Our Purpose

We are a living place-based national demonstrator of green and resilient urban places where people, nature and enterprises can thrive.

We are The Green Estate Community Interest Company, one of the largest social enterprises in South Yorkshire. Our mission is to grow green and resilient urban places where people and nature can thrive.

We were originally set up in 2003 as a heritage and environmental regeneration project in the Manor area of Sheffield – an area which has suffered more than its fair share of disadvantage. Where old derelict buildings were considered a liability, there is now £9 million worth of heritage facilities. Where there was no-go wasteland with burnt-out cars and antisocial behaviour, there is now Green Flag Award-winning parklands, beautiful urban meadows, nature-based sustainable urban drainage systems and a circular economy green recycling unit. Where there was stigma, abandonment and disillusionment, there is now innovation, partnership and hope.

Our work has been recognised by the King with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

“The Green Estate is leading the way as an urban resilience pioneer. ” Oliver Harmer, Chief Operating Officer, Natural England

Visit and Enjoy The Green Estate in Sheffield

When you visit today, you can enjoy the Green Flag Award winning Manor Fields Park with naturalistic designs and exemplar sustainable drainage systems.

You can experience our heritage visitor centre with the Scheduled Ancient Monument Sheffield Manor Lodge where Mary Queen of Scot was once imprisoned.

You can get married or host celebrations and corporate events in the beautiful Manor Oaks venue, enjoy the culinary delights of The Rhubarb Shed Cafe and visit our pre-loved bookshop. We also host heritage, resilience and landscaping education, training workshops, masterclasses and showcase events.

You can drop off green waste and we recycle it into peat free compost and specialist substrates soils which we sell locally and for big projects across the UK.

We also offer a range of support and a home for a collective of community enterprises who grow food and cut flowers, sew Tudor costumes, make furniture, jewellery, support young people to flourish and more.

Meadows and Resilience Landscaping Across the UK and Beyond

Through transforming our own place and working closely with Sheffield University and other landscaping industry partners, The Green Estate team have become nationally acclaimed experts in nature-based solutions and sustainable urban landscaping.

Our visual, ecological and robust Pictorial Meadows were designed in partnership with Professor Nigel Dunnett and Professor James Hitchmough to thrive in challenging and urban contexts. Our premium range, which includes annual and perennial seed mixes and meadow turf, have been used in iconic settings such as the Tower of London Moat. Our Pictorial Meadow seed mixes and turf are sold and displayed across the UK, the EU and beyond.

Our team of experts work with clients across the UK and Europe to advise, install and maintain resilient soft landscaping, including ‘Grey to Green’ in Sheffield. They specialise in biodiverse and resilient Pictorial Meadows, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, green roofs and rain gardens.

We accept green waste from across Sheffield and use it to produce PAS 100 peat-free compost and specialist substrates soils for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, green roofs and tree pits.

The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development

We were one of the first 15 businesses to receive the prestigious Kings Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development approved personally by the King.