Overview
The original Steel City, Sheffield is one place most have heard of, but isn't usually on many travellers' bucket lists. If this is you, you're missing out. It's true, Yorkshire's second city has a bit of an image problem. Its cutlery may be in kitchen drawers the world over, but Sheffield hasn't necessarily reinvented itself in the way that other northern English cities have managed to do.
First-time visitors are more often than not surprised by what they find, however. Many remark on how they wish they'd discovered the place sooner, and wonder why nobody told them it was here.
Why? Sheffielders are too modest; they know their city is wonderful, but they won't tell you so, even though that means getting overlooked more often than not. When pushed, they might mumble something about metal and hills, but they won't tell you about their creative talents, or their museums and art galleries. If the locals mention the city's two universities, they won't brag about their size (30,000 students apiece) or successes (world leaders in industry, engineering and the sciences).
They certainly won't talk about the fact that Sheffield is England's National City of Sport, nor that it has a credible claim to being the real ale capital of the world, nor even that it is home to Britain's biggest and best theatre scene outside London. As for telling you how many trees Sheffield has (three times the number of people), or just how close it is to the Peak District (one third of the city lies within this national park, the UK's oldest), you can forget it. But now you're in the know, there can be no more excuses - you'll find there's plenty to discover in "England's largest village".
Understand
Orientation Sheffield is one of the United Kingdom's biggest cities, with a population of 575,000, and around 1.6 million in the wider metropolitan area. The city lies in the most southerly part of Yorkshire, with Derbyshire to the west and south-west, Nottinghamshire to the south-east, and Lincolnshire not far to the east. The M1 motorway runs along the city's eastern boundary and separates Sheffield from neighbouring Rotherham. The beautiful Peak District National Park extends to within the western city boundary, and the South Pennines area ("Last of the Summer Wine country") lies just to the north. The cities of Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham are all roughly 30 miles from Sheffield, in different directions.
Local folklore states that Sheffield, just like Rome, is built on seven hills; there are in fact considerably more than seven, and pretty much every neighbourhood is on the top or side of one hill or another. As well as the hills, the city is the meeting point of five rivers; the Don, the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin, and the Sheaf, from which Sheffield gets its name. The city owes its existence to this rich landscape. Even before the Industrial Revolution, the villages around Sheffield were established as centres of industry and commerce thanks to fast flowing rivers and streams that brought water down from the Pennines. The valleys through which these flowed were ideally suited for man-made dams that could be used to power water mills. A walk along the Rivelin Valley from Malin Bridge tram stop or along the Porter Valley out from Endcliffe Park towards the Peak District will reveal some of these old dams.
The increasingly high-rise and densely-populated City Centre lies where these rivers and valleys meet. The city has expanded out along the valleys and over the hills between, creating leafy neighbourhoods and suburbs within easy reach of the centre. Each valley has its own character, from the densely industrial Don Valley in the north-east, to the green and cosmopolitan residential streets of the Porter Valley in the south-west. Sheffield's difficult geography mean it sometimes feels more like a succession of self-contained villages, than a metropolitan city.
Socioeconomically, and speaking very generally, Sheffield is split into two, almost down the middle: the western half, closer to the Peak District, is on the whole very affluent, indeed it contains some of the wealthiest postcodes in England. Then there's the working-class eastern half, where most of the heavy industry is concentrated, which unfortunately has some of the country's most deprived neighbourhoods. When moving from west to east, the division is stark and sudden, and the jump has been compared by academics and journalists to literary works by Dickens and Miéville, and even to Cold War-era Berlin.
Industry in the city really took off when the railways arrived, allowing for the mass import of raw materials and export of finished products. The crucible technique of making exceptionally high quality steel was invented here by Benjamin Huntsman in 1852, and for decades it was to give Sheffield the economic advantage over other steel-producing cities. The Sheffield metallurgist Harry Brearley is the most commonly-credited inventor of stainless steel, in 1912. Sheffield is still home to several steel works and a number of cutlery and blade manufacturers (including Swann Morton), and Sheffield steel can be found in surgical equipment and kitchen drawers the world over.
However, the economic recession of the 1980s hit Sheffield hard, and large numbers of workers were left unemployed by the changing shape of heavy industry in Britain. Increased mechanisation has meant that while the steel industry remains the cornerstone of the city's export economy, it employs a fraction of its former workforce. Like Liverpool and Glasgow, Sheffield gained a reputation for a socialist political scene in reaction to the Conservative government of the day and the not entirely tongue-in-cheek nickname of The People's Republic of South Yorkshire. The resilient spirit of Sheffielders in these bleak times made the city famous in the black comedy film The Full Monty (1997), and people even today retain a remarkable optimism against hardship. This is seen most acutely in a local saying, "Smile, tha's not dead yet!"
It has become something of a local joke that post-war town planners did more damage to the face of Sheffield than even the Luftwaffe managed during the blitz. Bold housing projects such as the widely-known Park Hill, and the pedestrianised shopping street The Moor are relics of the 1960s vision of a "city on the move". In reality, this left much of Sheffield with a poorly maintained legacy of failed utopian concrete fantasies, but this braveness and edginess is cited by many as being a fundamental part of Sheffield's character.
Even if the built environment of Sheffield occasionally leaves something to be desired, large parts of the City Centre have been spruced up by investment, while in other areas this is still a work in progress. However, the large amount of pedestrianised space and the presence of street-running trams gives the centre something of a continental feel. Furthermore, the kind of mid-century brutalist and functionalist architecture that Sheffield has in spades has had an upsurge in popularity, and both Park Hill and the Moor have been sympathetically reinvented for the 21st century, while maintaining their essential character.
Sheffielders - people from Sheffield - speak with a distinctive, melodious accent, that has spurred people from other parts of Yorkshire to give them the nickname dee-dars. This is a play on the local pronunciation of "thee" and "thou" - and yes those pronouns are current in these parts! If you know of the actor Sean Bean, you will have possibly already heard his natural Sheffield accent, which he has used in many roles, including in Sharpe and Game of Thrones. There are also some dialect words in common use; see the main Yorkshire article for details.
While the whole of the north of England claims to have friendly natives, Sheffielders pride themselves on an egalitarian warmth and hospitality that goes above and beyond the call of duty. This is a city of over half a million people, where folk still greet friends and neighbours in the street to pass the time of day. Visitors may find this familial atmosphere, which has earned Sheffield the nickname of England's largest village, most noticeable in the affectionate terms that slip into everyday conversation. Even when making a simple purchase in a shop or market, you can expect to be called 'love' or 'pal' at least once. If a stranger strikes up a conversation with you on the tram, don't be alarmed, that just how Sheffielders are!
But as well as ticking a lot of Yorkshire stereotypes, Sheffield is also a vibrant multicultural city, and is home to significant Chinese, Somali, Ethiopian, Turkish, Kurdish, East European and Romany immigrant communities, while tens of thousands of people born in the city claim historic Pakistani, Irish, Caribbean, Polish and Spanish ancestry. The two universities and one huge further education college have 84,000 students between them, many of whom are from overseas. The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University have excellent ratings in teaching and research, and are important drivers to the regional economy. Sheffield is increasingly prosperous and economically active, with a youthful population, due to the high number of graduates who choose to stay in the city.
Culturally, Sheffield is no slouch, offering everything from fine art, opera, and ballet, to dynamic theatre, film, comedy and street art. The edgy environment has nurtured a reyt good reputation for popular music, and the city is home to Jarvis Cocker, Pulp, the Human League, Def Leppard, the Arctic Monkeys and others. The large student population means that nightlife is always lively, and suitably different to that of other major cities.
Get in
Navigate to: By train, By car, By bus or coach, By boat By plane Thanks to its flat-space limiting hilly topography, Sheffield is one of Europe's largest cities without its own airport, however, this can easily be reached from a number of other airports. These include:
You can reach Manchester Airport from virtually any major city in the world with a single change of planes.
As of 2025, there is no longer a direct train between Sheffield and Manchester Airport, however, the city can be reached by train from the airport in about 80 minutes, with the journey involving a quick change of trains at Manchester Piccadilly Station
You can also drive over the Pennines and through the Peak District on the picturesque A57 Snake Pass.
This sits around an hour south of Sheffield beside the M1 Motorway. There are several daily bus services to Sheffield from the airport, operated by National Express. Trains also run to Sheffield from East Midlands Parkway station, which is a short taxi ride from the airport. You can also get the Skylink bus to Derby Station and catch a direct train to Sheffield from there.
Depending on traffic, the airport is around a 90 minute drive from Sheffield. Alternatively, you can catch the A1 Flyer Bus to Leeds Railway Station from where there are regular CrossCountry and Northern railway services to Sheffield varying in duration from 40 to 85 minutes.
By train Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain
Sheffield lies at the crossroads of three major railways. The Midland Mainline (south-east to north), cross country route (south-west and Midlands to northeast and Scotland) and a trans-Pennine service (north-west to north-east and east). All routes serve Midland station in the City Centre, and some also serve Meadowhall.
London St. Pancras International (for Eurostar from continental Europe), via Leicester and Derby, twice per hour, operated by East Midlands Railway. One train an hour also stops at East Midlands Airport. (Midland) Edinburgh Waverley, Newcastle Central, and York hourly, operated by Cross Country Trains (Midland) Birmingham New Street hourly, operated by Cross Country Trains (Midland) Leeds up to three times an hour; fast intercity services are operated by Cross Country Trains, and slower commuter trains operated by Northern Rail (Midland, Meadowhall) Doncaster (on the East Coast Mainline - London to Edinburgh) three times an hour, operated by Northern Rail and Cross Country Trains (Midland, Meadowhall) Manchester Piccadilly three times per hour operated by TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway and Northern Rail (Midland) Manchester Airport - direct service withdrawn (change at Manchester Piccadilly) Liverpool Lime Street twice per hour operated by TransPennine Express and East Midlands Trains (Midland) Hull once per hour, operated by Northern Rail (Midland, Meadowhall) Plymouth, Exeter St Davids and Bristol Temple Meads once per hour, operated by Cross Country Trains (Midland) Norwich, Peterborough and Nottingham once per hour, operated by East Midlands Trains (Midland) Lincoln once per hour, operated by Northern Rail (Midland) Hope Valley (Peak District) local stations once per hour, operated by Northern Rail (Midland)
Sheffield sits beside the M1 motorway, one of the UK's primary north–south routes linking the city with London, Leicester, Nottingham and Leeds. The M18 links Hull and Doncaster to the M1 next to Sheffield. The M1's interchange with the M62, the main route from Manchester, Liverpool and Bradford, is north of Sheffield. The City Centre is most easily reached from junction 33 of the M1, via the Sheffield Parkway dual-carriageway.
