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Testimonials from a survey of 100 visitors Summer 2005

“An oasis in the busy Hillsborough area”

“It is a lovely place to visit and a treasure in the middle of Hillsborough”

“Nice safe area for children peaceful”

“Calm, peaceful, tranquil area that is perfect to take a break”

“A nice peaceful area, with somewhere to get a cuppa! Some nice plants & flowers”

“Very nice, relaxing, friendly, nice plants and water fountain, very soothing”

“If you want peace and relaxation this is the place to come, and you can get a cup of tea or coffee and a bun”

“A Haven of tranquillity in which to escape from the Hustle and bustle of Hillsborough you can even have a drink”

“It’s a gorgeous space in the city. Somewhere to sit and relax, have a drink and enjoy the plants. I am always recommending it to my friends”

“It’s like a secret garden”

“A lovely quiet place to visit”

“It’s a lovely, quiet place to visit, sit and have a cuppa and relax in the tranquillity”

“It is a lovely place very peaceful”

“It is a peaceful and beautiful and everyone can contribute” “Quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle”

“A well kept secret, friendly staff and a lovely spot to relax in”

“An oasis of nature in the middle of an urban sprawl! Hillsborough’s best asset”

Quiet peaceful and good if the kids to run around”

“A piece of tranquillity in the middle of the city where you can relax and enjoy the birds singing and admire the flowers in all the seasons”

“It’s lovely, well established, friendly helpful staff, full of birds their song, full of wildlife, good cup of tea or coffee”

“A quiet place where children can play”

“Lovely place to exercise children in a nice environment, nice picnic area”

“Nice Floral displays, with seating area, clean, nice meeting place”

“Good fun for the children, places to sit and chat”

(Names have been omitted as the respondents haven’t been asked their permission to use them in this website)

Websites that have mentioned the Garden

From 5Alive July 2007

Hillsborough Walled Garden is one of the area’s hidden gems. The garden, in Hillsborough Park, is open to the public and hosts a variety of activities from music events to plays. Volunteers and school visits are welcome and two new greenhouses are being built to expand the variety of flowers on show. There will be opportunities to help with potting and learning about different types of plants.

The garden was managed by Hillsborough Development Trust until 2005, when it came under the management of Sheffield City Council.

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Garden Questionnaire 2007

The questionnaire was conducted between July & August in the walled garden and elicited 141 responses 107 of whom were regular visitors and 33 who were visiting for the first time, one respondent didn’t mention if they were a regular visitor or whether this was their first time.

Fig 1. Regular Visitors

Visitor Frequency

No

%

Daily

3

2

Twice weekly

13

9

Weekly

32

23

Monthly

24

17

5 to 10 pa

19

13

Under 5 pa

18

13

Total

107

Overwhelmingly the respondents were regular visitors with a total of 51% visiting at least monthly.

REASONS FOR VISITING

Whilst new visitors were asked the reasons for visiting regular visitors weren’t, so their reasons have to be deduced from their other responses.

Fig 2. New Visitors

Reasons for visiting

no

% new visitors

Event

12

36

Word of mouth

5

15

Advert

4

12

Recently discovered

4

12

Passing by

4

12

Picnic

2

6

Curiosity

2

6

Total

33

Overwhelmingly new visitors came because of an event (36%), 11 for the Easter/Rangers event, 1 for the open day. They did not indicate however how they came to know about the events, probably from regular visitors or through advertising. Other than this of the remaining new visitors 5 (15%) heard of it through word of mouth but did not indicate who they had heard it from, probably from regular visitors. This can be combined with the 4 (12%) that said that they had recently discovered it but did not indicate how and the 2 (6%) who said that they had come for a picnic, presumably brought by someone else. This brings to almost one third those new visitors who came to learn about the garden through indirect means.

Regular visitors

The reasons why regular visitors come to the garden can be defined in at least two different ways i.e. what they enjoy about it and how they make use of it. Most visitors gave several reasons for visiting and enjoying the Garden as follows.

Fig 3. What people enjoy about the garden

Reasons

No

%

Peace and quiet

83

59

Plants and planting

57

40

Water features

24

17

Wildlife

17

12

Colours/scent

17

12

Design

7

5

Seclusion

6

4

Educational value

4

3

Fig 4. How people use the Garden

Uses

no

%

Sitting

75

53

Lunch/picnics

60

43

Children & play

44

31

Exploring

15

11

Relaxation

11

8

Meeting people

4

3

Escape

4

3

Thinking

2

1.5

Many visitors gave several reasons for visiting. It seems clear from this that most visitors come simply to enjoy the garden, whether by just sitting and taking in the peaceful atmosphere or by exploring and enjoying what the Garden offers in terms of planting, scent and layout. Whilst only a few mentioned relaxation, escape or just having the opportunity to think in a quiet environment, the fact that a significant majority mentioned the peace and tranquillity would tend to suggest that this is in contrast with, and an antidote to, the world outside. The Garden provides an opportunity for local people to get away from it all for a moment or two, contributing to the emotional health of the area.

Food and drink was the next most mentioned reason for using the garden. 60 (43%) spoke of bringing lunch or picnics and 41(29%) said that they wanted café facilities. There was however some overlap between the two, bringing the total number giving food and drink as a reason for visiting to 84 (60%).

A large number of visitors came with children 44 (31%) which would tend to imply that they find the garden a safe place for them. A significant number of these 15 (11%) indicated that they would like to have more activities and facilities for children, these included a ‘baby area’, breast feeding facilities, a toddler group, a sand pit and a playground.

DISLIKES AND THINGS WANTING IMPROVEMENT

Fig 5. Dislikes

Item

No

%

No dislikes indicated

110

77

Better maintenance/improved planting

19

13

Toilets

15

10

Dog exclusion

3

2

Unruly children

2

1.5

63 respondents said that there was nothing they disliked about the garden with a further 37 either leaving the question blank or scoring it through. There seems to be only a few people that have any dislikes about the garden and those things that they do dislike about it are mostly those things that would improve their visit as below.

Fig 6. Improvements wanted

Item

No

%

More activities

42

30

Café facilities

41

29

No improvements required

25

17

Facilities/activities for children

15

11

Plant sales

10

7

Improved opening times

10

7

Bins

4

3

Covered/indoor shelter

3

2

The improvements people want were mainly those that would enhance their visitor experience by better use/maintenance of existing facilities and the development of new ones. The most mentioned of these is more activities and café facilities (see above). The activities requested included music, theatre and educational activities. Of those that want activities one third specifically mentioned more activities/facilities for children whilst two thirds weren’t specific. This would tend to suggest that there is a need for a range of activities covering all age groups. Other things mentioned to improve the garden included better advertising, more bird boxes, sculptures, a maze, more water features, a bird bath, information boards about the history of the garden and tactile activities. Two respondents wanted the garden to become bigger! If the lottery bid is successful they will have their wishes fulfilled!

The questionnaire has once again demonstrated just how popular the garden is and how important it is to local people. It seems that few improvements are required to enhance the visitor experience. Quite a few indicated that the thought the place was already perfect or did not indicate the need for any improvements. Those few improvements that are required however are required by a significant majority of visitors. These relate mainly to the provision of café facilities and more activities within the garden.

What Others Think