The Gardeners Rest  

An out of the way pub this, but there is a bus to Chapletown that stops at the end of the road. Another way of putting it is that it's between The New Barrack Tavern and the Cast and Cutler, but check the map link.

From the outside the Gardeners Rest looks pretty innocuous, fitting in with the nature of the area - run down industrial. The area of Neepsend has seen many changes over the last 150 years - from a rural area of gardens and woods, devastated by the Sheffield Flood in 1864, to an area of heavy industry and housing through the 20th Century.

However, once inside you are faced with a modern and light/airy pub that in a real drinkers den. This is the lounge bar and is smoke free. There are two bars, though the one on the left is so small, going with a group of friends packs it out. The larger and therefore more relaxed bar is the main bar on the right of the entrance. In here you will find a mixture of seating from tables and chairs to a booth. You can also find the bar billiards table here. On the walls is the local art space where varied exhibitions are.

The bar is quite long, leading towards the door to the patio (see picture). On the bar you will always find the range of Timmy Taylor's beers, plus two other guest ales from a featured brewery. For those of you into foreign lager they do two draught Belgian beers.

The addition of a conservatory has added more seating space and added light to the pub. There are light wooden tables and chairs here - but it can get cold in winter. Next to the conservatory is a proper outside beer garden with long benches and tables, all in sight of the river Don.

The Gardeners also has regular events such as music on Thursdays and a quiz on Sundays. No accommodation here or food, but try The New Barrack Tavern for both.

Access for the disabled is possible.

History

The Gardeners Rest was built just over 100 years ago, probably on the site of an older beer house. In 1898 J. L. Cockayne & Sons, of Owlerton Brewery, Capel Street, acquired the pub. In 1915 Cockayncs was bought by John Smith’s of Tadcaster and for over 75 years the pub thrived as a busy work’s and local’s pub.

By the 1980s the area had entered another period of change. The heavy industry was in decline and large areas of housing were being razed. In 1991 Smith’s sold the pub to Mansfield Brewery, but by 1997 the Gardener’s trade had declined so much that Mansfield put the pub on the market.

Eventually the last manager left and the Gardeners Rest was boarded up. The End?

The end of the 20th Century saw this stretch of the Don Valley entering a new phase of regeneration people moving back into the area to live, new smaller industrial and commercial businesses developing and, where there was once a stinking, polluted River Don, a beautiful, clean waterway rich in wildlife.

In 1998 Eddy Munnelly and Pat Wilson bought the Gardeners Rest, attracted by its cosy feel, arched windows and secret 'oasis’ at the back, and on October 9th 1998 The Gardeners Rest re-opened brighter and livelier than it had been for many years. The start of a new era for the Gardeners Rest.

Now two years on, in an ongoing programme of renovation, the Gardeners Rest boasts a beautiful conservatory and beer garden overlooking the River Don, new toilets and disabled facilities. Future changes will include the creation of a catering kitchen and further improvements in the beer garden.

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The Cobden view, Cobden View Rd, Crooks, Sheffield, S10. 0114 266 1273. Deuchars IPA, Blck Sheep Bitter, Abbeydale Moonshine plus guest. No Food. Beer garden. Open Mon-Fri 4-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10.30.

Fleur de Lys, Totley Hall Lane, Sheffield, S17 4AA. 0114 236 0707. Range of ales. Food: 12-2, 5-8 Mon-Sat & 12-3 Sun.

Royal Standard, 156 St Mary's Rd, Sheffield. Beers: Black Sheep, Ruddles, Greene King IPA. Food: 12-3pm. Open: 12-11pm (10.30 Sun). No Smoking Room, pool tables. 0114 2722883

The Ship Inn, 312 Shalesmoor, Sheffield, S3 8UL. 0114 281 2204. Beers: Kimberley Ales. Food: 12-2pm Monday to Friday.

The Swim Inn, 217-231 Glossop Road/West Street. Sheffield. (0114) 252 7640. Sheffield's latest Wetherspoon pub.

The Walkley Cottage Inn, 46 Bole Hill Rd, Sheffield, S6 5DD. 0114 234 4968. Landlord, Blck Sheep, Abbott Ale plus a guest. Food: served evenings. 

 

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