Two scenic routes from Manchester, the Snake Pass (A57) and the Woodhead Pass (A628) make for breathtaking trips through the Peak District National Park. In the event of heavy snowfall in winter, the police close both routes to all traffic. Should this be the case, you might try the M62 to Leeds, and then down the M1 to Sheffield.
It is also possible to use the Peak District as the scenic route from Birmingham (via Lichfield, Ashbourne and Bakewell) or Stoke-on-Trent (via Leek and Longnor). Beware that the route becomes very busy over holiday periods, and can be treacherous during cold or snowy weather.
Park and ride There are several places on the outskirts of Sheffield where you can park your vehicle or bicycle for the day or longer (up to 3 months) and catch a tram or train into the city. All sites are open 24/7 unless otherwise stated, and public transport runs between 6AM and midnight.
Dore & Totley Park and Ride. 130 parking spaces. Served by stopping services between Sheffield and Manchester (check timetable here) and considerably more regular buses (routes 97, 98, and 218)
The discount coach operator Megabus does not serve the city centre, but offers direct services each day to Meadowhall Interchange from London (Victoria), Birmingham, Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Nottingham. Meadowhall is 15 minutes away from the city centre by tram, or five minutes by an equally frequent train. Megabus departures may not be listed on departure screens at the Meadowhall Interchange: services generally depart from the same bay as National Express services.
Megabus and National Express offer through-tickets from many other towns and cities throughout the UK and Europe.
Sheffield and Meadowhall Interchanges have waiting areas sheltered from the elements, travel information desks and toilet and refreshment options. However, neither offer lockers; Meadowhall train station has a left luggage service.
By boat There are visitor moorings for boats travelling on the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal at the canal basin, found to the north-east of the city centre.
Get around
Navigate to: Cycling, Public transport, Taxis, Driving On foot Sheffield City Centre is compact and within it, few attractions are much further apart than . There has been significant work done to prioritise walking access, including extensive pedestrianisation, excellent links from the railway station, and a comprehensive signage system with area maps on metal pillars at strategic points, including by transport connections.
Even outside the central area, Sheffield is pleasantly walkable, with the Don Valley attractions and the Peak District being linked by walking routes from the City Centre, although of course the distances are further.
For information on walking as an activity, please see the section below.
Accessibility It's no secret that Sheffield is hilly, so walking around it can be demanding if your fitness isn't great or you have mobility issues. Some streets, even in the City Centre, are very steep, so comparatively short distances are more tiring than on the flat. If this sounds problematic to you, it may be as well to rely on other means of transport. Still, if you are going to be walking around Sheffield, a sturdy pair of shoes with decent grip and heel support is essential.
Like the rest of the UK, Sheffield has an extensive system of five and six-digit postcodes, which each refer to only a small number of addresses on the same street. A typical Sheffield postcode follows the pattern of S10 2TN. Each postcode area, which is the first half of the postcode (S10 in the given example) corresponds to a geographical area in the city, all of which are S followed by a one or two digit number. For instance, most of the City Centre forms the S1 postcode area, though parts are also in the S2, S3, S4 and S10 areas. Every street name sign in Sheffield includes the postcode area, minus the preceding S, so you can tell at a glance roughly where you are if you're a bit lost. The latter half of the postcode is what helps you find a specific address.
See also: United Kingdom#Addresses and postcodes
By bicycle Cycling in Sheffield can be an interesting experience. The city poses many challenges to safe and easy cycling: busy roads, an unfortunate dearth of dedicated cycle lanes and a hilly terrain are chief amongst these. The Supertram tracks, often embedded in the road surface, are also known to cause cycling accidents, so pay attention around these, especially in wet weather. Despite these setbacks, pedal power is a popular way of getting around. Sheffield is compact and densely-populated, meaning most parts of the city are within close distance. For those not bothered by steep climbs and swift descents, cycling Sheffield can be an exhilarating experience, and the constantly undulating terrain provides an ever-changing sequence of views and aspects. It's not for nowt that stage two of the 2014 Tour de France ended in a gruelling series of climbs and descents through the streets of the Steel City!
Sheffield City Council provide handy maps and useful information for cycling in the city, while Cyclestreets allows you to plan your cycling journey.
Sheffield ByCycle. The city's 'hilariously' punny brand new bike hire scheme, perfect for short journeys, and the local equivalent of London's famous "Boris Bikes". Users can rent a bike from and return it to any of the network's automated docking stations, at any time. Because the scheme is in the early stages of development, docking stations are for now only found in the city centre and around the University of Sheffield. In the centre, find stations at (over the road from the railway station), and . The bikes are sturdy but have limited gears, and overall are great for short distances and casual use.
Alternatively, private cycle hire is available:
Russell's Bicycle Shed. This service is more geared-up for longer hiring periods, from a day up to three months. The bikes are somewhat better equipped for the local terrain than Sheffield ByCycle's, so are the natural choice for anyone wishing to take their bike into the countryside. Folding bikes are also available.
If the challenges of city cycling are not for you, that's still no reason to leave your bike at home. In Sheffield, the cyclist's paradise of the Peak District is on your doorstep. Whether you're up for mountain biking or just a leisurely glide along flat, well-marked trails, there is something for every level of cycling ability in the Peak.
Public transport Public transport - buses, trams and trains - is an excellent way to get around Sheffield. All services are deregulated and operated by private enterprises. However, all of these companies are under licence to Travel South Yorkshire, who are the main source of unbiased travel information, updates, timetables and transport maps for the city. TSY also have a decent journey planner, accessible through their main page.
By tram The Stagecoach Supertram, normally known just as the Supertram, is a modern tram network with four colour-coded lines (Blue, Yellow, Purple and the Black tram-train service) which serve the city centre and many of Sheffield's suburbs, including Rotherham. Tram services run from just before 6AM (Monday-Saturday) or 7:30AM (Sunday) until around midnight. The tram train runs 5:30AM-10:30PM (M-Sa) and 8:30AM-6:30PM (Su).
Malin Bridge to Halfway, serving Hillsborough, Kelham Island, the University of Sheffield, the city centre, the railway station, Hallam University and Crystal Peaks. Every 10 min during the day. Meadowhall to Middlewood, serving Valley Centertainment, the Arena, Nunnery Square, the city centre, the University of Sheffield, Kelham Island and Hillsborough. Every 10 min during the day. Herdings Park to Cathedral, via the railway station and Hallam University. At peak times, the service is extended to Meadowhall. Every 30 min during the day. Cathedral to Rotherham Parkgate (tram train), serving Nunnery Square, the Arena, Valley Centertainment, Meadowhall South, and Rotherham town centre. Every 20 min during the day. Using the tram
Full timetables can be downloaded from Travel South Yorkshire: Blue, Yellow, Purple, Black tram train.
Most stations are now fitted with LED signs displaying the time and destination of the next four trams to arrive, however they don't always work particularly well. There are no ticket machines at stations. Don't panic! Supertram conductors seem to have very good facial recognition, and can keep track of who has and hasn't bought a ticket even when there are a hundred people on board. There are also sporadic on-the-spot checks from ticket inspectors, so it is important to hold onto your ticket until you have reached your destination.
All stations are request stops, meaning the tram will only stop if a passenger presses the 'stop' button or if people are waiting at the station. In practice, it is rare that a tram will pass a station without stopping, but this is worth bearing in mind if you're travelling at a quiet time.
The Supertram network is fully accessible to wheelchair users and parents with prams. Station platforms are raised up to be at the same level as the tram floor, and there is ample space on board for storage of luggage, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Passengers with no mobility constraints often sit on chairs reserved for those with such constraints, as these are closest to the doors, but nearly always move without being asked when they see someone in need getting on the tram.
Bicycles and dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) are not allowed on the tram.
Various Dayrider and Megarider passes are available as well, but unless you are absolutely sure you're only going to use the tram and Stagecoach buses to get around, these are to be avoided.
Children under 5 travel free. Senior and disabled persons' reductions are only available to residents of England in possession of a valid concessionary pass. Other concessions are available only to applicable residents of South Yorkshire.
By bus Sheffield has a very large bus network, which serves practically every neighbourhood and point of interest. Most buses are operated by two multinational private companies, First and Stagecoach, though there are some smaller local operators running certain routes, such as Hulleys and TM Travel. Buses generally run every 10–30 minutes during the day (M–Sa), and every 20–60 minutes in the evening and on Sundays. Some routes offer a higher frequency of service: every 4–10 minutes throughout the day and evening. Every stop has a paper timetable of all the buses that serve that stop, plus there is a bus-tracking service called YourNextBus. If using mobile internet, you can simply search for the stop or bus route number on the Travel South Yorkshire website.
Roads with a high frequency of service are served by routes from different companies, and some very busy routes with the same number are operated by more than one company, so you don't want to be caught short by having the wrong company's ticket!
Bus maps of North and South Sheffield are available to download; you can also obtain paper copies at bus interchanges. Both maps show the city centre in detail. Transport map geeks should head to Sheffield Interchange (as if you weren't planning to already!), to see the cool wall maps showing the whole city's bus, tram and rail services on one large sheet. These are 'rare' in the sense that they're not available to purchase or download, and aren't displayed anywhere else in the city.
All service stop running before midnight.
Although there aren't many rail services within Sheffield itself, there is a decent network of suburban rail services serving the city region, all of which depart from Sheffield's pretty Midland station. Tickets can be bought from any National Rail station in the UK, or online. The following services are operated by Northern Rail: Barnsley via Meadowhall, Chapeltown, Elsecar, Wombwell (this service continues either to Huddersfield or to Wakefield and Leeds); Chesterfield via Dronfield; Doncaster via Meadowhall, Rotherham, Swinton, Mexborough, Conisbrough; The Peak District / Hope Valley line: serving Dore, Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope, Edale, Chinley, New Mills Central (this service continues to Manchester); Worksop via Darnall, Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Shireoaks (this service continues to Lincoln)
By taxi and black cab There are no regular night bus routes in the city, and all tram services terminate around midnight. Sheffield's two main taxi companies operate 24 hours a day. As with elsewhere, extra charges apply over Christmas and New Year.
City Taxis. Pre-booked taxis and black cabs.
Alternatively, Uber is gaining in popularity and prominence.
The use of a private vehicle is generally discouraged for able-bodied travellers, as Sheffield's roads are congested and not always easy to navigate, and parking is not particularly easy. One of the options already mentioned should be suitable for most visitors, however if you still intend to bring your car, you might as well know a few basics.
