The Peace Gardens, located along Pinstone Street near the Winter Garden and Millennium Galleries, are an award-winning public space. Originally the churchyard of St Paul's Church, built in the 18th century by local goldsmith Robert Downs to accommodate Sheffield's growing population, the church was consecrated in 1740. By 1938, the church was demolished to make way for a proposed Town Hall extension, which was never built due to WWII, leaving only the churchyard walls. A temporary garden named St Paul’s Gardens was created, but it was soon renamed the Peace Gardens, a name formalised in 1985 due to popular desire for peacetime.

Key features of the Peace Gardens include:
  • The Goodwin Fountain - with 89 water jets, is dedicated to Sir Stuart and Lady Goodwin, who were significant local philanthropists. Originally built in 1961 and intended as a tribute to Alderman James Sterling, the fountain was relocated to the Peace Gardens in 1998.
  • The Holberry Cascades - dedicated to Samuel Holberry, leader of the Sheffield Chartist Movement, the Holberry Cascades consist of 8 large water features located at the four main entrances to the Peace Gardens. The cascades symbolise Sheffield's rivers and metal industry, recirculating 57,000 litres of water with a brine solution for cleanliness.
  • Standard Measures - historically used to resolve commercial disputes over short measures, the Standard Measures symbolise local government and consumer protection. Originally displayed in St Paul's Parade, they were moved to Cheney Row between the Peace Gardens and the Town Hall in 1998.
  • The Spanish War Memorial - this memorial honours South Yorkshire volunteers in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and local supporters who campaigned and raised funds. It is located on the ramp near the Town Hall leading to Cheney Row.
  • The Bochum Bell - presented by Sheffield's twin city Bochum in Germany in 1985 to mark their 35-year link, the Bochum Bell reflects the shared steel manufacturing heritage. Made by apprentices at Krupp AG Works, it is situated in the top flowerbed along Pinstone Street.