17 years now. Unlike other major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, Sheffield hasn't had the benefit of major regeneration plans that they have enjoyed. It's not to say the city has stood still but in many ways the effects of the loss of the much of steel and mining industries is still being felt. When I first came to Sheffield behind the magnificent Town Hall was an extension known in rather derogative terms as 'The Eggbox'. It was designed to last for 500 years but after just 25 years it was pulled down as part of the Heart of the City project. In its place was built two large glass based buildings. One is the St. Paul's Hotel and the other is The Winter Gardens.

When it was opened to the public in late 2002 it was the largest glasshouse in any European city centre. It measures 70 metres long, 22 metres wide and 22 metres high. One of the failures of the design of the old Town Hall extension was it allowed very little natural light in. Obviously this is not a problem now.

There are two entrances to The Winter Gardens, which by the way is completely free of charge to enter. At the Pinstone Street entrance the plants are grouped by those which are drought-tolerant as this is the sunnier end of the glasshouse. Here you will find cacti, aloe vera plants and palms.

At the northern end there are tree ferns and other shade lovers. Despite the differences in conditions required this is all one large space. The north/south positioning of the The Winter Garden does much of the work itself. The temperature is managed naturally through the opening and closing of roof vents plus through the use of high level fans to circulate the air.

This isn't just about green plants; there is always room for a splash of colour. Throughout the year bedding plants are changed. One of the appeals of The Winter Gardens is that whatever the weather it remains a sanctuary from the outside world. In front of The Winter Gardens is The Peace Gardens which is a favourite for children on hot summer days with its fountains and in recent years the city beach. On a grey, rainy day though much of its appeal is lost.

When I have taken the children into Sheffield I have taken a packed lunch with us just so we can eat it in The Winter Gardens. It has become a popular spot for all manner of people on their lunch breaks. A chat with a friend, the lone coffee drinker, the smart phone swiper and the avid book reader – the city library is located at the back of The Winter Gardens. In April and early May it is now taken over by the BBC as part of its coverage for the World Snooker Championships. In keeping with its original aims there are no tickets required to watch and the free flow of the building is maintained.

Along with the plants there are also sculptures and other art installations. Some are permanent while others have come and gone. The Winter Gardens also provides an entrance to the Millennium Gallery. This is a series of permanent and temporary exhibitions featuring both historical and contemporary art, craft and design collections. Fittingly one of the permanent galleries is The Ruskin Collection based on the original selection collated by the Victorian scholar John Ruskin, which was housed in Sheffield. He originally established the collection in order to inspire the workforce of Sheffield. I'm sure he would have approved of the Winter Gardens.

Where are your favourite urban green spaces? Do you have somewhere in a city to escape to?