The Inner Ring Road (A61) forms a complete circle of dual-carriageway around the city centre. The Outer Ring Road (A6102) forms a semicircle of single and dual-carriageways around the city through the eastern suburbs. Confusingly both the inner and the outer rings are referred to just as "Ring Road" on signs. The Sheffield Parkway (A57 / A630) is a grade-separated dual-carriageway linking the inner and outer ring roads with junction 33 of the M1 and Rotherham The A57 comes from the Peak District in the west, through Broomhill and the city centre, then east along part of Sheffield Parkway, before deviating south-east through Handsworth, Beighton, the M1 junction 31 and on towards Worksop. The A61 goes straight north and south from its Ring Road portions, linking to Hillsborough, Chapeltown, the M1 junction 36 and ultimately Barnsley to the north, and Heeley, Woodseats and on towards Chesterfield to the south.
As mentioned already once or twice, Sheffield is hilly! This means that many roads have steep gradients, which will be a good test for your brakes, especially during winter when snow and ice are common. Be prepared for hill starts when moving off from on-street parking and when stuck in heavy traffic. The hills, winter conditions and extreme local government budget cuts also mean that the road surface quality is generally poor; watch out for potholes.
Most car parks in the city are owned by either Sheffield City Council, or the private companies NCP and Q-Park. The inner ring road and its approach roads all have brown signs indicating which additional signs you should follow for particular attractions and neighbourhoods, for example: "Follow Cathedral Quarter for City Hall & Cathedral." Follow the appropriate signs, even if they seem to take you half-way around the city, and you will eventually be directed to off-street paid parking close to the desired attraction. Alternatively, there are some cheaper car parks on what would otherwise be wasteland at the fringes of the city centre; these are easy enough to spot from the inner ring road.
See
Navigate to: Museums and galleries, Parks and gardens, Street art and graffiti
Anglican Cathedral. Sheffield's 13th-century cathedral. Not to be missed are the crypt - dedicated to the York and Lancaster Regiment of the British Army, the 1960s nave and the gargoyles on the intricate gatepost. Free guided tours are available on request and last around 45 minutes.
Arts Tower. Topped out in 1965, the University of Sheffield Arts Tower is a superb example of mid-century architecture. The main interest inside is a rare surviving paternoster lift; claimed to be the largest in the world, this is a continuously moving elevator which you can ride up 19 floors. You're not supposed to go over the top, or below ground level into the basement, but you do so 'by accident', there's no safety issue. The tower is grade-II* listed along with the adjacent Western Bank Library, which you can access across the mezzanine bridge, and which you may be able to visit with permission from the front desk. Please remember that these are busy university buildings; respect the students and staff.
Barker's Pool. Large square that is used for public gatherings and demonstrations. In the middle is the Sheffield Cenotaph, which is a memorial to the city's fallen. At the western end there are two monuments to very different heroines; the Women of Steel sculpture honours local women's contribution to the steel industry during times of war, while the post box on the corner of Division Street was spray-painted gold to commemorate Jessica Ennis' successes at the 2012 Olympics. Barkers Pool is also the location of the City Hall theatre.
Catholic Cathedral. Opened in 1850, this is the Mother Church of the local Catholic community. There are several interesting architectural elements inside, including stained-glass windows and a 19th-century Lewis organ.
Central Library. A grand 1930s library in Art Deco style with an impressive volume of books.
Cholera Monument. A monument to and burial ground for 402 victims of the 1832 cholera outbreak in a lovely park and woodland setting and with commanding views over the city centre. Worth slogging up the hill for.
Hillsborough Disaster Memorial. On 15 April 1989, at the FA Cup semi-final, 97 Liverpool FC fans lost their lives (94 on the day, three later) in a terrible crush in this Sheffield stadium. The memorial at Hillsborough is understandably more low-key than the one at Anfield, but if you want to pay your respects, you can follow the example of others by leaving flowers, messages of condolence, or the shirt or scarf of the team you support.
Park Hill. Grade-II* listed brutalist blocks of flats. Try to spot the graffiti on one of the overhead walkways, where the sprayed words I love you will u marry me have been displayed for over 15 years, and are illuminated in neon by night. Park Hill has also featured prominently in Doctor Who since 2018.
Peace Gardens. The rising and falling fountains and grassed areas make this small piece of open space popular in summer, with many people choosing to eat picnics here. The gardens are also often used for festivals and entertainment. Adjacent is , a rather windy place between modern office blocks (including the city's tallest building, St Paul's Tower) and with several large restaurants. The steel balls on the square have been chosen to represent Sheffield's industry.
Sheffield Town Hall. The hub of Sheffield's local government - you can't go inside, but it's worth walking all the way around to admire the Victorian municipal architecture. Of note is the magnificent clock tower upon which the Roman god of metalworking Vulcan poses, and the many stone friezes depicting the city's industries. As you walk, don't miss the Sheffield Legends walk of fame - with plaques for actors Sean Bean and Michael Palin, Olympic athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill and Seb Coe, astronaut Helen Sharman and musicians Def Leppard and Joe Cocker, among others. You will also spot a green and white police box dating from 1928, which is still in use as a public information point.
Victoria Quays. An attractive basin at the end of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, with colourful narrowboats and old warehouses that have been converted into offices and apartments. There are also a couple of places for drinks and snacks, with outdoor seating. The Quays is the starting point for boat trips in summer.
Winter Garden. The largest urban glasshouse in Europe, built spectacularly in glass and timber, and home to exotic ferns, trees, cacti and other plants from around the world. Temperatures are kept relatively cool in summer and warm in winter. Lots of benches and a coffee bar inside makes it a pleasant place to sit and read or watch the world go by, particularly if the weather outside is not so nice. In fact, there are few more satisfying experiences to be had anywhere than listening to rain or hail lash the glass while you're warm and dry! There is a visitor information stall in the gardens, space for a pop-up shop and a tourist information centre on nearby Norfolk Row.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. The early industrial history of Sheffield, including water-powered grinding wheels and trip hammers, set among a collection of Grade I- and II-listed buildings.
Bishops' House. 16th-century Grade-II* listed timber frame house, managed as a museum and events venue by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. There are exhibitions on life during the Stuart era, and period-decorated rooms. The historical investigations are ongoing and in 2017, ring-dating of the house's timber framing dropped the bombshell that this was never the residence of bishops, as had long been thought.
Graves Gallery. Sheffield's municipal art collection, with a good chronological selection from the 16th century to the contemporary era. The British, Flemish and French impressionist sections are particularly impressive. Includes works by Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Damien Hirst, L.S. Lowry, Grayson Perry, both Pissarros, Stanley Spencer, JMW Turner and Jan van Goyen. Often has notable travelling exhibitions. The gallery is not especially big, allowing you to see and appreciate everything within two hours. Keep your coat, as some galleries are kept uncomfortably chilly to the extent that blankets are left out for customers to borrow.
Kelham Island Museum. The industrial and social history of Sheffield, within a hipster area that was once the heart of the steel industry. Main attraction is the massive 3-cylinder rolling mill engine (in steam every hour) from the River Don Steelworks.
Millennium Gallery. A gallery dedicated to arts, craft and design, with two permanent galleries, and one temporary exhibition space. The Metalwork Gallery includes an extensive collection of Sheffield-made cutlery and extravagant metalwork. The Ruskin Gallery was established by John Ruskin in the 19th century, and is a hotchpotch of different artefacts.
National Emergency Services Museum. The world's largest collection of vehicles, uniforms and memorabilia from the police force, fire brigade and ambulance service.
National Videogame Museum. This collection moved from Nottingham at the end of 2018, so is still establishing itself. If you want to play nostalgic games for hours on end, you will adore this place, but if you're looking for any narrative, information, or context, you might find the place lacking. If you go there thinking of it has a retro games arcade rather than a museum, you won't be disappointed.
S1 Artspace. An artist-led organisation providing studio space for over 20 Sheffield-based artists. It presents an annual programme of contemporary exhibitions, screenings and events. Temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shepherd Wheel Workshop. A grade-II listed small cutlery workshop powered only by the rushing waters of Porter Brook. A water-powered cottage cutlery industry flourished in the area between the 1500s and 1930s. See the waterwheel and other machinery in action. Museum partially accessible to disabled visitors.
SIA Gallery. Showcases art from Sheffield Hallam University and the wider community, as well as visiting artists, with a focus on graphic design and contemporary fine art. Always challenging, often thought-provoking and moving. A visit to the gallery is complemented by exploring the itself, which is in the beautifully repurposed central post office building 10 minutes' walk north on Fitzalan Square. It has a café and its own small exhibition space.
Turner Museum of Glass. Founded in 1943 by Prof. W.E.S. Turner, this is a significant collection of 19th- and 20th-century glass. It has pieces by all the major European and American glassmakers. There is even a glass wedding dress, worn by Turner's wife! Wheelchair access is limited.
Weston Park Museum. A pleasant and modern museum, particularly suitable for children, in a fittingly grand old building. Galleries on Sheffield's natural and social history as well as the Arctic, art and treasures. The temporary gallery often hosts touring exhibitions from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Wortley Top Forge. Metal-bashing forge set up in the 1640s on a bend in the River Don, and remaining water-powered until the site closed in 1910. It latterly produced wrought iron railway axles, until these were replaced by steel.
Botanical Gardens. The restored Victorian gardens are a tranquil green oasis to which to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Highlights include the formal borders, the rose garden and the Mediterranean zone, as well as some rather grand glass houses designed by Joseph Paxton. Look out for the semi-hidden bear pit, which was indeed home to a bear in the 19th century, until (according to local legend at least) a young boy fell in and was mauled to death. A rather full events programme includes regular horticultural talks, plants sales, and a summer series of outdoor theatre and concerts.
Devonshire Green. The only significant green space in the City Centre is the heart of the vibrant Devonshire Quarter. Both are named after the Dukes of Devonshire, whose seat is at Chatsworth in the Peak District. It has an area of landscaped grass (thronged with young people in good weather) and semi-mature trees, a skatepark, and an outdoor arena used for festivals and events including Tramlines. Architecture buffs will appreciate the Gaudíesque curved walls and serpentine benches.
Endcliffe Park. A great city park with lots of amenities and a good amount of space; there's woodland, playing fields, a children's playground, café and even a small river, the Porter Brook, running through. Also to be seen is a large statue of Queen Victoria, sculpted in 1887 to mark the monarch's golden jubilee, and a memorial stone for the United States Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress which crashed in the park on 22 February 1944 with the loss of all ten crew. Around the stone is planted a grove of American oaks in remembrance. The Porter Brook can be followed out of the park, through more attractive woodland and past the Shepherd's Wheel to the edge of the Peak District in less than hour's walking.
