Mother Nature takes root in her new home in Sheffield
One of the standout gardens from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 has officially opened in its permanent new home at Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill, creating a lasting green space for the local community
The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: On the Edge, designed by Sarah Eberle for CPRE’s centenary year, won a Gold medal and the coveted Garden of the Year award at RHS Chelsea 2026 before being carefully relocated and reimagined for its new setting.
Officially opened on 7 August 2026, the garden celebrates the importance of “edgelands” – the often-overlooked spaces on the fringes of towns and cities that help connect people with nature. The garden’s striking centrepiece, a giant Mother Nature figure crafted from fallen trees, Derbyshire stone and willow, has been adapted for its permanent home, where it will be surrounded by wildflowers in time and provide a space for community gatherings and quiet reflection.
While some trees and climbing roses will be planted later in the autumn following the summer heatwave, the garden is already attracting plenty of attention from local residents. According to the project team, the relocated garden has generated significant excitement in the community, with visitors embracing the opportunity to enjoy a nationally celebrated RHS Chelsea garden in their neighbourhood.
From RHS Chelsea showstopper to community sanctuary – award-winning garden relocates to Sheffield
The garden also continues the legacy of Ethel Haythornthwaite, one of CPRE’s earliest campaigners and a key figure in the creation of Sheffield’s Green Belt. By providing a welcoming and accessible green space, the garden aims to celebrate the relationship between urban communities and the countryside on their doorstep.
CPRE Chief Executive Roger Mortlock said: “We want people to feel pride in their countryside and, through this garden and other spaces like it, to love the countryside that’s right on their doorstep.”
Designer Sarah Eberle with woodcarver and chainsaw artist Chris Wood
Speaking on behalf of the joint venture, Places for People’s Nilam Buchanan said: “The garden is a real moment for Park Hill, not just for the development, but for the neighbourhood as a whole. Green, welcoming, shared spaces are what make a place feel like home, and we hope this becomes somewhere residents genuinely love and use every day.”
The project was supported by Project Giving Back, which funded the original RHS Chelsea garden. The charity’s CEO, Hattie Ghaui, said: “The wonderful Mother Nature sculpture, and the quietly brilliant garden that Sarah created around her, was one of the most talked about features at this year’s RHS Chelsea. Seeing her settle into a permanent home in Sheffield, where she will continue to be nurtured by the Park Hill community, is a wonderful way to help mark our final year of funding gardens for good causes.”
Now settled at Park Hill, the award-winning garden has begun a new life, offering residents a place to connect with nature while preserving the spirit and message that made it such a success at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
