At DBTH, we are proud of our green spaces. In the past two years, we achieved the coveted Green Flag Award in recognition for our gardens. The Trust is committed to ensuring the gardens are a pleasant environment for everyone.
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Our gardens
- The Rainbow Gardens
- The Butterfly Garden at DRI
- The Fred and Ann Green Memorial Garden at Montagu Hospital
- The Chatsfield Garden at DRI
- Finding our green spaces
The Rainbow Gardens
The Rainbow Gardens at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) and Bassetlaw Hospital were opened in 2022, originally as memorial spaces to honour individuals who lost their lives to COVID-19. The gardens were funded through the Rainbow Gardens appeal, organised by DBTH Charity.
These gardens provide tranquil environments for reflection and remembrance for families, colleagues, and the community.
The Rainbow Garden at Bassetlaw Hospital features a bespoke sculpture by local artist Kenny Roach, symbolising peace, friendship, and healing.
At DRI, the Rainbow Garden can be found close to Gate 1B, close to the bus stop on Thorne Road and at the top corner of the Women’s and Children’s car park. It is also marked by the flag pole on site that often proudly flies the Green Flag Award flag.
At Bassetlaw, the Rainbow Garden is found next to the Rehab centre and can be accessed via an entrance close to the maternity entrance on the Kilton Road side of the hospital grounds.
The Butterfly Garden at DRI
The Butterfly Garden was officially opened in 2018 as a memorial for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
The garden serves as a place of reflection and solace for bereaved families and is also available to anyone seeking a quiet place to think. It features ornate flora, rose arches, a gazebo, decorative pebble formations, and ample seating, providing a peaceful environment for visitors.
The Butterfly Garden is located at DRI behind the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The Fred and Ann Green Memorial Garden at Montagu Hospital
The Fred and Ann Green Memorial Garden opened in 2000 to enhance the hospital’s landscaping and provide a tranquil space for patients, visitors, and staff.
The garden was funded by the Fred and Ann Green Legacy, a generous bequest from Fred Green, a retired pork butcher from Mexborough, who left £11.5 million to the Trust upon his passing in 1998. It stands as a testament to the Greens’ enduring legacy and their commitment to the well-being of the local community.
The garden is located next to the Gate 4 entrance at Montagu Hospital.
The Chatsfield Garden at DRI
The Chatsfield Garden at DRI is a tranquil outdoor space adjacent to the Chatsfield Suite, the hospital’s chemotherapy unit. Established to provide a serene environment for patients undergoing cancer treatment, as well as their families and visitors, the garden offers a peaceful retreat from the clinical setting.
The garden was made possible through generous donations from the local community and fundraising efforts by the Chatsfield Suite team.
Taking care of our gardens and green spaces
The Trust has a small team of gardeners across its three sites. At Bassetlaw Hospital, Ed Wells is responsible for maintaining the Rainbow Garden and other areas, including a new bench area created in memory of Jasper, a much-loved cat who frequently visited staff at Bassetlaw.
Ed has been with the Trust for several years and is proud of how the Rainbow Garden has evolved since its creation in 2021, which was funded by a Trust-led charity appeal to mark the COVID-19 pandemic. Ed says, “The Rainbow Garden at Bassetlaw is a fantastic location for patients, visitors, and staff to experience a moment of peace in their day. I encourage everyone to visit and enjoy the serenity of the garden; it is a space for everyone.”
Ed Wells, gardener based at Bassetlaw Hospitals
Ed also highlights the importance of sustainability in maintaining the garden, noting that many of the plants have been propagated from existing stock to keep costs to a minimum.
At Doncaster Royal Infirmary, there are two resident gardeners, Brian and Martin.
Martin Smith, Estates gardener based at DRI
Martin Smith also shares a passion for gardening, as Martin has been working at DRI as a gardener for an amazing 44 years! He followed in the footsteps of his father, who also worked as a gardener on the same hospital site!
Increasing biodiversity is key to sustaining natural habitats, something actively promoted within the Rainbow Gardens at DRI, which features bee-friendly plants, insect boxes, and even a bug hotel. These features help increase insect populations, which in turn boost wildlife through pollination and pest reduction.
Finding our green spaces
You can find the gardens on all sites by accessing the latest hospital maps here.
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