General Cemetery. An historically important Victorian cemetery, which is the final "home" for 87,000 people, including influential Sheffielders such as steel manufacturer Mark Firth and Chartist Samuel Holberry. The 19th century class system is evident in the range of memorials, with great mausoleums, modest stones and unmarked paupers' graves (some with 40 or more burials in one plot) jostling for space. When you pass through the imposing arched gateway from Cemetery Avenue, you very much know you're entering a necropolis. The neo-gothic Anglican chapel and contrastingly neo-classical nonconformist chapel are hauntingly derelict. All in all, this is a beautiful and fascinating spot, where visitors can enjoy some atmospheric wildness near the centre of town.
Graves Park and Animal Farm. This 92-hectare park, the largest in Sheffield, has a variety of amenities, from sports fields, to playgrounds, woodland and a café. The main draw to visitors is the rare breeds farm, in the north east corner of the park close to Hemsworth Rd. Donkeys, pigs, deer and alpacas are the stars, but there are plenty of smaller animals to keep your kids happy for hours.
Sheffield Manor Lodge. The ruins of a Tudor manor house, which was the home of the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. During the 1570s and 1580s, the house served as Mary Queen of Scots' luxurious prison. The 1940s Manor Cottages offer an immersive and interactive wartime experience. Meet a variety of farmyard animals at Manor Oaks farm. Costumed historical characters associated with the area, the giant sandpit and lavender labyrinth should all appeal to kids, while extensive wildflower meadows and on-site café complete the visit.
St George's Churchyard. An atmospheric deconsecrated churchyard complete with heavily-weathered gravestones and mature trees around the 1826 neo-gothic former church, now University of Sheffield lecture theatre and student accommodation. In spring and summer, a pair of peregrine falcons can usually be seen nesting and raising chicks high on the church tower. While you're there, you might as well look at some of the university buildings around it, most notably the grade-II listed is an imposing example of Edwardian architecture, while the striking metallic is either a modern masterpiece or a hideous carbuncle, depending on whom you ask.
Weston Park. This grand 5-hectare park, a mixture of mature landscaped trees and flower beds, includes a working bandstand, war memorial to the York and Lancaster Regiment's dead, tennis courts and water features. The park plays host to many events during summer.
If you exit through the gates at the tennis court end of the park, then you can access , a 5 hectare area of landscaping with a playground and bowling greens around a reservoir. Across the road is the much larger , which is a very pleasant mix of sloping parkland, meadow and woodland, and attracts much urban wildlife including kestrels, foxes and butterflies.
Like many industrial cities, Sheffield has its fair share of graffiti. However, unlike many other cities, there is much less of the "mindless vandalism" type and much more of the "probably counts as art" type. In fact, there are a lot of quality pieces of street art, murals and poetry by both established and unknown artists. The most prolific and well-known of these are Kid Acne, whose signature style is large and colourful written messages, using local slang and Yorkshire dialect, Mila K, who creates black and white psychedelic images often featuring the same cyborg woman in places that are hard to find or access, and Phlegm, whose trippy showpiece murals blend horror, cyberpunk and fantasy themes. All three have gone on to exhibit in galleries, and have worked around the UK and abroad. A piece by Banksy is yet to make an appearance.
By its very nature, a lot of street art is transitory, as weathering, building works, vandalism and deliberate removals all put paid to individual works. However, the scene in Sheffield is established enough that there are always new pieces to replace the old, in new and previously-unloved corners. And there are literally hundreds of works to discover across the city, if you have a decent pair of shoes or boots, and the patience and willing to tramp off the beaten path. Good areas to explore are the (around Division Street and Devonshire Green), the (south-west of the railway station, among Hallam University buildings) and the area between and .
Listed below are a selection of notable works and murals that are likely to be around for the foreseeable future, due to the fame of the artist or the fact that they were commissioned by the property owners. You can purchase paper prints of some of these in local shops, notably the Millennium Gallery gift shop, and the pop-up store in the Winter Garden.
3-7 Sidney Street. Colourful urban camouflage.
416-418 Sharrow Vale Road. Two locally-iconic animals.
Betty's Fish and Chips. An older couple enjoying an outdoor fish supper.
Biomembrane. Colourful interpretation of a cell membrane, as seen under a microscope.
Charles Darwin. Mural of the father of modern biology.
David Attenborough. Mural likeness of the much-loved presenter and television naturalist.
David Bowie. A touching, if unintentionally comical, non-likeness of Ziggy Stardust.
Hagglers Corner. Funky representation of the local area, the houses, shops and mosque.
Harry Brearley. Mural representation of the inventor of stainless steel.
I love you will u marry me. Addressed to an unrequited love. Originally spray painted, now lit up in neon at night.
In Praise of Air. 20 metre-high poetry.
Rare & Racy. The Reader decorates the front of Rare & Racy book shop. There is more Phlegm behind the shop on Westhill Lane.
Rutland Arms. Two different pieces decorate this pub.
Shakespeare's Pub. Vibrant colours on the side of the pub.
Snuff Mill Lane. Another unspeakably weird scene from the imagination of Phlegm.
Spaceman. Only visible when the e-cig shop is closed and the shutter down.
That's the spirit. A cheering message in bubble text.
The Riverside. A steampunk ship hunts the kraken.
The Snog. An elderly couple embracing passionately.
The Steelworker. 1980s brick mosaic of a typical working Sheffielder.
Westfield Terrace. Fog is grey, white and indistinct, just like the weather phenomenon. The Phlegm mural just up the street is an impressive representation of a city. On the other side of the street is the imposing façade of the former Mount Zion hospital chapel.
What If?. Gigantic poem that greets newcomers walking up from the station.
Within These Walls. Poem in metal letters adorning student digs.
Do
Navigate to: Attractions, Theatreland, Other theatres and cinemas, Spectator sports, Sports activities, Climbing, Golf, Walking Events Sheffield has year-round events, for a full list see Welcome to Sheffield.
The World Snooker Championship is held at Crucible Theatre, with games displayed on giant screens in Tudor Square. The next championship will be held from 18 April–4 May 2026. Plans have been made for a new World Snooker Championship venue next to the Crucible, connected to it by a pedestrian bridge. The new venue will seat three times as many spectators as the existing theatre.
Sheffield Food Festival. Held for three days over the spring bank holiday, the last weekend in May. Spread across Fargate, the Peace Gardens, Millennium Square and the Winter Garden. A culinary festival showcasing Sheffield's best offerings of food and drink with fresh hot food stalls, pop up bars, cookery master classes, chef demos and of course plenty of local produce sold. On Fargate, there is al fresco dining and drinking with a soundtrack of live music and DJ sets.
Yorkshire Cosplay Con. Held at the (Supertram: Arena) is this family-friendly costume convention, with star meets, stage events and loads of activities and games. Go as your favourite character from anime, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books or video games, or just turn up in your civvies and admire the hard work of everyone else!
Sheffield Doc/Fest. Held at the Showroom Workstation (behind the cinema) and other venues across the city. One of the biggest and best documentary film festivals in the world, with talks from high-profile speakers, special events, live music, parties and of course many film screenings, culminating in an awards ceremony.
Theatre in the Gardens. A summer season of open-air theatre in the atmospheric Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Bring a picnic, deckchairs and (depending on the weather) a cardy and waterproof!
Tramlines Festival. Sheffield's annual summer music festival. Tramlines attracts over 100 artists and groups, and is well-known for its cheap (and often free) concerts. The party atmosphere spills out into the streets as locals and visitors aim to enjoy themselves to the max. Don't miss the nightly after-parties held at club venues in town.
Festival of the Mind. Held in and around the (Supertram: University). A biannual celebration of ideas, incorporating the arts, philosophy, science and technology. There are talks, demonstrations, performances and exhibitions. The Ideas Bazaar brings together academics, students and artists for an interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge, concepts and creativity.
Last Laugh Comedy Festival. Held throughout October at the City Hall, Lyceum Theatre and other venues around town. Dozens of the UK's biggest stand-up names and fresh talent come together for a month of shows in the Steel City. Come and "grin up north".
Off The Shelf. Held for three weeks in October at venues across the city. Sheffield's annual literary festival is jointly run by the city's two universities, and brings together over 200 author events, book readings, poetry recitals, debates and workshops.
Steel City Beer & Cider Festival. Held at Kelham Island Museum. Sheffield's official CAMRA-supported drinking festival has been going for over 40 years. Sample a great many local and international beers, ciders and perries, while enjoying live music and tasty street food from local producers.
Sheffield Design Week. Held for one week in October. A "citywide celebration of design in all its forms", including graphic design, architecture, technology, manufacturing, fashion and film. Features exhibitions, workshops, talks, guided walks, installations and product launches.
After Dark. Held on bonfire night at (Supertram: Arena). Remember, remember, the fifth of November... Sheffield's annual Guy Fawkes celebrations with fireworks to music, a giant bonfire and funfair with plenty of festive food stalls. Bonfire lit: 7:30PM, fireworks: 9PM
Christmas Market. Held at Fargate and the Peace Gardens from mid-November until Christmas Eve. 50 traditional wooden cabins offering many gifts and treats including hand-made craft and seasonal food and drink. Come after dark and see the lights, have a go on the traditional rides, and bring your kids to meet the actual Father Christmas.
A&G Passenger Boats. Take a heritage cruise down the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal on board the LB Hardfleet. The less expensive trips go as far as Don Valley Stadium, while the more expensive ones run out to Tinsley Locks on the outskirts of Rotherham. Turn-up-and-go is possible, though booking is recommended. Santa specials run on select dates in December.
Heeley City Farm. Inner city farm and environmental visitor centre with a range of rare breed farm animals, poultry, little critters, gardens and vegetable plots. Go to meet and feed the animals, stay for a bite at the café. The farm is run by volunteers from the community and aims to promote understanding of food production and conserve endangered breeds.
Peak District: With Britain's first national park on their doorstep, it's no surprise that Sheffielders spend so much of their leisure time just beyond the city limits. A haven for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, off-roading, paragliding and watersports, the locals treat the Peak District like one big playground; you should do too! See the climbing and walking section below for a flavour of ideas, and the Go Next section for more detailed lists of activities and itineraries.
Second only to London's West End as the UK's greatest concentration of theatres and cinemas, Sheffield's Theatreland is based on and around the pedestrianised Tudor Square, in the east of the City Centre. The theatre scene is vibrant and extremely varied, with a number of production companies based in the city, including the acclaimed Sheffield Theatres. Plays and musicals destined for London often make their provincial debut in Sheffield, in 'try outs' designed to gauge audience response and iron out any production kinks. Theatreland's four cinemas each offer a unique viewing experience and very different programmes.
Crucible Theatre. An eclectic programme, with everything from musicals and panto, to contemporary plays and Shakespeare. As well as being Sheffield's largest and best-known theatre, the Crucible is also home to the widely televised annual World Snooker Championships.
Library Theatre. Shows productions by local amateur dramatics groups. Not accessible to wheelchair users.
Lyceum Theatre. This beautiful Grade-II* listed theatre dates from 1897, and was designed by famous Victorian theatre architect W.G.R. Sprague. The Lyceum offers Sheffield's best selection of productions alongside the Crucible, specialising in touring West End and Opera North productions, as well as locally-produced plays.
Montgomery Theatre. Methodist-run theatre which shows productions aimed at families and younger audiences. Not everything has a religious angle, but some shows obviously do.
Sheffield City Hall. A large and grand old concert hall mixing neoclassical and art-deco styles, which hosts theatre, music, opera, dance and comedy gigs. Arrive early to take in the building, including its portico, semi-circular rear and two stone lions and impressive decorated ceilings in the foyer and corridors. Not to be confused with the Town Hall, which is the seat of Sheffield City Council.
Studio Theatre. Intimate auditorium for smaller-scale and experimental productions.
Theatre Deli. This edgy venue is a hybrid of many uses: theatre, arts centre, tea room and community centre. Sheffield's home of leftfield drama productions and music gigs by night, host to tea parties, experimental art sessions and social events by day.
Curzon Cinema. A three-screen "boutique cinema" in a tastefully-restored Grade II-listed former bank, with several lounge areas and a popular rooftop bar.
Odeon Cinema. Slightly shabby multiplex showing all the latest cinema releases. You could certainly do better than go here, but it's cheap.
Showroom Cinema. Sheffield's largest indie cinema, showing a range of independent and foreign films, as well new and classic blockbusters. The art-deco building is a former car factory, built in the 1930s. Pleasant onsite bar and café serving meals and alcoholic and soft drinks.
The Light Cinema. The Light "cinema experience" shows big blockbusters, cinema classics, arts events and the fun concept of a "mystery screening", while you recline on comfortable and spacious armchairs. The café-bar has good views over The Moor and local area, and there are several restaurants next door.
Drama Studio. An atmospheric 200-seat theatre owned by the University of Sheffield in a converted Victorian church. Regular productions by both students and local drama groups, including a couple of foreign-language (mainly French and Spanish) productions throughout the year.
Lantern Theatre. Sheffield's oldest and smallest theatre, in a quiet Victorian residential neighbourhood.
Merlin Theatre. Small community theatre which specialises in autism- and disability-friendly productions. It is housed in an evocatively grey stone building, and benefits from some beautiful gardens to sit in before and after performances.
Abbeydale Picture House. A beautiful domed 1920s cinema, which fell into disrepair in the 1970s. Since early 2017, it has been the focus of a community restoration venture, which is ongoing, and has since begun a programme of events, including screenings of classic films and regular community antiques markets. This real Sheffield gem is far from looking its best due to decades of neglect, but its long-term future is brighter than it has been since 1975!
Cineworld IMAX Cinema. Multiplex cinema with 20 large screens - one of the busiest cinemas in the country and the largest Cineworld branch. Also includes an IMAX screen, showing films on a massive screen in 3D, and a 4DX screen, showing 3D films complete with motion and tactile effects.
Vue Cinema. Medium-sized multiplex; a good way to end a day's shopping in Meadowhall, otherwise is out of the way.
Clubs and live music venues are listed in the Drink section below.
As a spectator Sheffield is England's National City of Sport and is home to a number of top sporting teams.
Sheffield United FC. "The Blades" were relegated in 2024 and now play football in the Championship, the second tier. The stadium, capacity 32,700, is one mile south of the main railway station. Their women's team play in their own Championship, with home games at Technique Stadium in Chesterfield.
Sheffield Wednesday FC. "The Owls" were relegated in 2026 so they play soccer in League One, the third tier. The stadium normally has a capacity of 40,000, but is temporarily reduced to 34,800. It's 3 miles north of city centre along A61. In 1989 this stadium was the scene of the Hillsborough Disaster, a crowd-crush which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans, the 97th lingering death being in 2021. Note the memorial outside the Parkside Road entrance.
Sheffield Football Club. A minor team playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. Yes, we really are recommending you attend a non-league game of a team whose last major win was in 1904. So what makes Sheffield F.C. special and internationally-important? Only that it is the oldest association football club in the world, having been founded in 1857! FIFA marked the club's 150th anniversary in 2007, when SFC played special matches against Ajax and Inter Milan, which Pelé attended, at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield Eagles Rugby Football Club. The team plays in the Championship, which is the second tier in English rugby league. The 2017 season marked their return to a permanent home venue for the first time in several years.
Sheffield Giants American Football Club. The Giants play in the top division of the UK's fledgling American football league, and receive backing and players from the two universities' NFL teams.
Sheffield Hallam Hockey Club. One of the top hockey clubs in the UK, playing both men and women's teams at all levels both indoors and outdoors. The men's first team play in the English Hockey League (national/top tier), while the ladies' first team play in the Northern Hockey League (regional/second tier).
Sheffield Sharks. Mens' team that plays in the British Basketball League (national/top tier). They are the second most successful UK basketball team of all time.
Sheffield Steel Rollergirls. Women's amateur flat-track roller derby team that welcomes spectators and visiting skaters.
Sheffield Steelers. An ice hockey team that play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which is the top tier for the sport in the UK. There is a strong family ethos within the club, and the match atmosphere is rather Americanised, in great contrast to what you would find at local football.
Steeldogs play ice hockey in National League the second tier. Their home ink is IceSheffield next to the Don Valley Bowl.
Sheffield Tigers. The team competes in the Speedway Great Britain Premiership, which is the first tier of the sport in the United Kingdom.
The Inhuman League. Men's amateur flat-track roller derby team that play in the UK premier division. They were also crowned the best-dressed zombie sport team in 2013!
Greyhound racing. Enjoy a night of racing and, inevitably, gambling. Greyhound welfare is a priority for the venue. Facilities include a restaurant, plus fast food and bar options.
While there are many local sports centres in Sheffield, the following facilities are the cream of the crop, used by elite sportspeople and thousands of visitors alike:
English Institute of Sport. The UK's largest multisport training centre that has a huge number of facilities for all ages and abilities, from the general public up to Olympians and Paralympians. Hosts regional, national and international championships at all times of the year.
iceSheffield. A big indoor ice sports centre. Two Olympic-sized ice pads for ice sports and recreational skating, at all times of the day and night. Also on-site is the Altitude High Ropes Adventure, an adventure course across 34 obstacles, including rope bridges, scramble nets, balance beams, swinging logs, and a leap of faith. Visitors are supervised by instructors at all times.
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. A huge gymnasium and swimming centre with Olympic-sized pool, diving pool and fun pool with waves, flumes and lazy river. Regular age, disability and autism-friendly sessions available.
There are many good sites close by, especially where the Hallam Moors end in a gritstone scarp that forms the city's western boundary.
Rivelin Rocks. A gritstone edge favoured for the Needle, a free-standing pinnacle that stands in front of the main edge. The best time to visit is on fine autumn and winter days, when the rocks get plenty of sunshine.
Wharncliffe Crags. In the early days of British climbing, this was one of the most popular spots. Nowadays, it is overshadowed by the more famous sites in the Peak District, and is therefore often quiet. Climbs are tough and steep.
See Hathersage for Stanage Edge, Burbage Edge and Millstone Edge, on the scarp of the Hallam Moors. These are accessible by foot and public transport directly from Sheffield, but if you're climbing with gear you'll be parking on the Hathersage side.
There are also several indoor climbing centres for training or bad weather days. All offer memberships and one time 'turn up and go' sessions, as long as you can demonstrate that you are a competent and safe climber. Some also offer lessons and courses.
Awesome Walls. Over 300 climbing routes, two bouldering areas, and a space-themed kids' zone.
The Climbing Works. One of the world's largest bouldering centres, there is something for all ages and skillsets. The ambient music is great too.
The Foundry Climbing Centre. One of the UK's oldest indoor climbing centres, still highly regarded by climbers. Variety of routes, different 'rock' surfaces, and a kids' circuit.
Sport Sheffield Bouldering. Part of the University of Sheffield's sport facilities, this is a large wall for bouldering. The layout is 'reset' regularly, so repeat customers won't get bored.
There are also more than a dozen artificial public boulders scattered around the city, usually in public parks and free to use. Many are suitable for beginners and children. Local climbing enthusiasts have created a handy Google map, showing the locations of each boulder and details about their size and condition.
There are three municipal golf courses in Sheffield which, unlike private courses, are open to everyone at reasonably affordable prices. They follow the same fees system (see table).
Beauchief Golf Club. A varied , par 67 course, with sloping fairways and a stream to contend with. In the grounds of Beauchief Abbey (11th century) with views of the Peak District. Clubhouse equipped with bar on-site.
Birley Wood Golf Club. Large course on the plateau of a hill; there are views over the city. Accessible to beginners and children, while still being quite challenging. Golf buggies available to hire. There is a pub just off-site.
Tinsley Park Golf Club. 18-hole, par 70 parkland course measuring over lots of hills and slopes. Fairways and greens to challenge all ages and abilities. On-site clubhouse with bar and catering.
Walks Sturdy shoes are recommended on all walks, especially the more rural routes. Since Sheffield is extremely hilly, most walks have lots of ups and downs to them. Hiking boots would be ideal. Sheffield City Council has a portal for the complete list of the many interesting walks throughout the city's urban, suburban, industrial and rural landscapes, but here are six of the best:
Five Weirs Walk. 5 miles (8 km), can be extended or shortened. A walk between the city centre and Meadowhall along the River Don through many interesting neighbourhoods, including industrial wasteland, the still-living steelworks, Sheffield's Sikh temple, and the unexpected treats of nature reserves and ancient cemeteries. Kingfishers and otters can be seen, even in the heart of the city. Although you can catch the tram or train back into town from Meadowhall, more active travellers may wish to continue along the river into Tinsley and Rotherham, or else complete the "Blue Loop" by making the return journey on foot along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal.
Norfolk Heritage Trail. . A signed route linking a range of historical buildings and open spaces with connections to the Dukes of Norfolk. You will walk through City Road Cemetery, enjoy the expanses of Norfolk Park, see brilliant views of the city from the Cholera Monument and descend past Park Hill over the three-way tram junction and railway tracks, following the Supertram to the cathedral.
Sheffield Town Walk. . Very easy circular walk around the historic city centre, taking in well-known landmarks and lesser-travelled spots. From the cathedral, make for the Old Town Hall and grim dereliction of the Castlegate Quarter. Console yourself with the pretty barges and former grain stores of the canal basin. You'll then pass the modern law courts, offices and apartments lining the river Don until you reach Kelham Island, a trendy postindustrial residential neighbourhood with many great pubs. The route finishes with a tour of the Cathedral Quarter, through Paradise Square, via barrister firms and an old synagogue as you return to the cathedral.
Use OS Landranger Map 110 for this area. The Peak District further west is covered by OL1 at finer scale, but it cuts off the moors on the city's west boundary. Weather conditions can differ substantially from town; a light rain on Weston Park could be freezing sleet or snow on Stanage Edge, low cloud over The Moor means fog on the moors, etc, etc. Pack for where you're going, not for where you are.
Grenoside to Whitley walk. Native woodland, dells and pretty villages make this an easy circular walk around the countryside north of Sheffield. Even better, it starts and finishes at a pub. Reyt good!
Rivelin Valley Nature Trail. , shorter circular walks at either end possible. Where the city meets the Peak District. Walk alongside the rushing waters of the river Rivelin, passing numerous old water mills, mill ponds and other scenic spots. This popular conservation area is home to a great deal of wildlife. Several well-maintained footpaths and bridleways make this an excellent choice for families, with very easy walking routes. The energetic may muster themselves to climb the very steep path all the way to on Redmires Road - the regular number 51 will take you back into town.
Wyming Brook Nature Reserve and Stanage Edge. This gorge is now a protected nature reserve. A rocky footpath leads you from the car park down along the bottom of the gorge, crossing the stream several times, to a reservoir. There are many possible walks of varying lengths you could try, but one suggestion is to walk the 2½ miles (4 km) to Stanage Edge. From Wyming Brook car park, head west along Redmires Road, around the reservoirs and up the medium incline until the Peak District opens up in all its majesty in front of you. The edge is flat and easy to walk, with superb panoramic views all around. Many will turn back at this point, but you could equally walk along Stanage as far as you want, or descend the steep 2½ miles (4 km) down to the handsome Derbyshire village of Hathersage. Cream teas or a pint in the pub await you there, and you can return to Sheffield by train. The entire spectacular Lodge Moor to Hathersage station route is 6⅓ miles (10 km) over varied and undulating terrain.
Learn
There are two major universities in Sheffield, both of which attract large numbers of international students from all over the world:
University of Sheffield. An older "red brick" university founded in 1828, which became a university in 1905. It belongs to the prestigious Russell Group of top British universities, and is one of the top 100 universities in the world. With around 28,000 students, it has strengths in the sciences, engineering, medicine, information management, architecture, business and languages. It spans the western part of the city centre and most of the neighbourhood of Broomhill. Its student's union has been named as the best in the country for ten consecutive years since 2009, and the University's student experience, which focuses on atmosphere, community and social life has been consistently voted into the top three every year since 2013 (Times Higher Education).
Sheffield Hallam University. An ex-polytechnic founded in 1843 and made a university in 1992, which focuses on engineering, nursing, midwifery, art, management and computing courses. It has two large campuses, one in the Cultural Industries Quarter of the city centre, and the other near Ecclesall Road. It is also one of the largest universities in the country, with over 30,000 students.
Additionally, the Sheffield College offers a huge selection of pre-university and vocational courses, and is one of the largest further education establishments in the country.
Buy
Navigate to: Meadowhall, Crystal Peaks, Antiques Quarter, London Road, Other neighbourhoods
Sheffield has two main shopping destinations. The city centre is varied and walkable. It has a good range of high street and independent stores. The out-of-town Meadowhall shopping centre is Yorkshire's largest and has a huge range of shops. Beyond these two destinations, Sheffield's other shopping experiences range from suburban high streets to local shopping centres and themed quarters.
City centre The central area packs in a lot of national chains and independent shops. Visitors will however find there are fewer big name brands than might be expected, due to Meadowhall's proximity and size. Much of the city centre is pedestrianised, and this makes an easy and pleasant environment to walk around. The main axis of central shopping destinations runs in a gently curving line from the Moor in the south-west, via Fargate and surrounds to Castlegate in the north-east. In the west of the city centre, the Devonshire Quarter is a hub of independent boutiques.
The Moor The Moor is a broad pedestrianised street dating from the 1950s, that is undergoing regeneration in the mid-2010s, and will become part of a larger central retail quarter in the early 2020s. It is now a cool mix of mid-century functionalism and modernity, and is the home of several landmark stores, a cinema, chain restaurants and cafés, and the city's central market. While much of the street is now finished and looking great, building work is ongoing in the immediate surroundings.
Although it is a bit of a distance from the nearest tram stops, most city bus routes serve the area on Charter Row, Cumberland Street, Eyre Street and Furnival Gate. Alternatively, there is a large multistorey car park on Eyre Street.
Atkinson's. Sheffield's very own independent and idiosyncratic family department store has been on the Moor since 1872, although the original building was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. It sells home items including furniture and kitchen gear, as well as fashion, cosmetics and fragrances. Atkinson's is also home to its own restaurant, an Italian coffee shop and a tea room.
Fashion Brand. Independent women's fashion and clothing store.
Record Junkee. Large and varied selection of new and second-hand vinyl records. At the same address, Music Junkee sells a vast array of new and second-hand musical instruments, and audio, lighting, mixing and software equipment for DJs. The stock is faultless, but be prepared for dodgy customer service.
The Moor Market. Sheffield's snazzy indoor market hall opened in 2013, moving from its historic location in Castlegate. The market has more than 90 stalls, and has become a foodie mecca, mixing traditional local food and drink producers with specialist artisans, delis and other stalls selling international items. Alongside this, there are haberdashery, clothing, furnishing and jewellery sellers.
Other significant shops include three national department stores (Debenhams, Primark and TJ Hughes), plus an Ann Summers sex shop, Blacks outdoor gear, Burton / Dorothy Perkins clothing, Deichmann footwear, Forbidden Planet comic book store (just off the Moor on Matilda Street), and a Sainsbury's supermarket.
Pinstone Street, Furnival Gate, Barkers Pool
Directly north of The Moor is a rather hideous collection of bus-choked streets with semi-abandoned shops and offices that for now appear to have been left behind by all the regeneration. Of the shops that remain, there is little to write home about. Boring but useful services such as building societies and opticians rub shoulders with charity shops. The only thing which really should tempt you here is the trio of great takeaways: Béres pork sandwich shop, Fanoush falafel and salads, and Street Food Chef burrito bar, each of which have become Sheffield institutions. See individual listings in the Eat section of this page.
Naked Ape. Outdoor equipment store. Good for Vibram Fivefingers shoes, outdoor clothing and backpacks.
As you approach the Town Hall, the buildings get older and smarter, and the shops get better. There are three jewellers, plus a JD Sports, Toni&Guy salon and a Budgens supermarket.
La Biblioteka. Independent shop that stocks books and periodicals relating to travel, architecture, fashion, food, art and literature. Also hosts literary events.
If you do a sort of left U-turn just before the Town Hall, you'll find Barkers Pool. Dominated by its war memorial, this square has the City Hall theatre on one side and a large John Lewis department store on the other, as well as smaller shops, including a Google Digital Garage, Patisserie Valerie and unique home furnishings store Stone the Crows! Barkers Pool connects to the Devonshire Quarter to the west.
This pleasant cobbled street of quirky independent shops runs along the north side of the Town Hall towards Tudor Square. Here, you can see chic brown stone buildings, the Sheffield "TARDIS" and Montgomery Theatre. Surrey Street also has the city's tourist information centre and an entrance to the Winter Garden / Millennium Gallery. The nearest Supertram station is Cathedral.
F.G. Thomas. A rarity in this day and age - a shop dedicated to specialist pens of all kinds. Naturally, they also stock ink, fancy writing paper and blank diaries.
James Hadley Fine Diamonds. Family-run jewellers, specialists in diamonds, though they also work with other precious stones, silver and watches.
Lockwoods Florists. A long-established florist and bouquet delivery service. All flowers are fresh, and sold on day of delivery.
Sheffield Makers. A fabulous little aladdin's cave of arts and craft, all made in Sheffield. Together with Sheffield Scene (see below), this is one of the best places in town to buy unique and interesting souvenirs and presents.
Wicker Herbal Stores. An attractive herbal medicine and health food shop, with the vibe and appearance of an old-fashioned apothecary.
Fargate is Sheffield's pedestrianised main shopping street, which runs from the Town Hall at the top to the Anglican cathedral and High Street at the bottom, where trams and buses stop. There are several buildings of architectural note here, including the Grade-II listed Carmel House. There are often specialist markets on Fargate, with past themes as diverse as arts and craft, gardening, continental, and Middle Eastern bazaar. This street is also the hub of Sheffield Food Festival (in May) and the popular Christmas Market (mid-November to December), when log cabins run its length and lights glitter between the buildings.
Many chain retailers can be found on Fargate, including fashion stores Foot Locker, H&M, New Look, Next and Topshop / Topman, jewellers H. Samuel and Pandora, cosmeticians KIKO and Lush, chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat and Thorntons, department store Marks & Spencer, and newsagent and bookseller WHSmith.
Just off Fargate, Chapel Walk is a narrow pedestrian alley leading to Norfolk Street, that has a number of specialist stores and cosy cafés. Scaffolding is (March 2018) making the street look unsightly and out of use, but Chapel Walk is still very much open for business. Of note are Claire's accessories, a Dr. Martens shop, and a couple of gift shops.
Orchard Square Orchard Square is a precinct between Fargate and Church Street. It is home to a number of fashion outlets on the main square and specialist shops in the Craft Workshop upstairs. Among Sheffielders, especially those who grew up in the city, it is best known for its mechanical clock, which chimes at every quarter of an hour and opens to reveal the moving figures of cutlers from the olden days. To adult visitors, this will seem a bit naff, but little (and big!) kids love it.
Orchard Square is very easily accessible from City Hall Supertram station, and lots of bus routes stop on Leopold Street just outside.
Bear Tree Records. An offshoot of the Blackest Rainbow record label, this is an independent record shop, specialising in vinyl. They stock new releases, reissues and a small number of second-hand records that are checked for quality.
Michael Spencer. Long-running jewellers that manufactures its own products with all kinds of precious stones, as well as selling and repairing others. They also repair watches.
Q Tattoo. Tattoo parlour that offers all styles, including freestyle. Also does touch-ups. Walk-up service and bookings.
Wargames Emporium. Most wargames and modelling products you can think of, including paints, scenery, dice and miniatures. Also stocks an eclectic range of board games, card games (e.g. Magic: The Gathering) and accessories relating to RPGs (e.g. Dungeons and Dragons).
Chain stores include discount department store TK Maxx, clothing retailers Evans, Fat Face and River Island, shoe shops Clarks and Schuh, cosmetics specialists The Body Shop and The Perfume Shop, and a Waterstones book shop.
The High Street is the broad avenue where buses and trams run downhill from the cathedral towards Ponds Forge and Park Hill. Despite a fabulous mix of architectural styles and three Supertram stations (Cathedral, Castle Square and Fitzalan Square), it is mainly a mix of fast food restaurants and inexpensive retail giants such as Bonmarché, Boots, HMV, Poundland and Sports Direct. There are also some independent shops, but little to recommend among them. Beyond Castle Square, the retail more or less dries up, even while the architecture remains impressive.
In the rest of the Castlegate Quarter, north of the High Street up to the river Don, the situation looks grimmer. From the middle ages until 2013, this was the location of Sheffield's central market hall; this has now moved to the flourishing Moor as part of a general westward shift of activity in the city centre. This means that what was the Castle Market building has been demolished, leaving a whacking great hole surrounded by 'temporary' hoarding. The surrounding streets seem to be on a similar downward spiral, with most of the buildings looking sad and neglected.
However, to pass by Castlegate based on how it looks would be to miss out on a wide selection of bargain stores and an extremely diverse cheap restaurant scene all within spitting distance of lots of hotels. Castlegate is actually perfect for travellers on a budget. Besides, redevelopment plans to create a new landscaped riverside park, and the district's exceedingly long history as Sheffield's commercial centre may well combine to force a change in fortunes in the near future. Useful shops include Argos, B&M Bargains, Wilko, another Poundland less than 400 metres from the one mentioned above, the weirdly-named cheap toiletries store Savers, and a Co-op food supermarket.
King Street Market. Monday sees an antiques and bric-a-brac market, while Wednesday is second-hand clothes day. The rest of the week is a more general street market.
Sheffield Space Centre. Geek central. A home of comic books, anime, manga, sci-fi and fantasy books, figurines and other collectables. Also stocks a range of tabletop role-playing games.
Based around Devonshire Green is one of Sheffield's indie areas. Its strategic location between the two universities means that a huge number of students and graduates live in the neighbourhood. Devonshire Street runs along Dev Green and has a mix of restaurants and gift boutiques, while Division Street has trendy stores and relaxed watering holes. Parallel to these are the frantic bars and clubs of Glossop Road and West Street. Devonshire is a good place to come for a pamper, as there are a number of hairdressers, salons, Turkish barbers and even a Victorian hamam. There are also a growing number of Chinese businesses, reflecting that community's increasing importance to Sheffield's population and economy. The area is served by the Supertram at West Street.
Balance. A disconcerting mix of clothes, posters and bongs, which sums up Devonshire surprisingly well.
Cakes R Us. A garish Union Jack façade welcomes you to a brilliant Chinese dessert and cake shop. You can order for collection or delivery, or try to squeeze into one of very few tables.
Collard Manson. Designer of bags and wallets that also stocks clothing, shoes, leather goods and jewellery.
Cow. Designer and vintage clothes at reasonable prices.
Mint. Colourful clothing, accessories and incense shop.
MoonKo. Interesting blend of gifts; plants, prints, cards, clothes and an assortment of other appealing items.
Oriental Food. Good selection of Chinese food products; a bit on the expensive side.
Party On. Party and costume shop with another branch in Broomhill. 24 hour returns policy. Upstairs is Rocky Horrors, which is a well-known gothic and punk clothing store.
Plantology Floral Creations. Friendly little florist that sells bouquets themed after Sheffield parks, plus a cool cactus and houseplant selection.
Simmonite. A butcher and fishmonger that is very popular with local students due to its impressive range of meat, seafood, deli items, prepared hot and cold snacks and bottled beers, at affordable prices.
Sinclairs of Sheffield. Long-established family-run luxury clothing, fashion accessories and leather goods shop.
Syd and Mallory's Emporium. Handmade and hand-printed grunge / psychedelic clothing label with its own shop.
The Forum. A small indoor collection of stylish boutiques, including vintage clothing stores, a skateboard shop, and tattoo and piercings parlours.
Wa Ding Oriental Supermarket and Canteen. Futuristically décored Chinese supermarket selling a wide range of fresh and dry goods from East Asia. It also has a canteen serving cheap and authentic food.
Within Reason. Super-friendly gift shop. The kind of place you always come away from with that one item you're sure you "need in your life", but probably don't.
Aside from a few fast food and coffee outlets, there are almost no chain stores in Devonshire, other than a largish Tesco Metro supermarket on West Street, and a small Sainsbury's Local on Division Street.
Meadowhall. One of the largest indoor shopping centres in the country, with 280 high-end and chain stores receiving over 30 million visitors every year. Given its size and pre-eminent status in the region, the centre is always busy and often crowded, and it gets positively manic before Christmas. Indeed, many Sheffielders refer to it as "Meadowhell". It is certainly a less pleasant environment than the city centre, but has a more complete retail experience. Anchor stores are Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Primark and USC. Meadowhall has the only Sheffield presence of several brands including Apple, Disney Store, French Connection, Hollister, Lacoste, Superdry and Victoria's Secret. A zone called The Lanes is dedicated to independent and unique shops. The Oasis Dining Quarter is a very large food court offering a range of cuisines with mainly chain restaurants and fast food outlets. Also inside is a ten-screen cinema (see above) plus indoor and outdoor play areas for young children.
Crystal Peaks. A smaller shopping centre than Meadowhall with around 100 shops, and more of a locals' place. Despite the cool name, there is not really anything here that you couldn't find elsewhere in Sheffield, and if you aren't in the area, it's probably not worth the surprisingly long ride on the tram or bus. That said, visitors to the south-east of the city will certainly find it useful.
Antiques Quarter With well over 60 participating businesses, is the place for antiques, salvage, arts and crafts, rare books and records, specialist services, and retro and vintage clothing. The quarter covers the neighbourhoods of Heeley, Nether Edge and Sharrow, and access is easiest by bus routes 20, 25, 53, 74, 76, 87, 97 and 98, which all stop on Abbeydale Road. It would be impossible to list even a selection of the businesses of the quarter here, and would be unnecessarily duplicative since the official website does a brilliant job of listing each business already, splitting them by useful categories.
There is a programme of regular events throughout the year, including the Pedlar's Corner car boot sale and flea market, which takes place at Abbeydale Picture House every first Sunday of the month between 10AM and 3PM. If you're feeling peckish or thirsty, there are a great many quality cafés and bars which all follow the retro theme in one way or another. As you explore the area, look out for a number of street art pieces.
Sheffield Auction Gallery. Established in 1840, this is the oldest auctioneer in the region. Antiques and collectable auctions are every fortnight, while general auctions take place once a month, and there are other specialist auctions every week.
London Road Although London Road overlaps to some extent with the Antiques Quarter, in many ways it should be considered as its own distinct shopping area. It runs south from St Mary's Gate on the Inner Ring Road for almost a mile, and is served by bus routes 10, 20, 25, 33, 43, 53, 294 and X17. There was an aborted attempt by the council to turn the road into a Chinatown, but this was poorly received by residents as it does not properly reflect the area's demographics. This is easily the most multicultural part of Sheffield, where British Turks, Iranians, Italians, Portuguese, Kurds, Poles, Somalis, Chinese, Pakistanis, Arabs and Kosovars all rub shoulders. It is above all known for its restaurants, some of which are listed under the Eat section of this article, but this is also a great place to buy foods and products from all over the world. In the area is Sheffield's Central Mosque which welcomes visitors by appointment, but has a rather long waiting list.
Chinese Fireworks Company Limited. Massive selection of fireworks, sparklers and display packs. "Firework season" in the UK is from just before Bonfire Night (5 November) to just after Chinese New Year
Continental Cash and Carry. Halal meat, poultry and fish, plus fruit and vegetables.
Ozmen International. Turkish-owned international supermarket. Great for world foods in general, but turcophiles will be in heaven.
Pear Thai Supermarket. A specialist in Thai and pan-Asian produce.
P.E.S. Deli Direct Polski Sklep. Polish delicatessen.
Sheffield Transport Models. Specialists in diecast, airfix and other modelling products.
The local also merits a look, if only for its really unusual orientalist architecture. Called "the pagoda" locally, it was a cinema in the 1920s, later became a ballroom, and is now perhaps the coolest supermarket building in England. Disappointingly, the inside is just an ordinary Sainsbury's with boring old aisles and checkouts.
Broomhill Once described by Poet Laureate John Betjeman as "the prettiest suburb in England", Broomhill is a fairly self-contained area: a pleasant mix of student stomping ground and well-heeled residential neighbourhood. Only a mile from the city centre, it has an interesting range of shops from inexpensive to trendy along a high street which mixes both charming and humdrum buildings together. Music lovers should make time for the impressive second-hand vinyl and CD collection at Record Collector on Fulwood Road. Sci-Fi enthusiasts should head to Galaxy 4 on Glossop Road, which has a particularly fine selection of Doctor Who merchandise. Served by bus routes 51, 52 and 120.
Ecclesall Road's independent fashion shops, bars, cafés and restaurants run from the inner ring road for over a mile out to the bohemian Hunters Bar. Served by bus routes 65, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 215 and 272. Hillsborough has a large shopping area comparable in size and scope to that of many town centres around England. The high street has all the old-fashioned essentials including a butcher, a baker and a, erm, hardware store. The Hillsborough Barracks outdoor shopping centre contains a variety of local and chain stores and a Morrisons hypermarket. Supertram: Hillsborough Interchange. Although international food shops can be found all over Sheffield, areas of particular note include Attercliffe and Darnall for South Asian, Burngreave for African and West Indian and Sharrow for Arabic, Chinese, Eastern European and Turkish.
Eat
Local specialities This is a working class industrial city, so its native foodstuffs reflect this in their simplicity and, often, their factory origin.
The unquestioned star of the culinary show in Sheffield is Henderson's Relish, produced in the Steel City since 1885. Known variously as Hendo's, the black stuff, relly or just Yorkshire sauce, this is a very dark brown spicy liquid condiment which can be added to any number of dishes as a flavour enhancer: fish and chips, casserole, anything with melted cheese, and even cocktails. Despite being practically unknown elsewhere, in South Yorkshire you will see Hendo's in all good chippies, in most of the city's gift shops, and in supermarkets. The relish is a beloved icon of Sheffield, and features on postcards, artwork and T-shirts alongside the city's physical landmarks. A word of warning: under no circumstances should you compare Henderson's relish to the more famous Worcestershire sauce; a London MP was foolish enough to state the former was an imitator of the latter, and the backlash was so severe that he was forced to visit the Henderson's factory and offer a grovelling apology to incensed Sheffielders, who will defend their sauce to the death, if necessary.
You'll also want to put Hendo's on Sheffield fishcakes, which are different to the "mashed-up fish baked in breadcrumbs" that the rest of the country knows as fishcakes. Local fishcakes are whole fillets of cod or haddock, wrapped in potatoes (tatters) and deep fried in batter. Look for them in chippies (sometimes called frieries in Sheffield) and fishmongers.
Another local favourite is the pork sandwich: hot roast pork, stuffing, crackling and apple sauce crammed into a thickly buttered breadcake, i.e. a bread roll. While not native to Sheffield, this snack has been so heartily adopted by Sheffielders that there is a citywide chain of shops where all you can buy is pork sandwiches!
You're in God's own county, so expect to see Yorkshire puddings and plenty of savoury pies on the menu. For the latter, any pub which serves food or one of two local bakery chains - Cooplands and Staniforths, which seem to have shops everywhere - are the places to be.
Finally, Sheffield has a great tradition of producing snacks and confectionery. Internationally-known brands Bassetts and Thorntons originate here, and the former still make their liquorice allsorts and jelly babies in their original factory in Hillsborough. Less well-known are Yorkshire Crisps, made in several varieties including Henderson's Relish flavour - more conventional flavours are available. Another imaginative brand name is the Sheffield Honey Company, which really does produce excellent artisan honey, both natural and paired with locally-available natural flavourings such as heather and blossom. Each jar tells you the exact location of the hives your honey was made - there are colonies throughout the city - so you can feasibly go and thank the bees if so inclined. No list of sweet treats would be complete without ice cream, and the award-winning Our Cow Molly stands apart from the herd of ice cream makers as something rather special. The creamery, which you can visit, is next door to the fields in which their cows roam, and the resulting ice cream is intensely flavoursome and fresh. Sheffield's proximity to the Peak District means that almond-and-jam-based Bakewell tarts and puddings are readily available, although you are still encouraged to visit the multitude of competing shops all claiming to be the original in Bakewell.
There are many good, cheap places to eat in and around the city. If you would rather stay in and still want to have a taste of what Sheffield has to offer, you can always opt for food from one of the takeaways in Sheffield .
Béres. The city's very own chain of "pork sandwich shops" was founded by Sandor Béres from Budapest and his local wife Eileen in 1956. The shops make and sell the famous Sheffield pork sandwich as described above, along with a selection of tasty pies. Proper northern food! There are also other branches outside the city centre.
Coopland's Bakery. Cheap as chips local bakery chain, offering a more characterful and authentically Yorkshire experience than national rival Greggs.
Spoilt For Choice. Freshly prepared breakfast menu, sandwiches, soups, stews, salads, cakes, and barista-made coffee.
Woody's Sandwich Bar. One of the city's best Sandwich shacks, with queues out the door at weekends. Handmade sandwiches, like the legendary 'Full Monty' breakfast sandwich to hot baguettes with fillings. Also dishes out some yummy freshly baked cookies.
The Interval. A café-bar with a much more relaxed atmosphere than the main student bar (Bar One) downstairs, the Interval is open to the public all day and serves a good value menu of snacks and meals. Also popular for the meat and vegetarian hangover breakfasts and Sunday lunches at the weekend.
Appetito. Authentic Italian café at prices well within the budgets of local students. Great breakfast and lunch menus, daily specials board, quality coffee, home-baked breads and pastries.
Aslan's. Infamous Halal kebab shop that serves piles of salty meat and the greasiest pizzas in town. See if you can find yourself (or get yourself) on the walls packed with photographs of customers.
Crucible Corner. Traditional and modern British dishes.
Fat Cat. Excellent pub food, Sunday meals and wide choice of real ale. Kelham Island Brewery is based here.
Silversmiths. A good quality restaurant specialising in British produce. Famous for its Tuesday Pie Nights, and having been on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Also serves pre-theatre menus well suited to its position near to the Crucible and Lyceum theatres.
Browns. Chain brasserie, high quality British cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Open for breakfast.
SoSiam by Baan Thai. Excellent Thai restaurant.
BB's. A long standing favourite of families and students in Sheffield's city centre. A small family run business that does decent Italian food and is reasonably priced. Bring your own beer and wine.
Cubana Tapas Bar. Tapas bar formerly on Trippet Lane, moved here in 2014. Live Cuban music most nights, large range of tapas, salsa & tango classes.
Efes. Authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The fact that it gets frequented by some of Sheffield's Turkish residents shows the food is the 'real deal'.
Sushi Express. Excellent value and tasty sushi restaurant offering an extensive range of sushi, sashimi, Bento boxes and soups. All made fresh to order.
Nonna's. Trattoria, gets good reviews for food and service. They also have a branch in Chesterfield.
La Vaca. Grill house with good filling South America style steaks.
The Old Vicarage. Probably the best restaurant in the county, run by Tessa Bramley, in a richly furnished Victorian manse.
Brocco Kitchen. Michelin guide listed restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Serves modern British food with a nod to Nordic flavours.
Our Cow Molly ice cream parlour. A dairy farm where you can meet the cows who produce the milk that goes into nearly 30 flavours of ice cream, many of which can only be sampled in their parlour.
Drink
The city is known for its wide variety of traditional pubs, most of which serve local ales. The nightlife is lively: there are almost 30 nightclubs, numerous bars and restaurants to suit all budgets, six theatres and three city-centre cinemas.
Sheffield is well known for its large number of pubs. From dark and Victorian to sleek and modern; and from traditional real-ale haven to noisy standing-room-only bar, you can easily find a pub in Sheffield to suit your taste in beer, music and company. However, most city-centre pubs are more oriented towards fast drinking students and clubbers; on West Street in particular (linking the university with the city centre) you will find many pubs and bars which during the week become busy with students and younger customers. Finding quieter pubs in which to sample something other than the usual chain-pub lager requires delving a little deeper beneath the surface.
For the unimaginative, you'll find the usual Wetherspoons and All Bar One chain pubs, throughout the city centre serving cheap lager, hand-pulled ales and reasonably priced food in a smoke (and atmosphere) free environment.
Hybrid bar-pubs manage to maintain something of a pub atmosphere, and sell real ale at reasonable prices, while still pulling in the crowds. They are used as much by people who want a good range of beer at good prices, as by "yoofs" after a good night out. They are probably doing a good job of persuading at least some lager drinkers to switch to traditional ales.
The Washington. Great music pub, used to be owned by Nick Banks from the band "Pulp". Relaxed atmosphere, varied DJ nights. Open till 1AM every night except Sunday till midnight. Large beer garden and smoking area at the back of the pub.
The Frog & Parrot. A popular pub with a long history, in days gone by offering what it claimed as the strongest ale legally served in a British pub. These days it offers food and locally-brewed real ales and often features live music.
The Bessemer. A modern, quite upmarket pub with a strong focus on its traditional English menu.
Sheffield Tap. Offers a vast selection of beers from cask, tap and bottle that could rival any other Sheffield venue. Surroundings are thankfully lacking in the usually ubiquitous flat screen television. The only background music are the trains arriving and departing the station. The entrance is equally unpretentious so may be hard to find - it's at the north end of the station near the pedestrian crossing to the bus station, with another entrance straight onto platform 1.
Porter Cottage. Indie jukebox, normal ales but amazing atmosphere. Landlady Mandy will know your life history by the time you leave. Get in early to get a decent table.
Sheffield's real gems are the handful of surviving traditional pubs and free houses, which generally have more room to sit down, quieter (or no) music, and real hand pumped ales.
The Brown Bear. Offers what must be the cheapest beer in the city and an incredible mix of both theatre goers and local people.
The Red Deer. Another civilised dive with good range of beers, warming fireplaces, a small garden and friendly cats.
The Old Queen's Head. Occupies the oldest domestic building in the city, dating from 1475 (according to some records).
Fagan. Is a cosy chintz-free Irish pub with regular live music.
The Grapes (Flynns). May offer impromptu Irish or Folk music in the back room.
The Bath Hotel. Is tiny, free of piped music and friendly.
There are more warm and welcoming traditional pubs in Sheffield's suburbs. North-west of the city centre, in Crookes and Walkley (popular with students as places to live) are:
The Hallamshire House. Is reputedly the only pub in Sheffield still housing a full-sized snooker table.
The Walkley Cottage. Is friendly with good range of beer and good food.
Noah's Ark. Has a good atmosphere and mix of students and locals.
The Nottingham House. As it is better known has been extensively refurbished. Catering for locals, visitors and students, it really is a pub worth a visit. Home-made pies are a speciality and real ales are aplenty. Occasional live music on Thursday nights with acts from near and far. Pool table is very good value at 50p.
The Cobden View. This small and charming independent pub serves great local ales until approx. 1AM most nights, and is always bursting with atmosphere and friendly locals.
Real ale fans from great distances come to "do" the real ale trail of Sheffield's Upper Don Valley (known locally as "the Valley of Beer"), a route stretching from near the city centre out to Hillsborough. The trail calls at:
The Kelham Island Tavern. Has won best Pub in Britain from Camra twice.
The Fat Cat. Also a great stop for Sunday lunch (see "Eat" listing).
The Wellington. Used to be known as Cask and Cutler.
The New Barrack Tavern. A pub owned by Castle Rock and full of Character.
The Harlequin. The latest addition to The Ale Trail, more open plan and possibly less off putting to people who aren't used to real ale pubs than the others might seem.
The trail roughly parallels the tram route from the city centre to Hillsborough, so getting there and back is easy. All these pubs have a huge range of British draught real ales (some brewed by the pub) and most have a selection of bottle-conditioned beers from continental Europe (especially Belgium).
The Broadfield. A total refurb in December 2011 has finally seen this pub reach its full potential. The pub is now a decent size and serves a huge range of local (and further afield) cask ales, home-made pies and sausages, and stocks a whisky from every distillery in Scotland. Forget the City centre and head out to the suburbs!
The Sheaf View. Is a real ale hotspot. Famous for serving the south side of Sheffield with the local breweries and other guest ales with knowledgeable bar staff. Has a reputation for friendly Sheffield folk to relax there after hiking and climbing in The Peak. So called because of possible view of the Sheaf River although now obstructed by newer buildings.
Bars Visiting Sheffield, you might be led to believe that students go out every day of the week. With some 55,000 university students this is hardly surprising. These are some of the more popular pubs.
The Common Room. Large pool/sports bar. 12 American pool tables. Cheap drinks weekdays between 5 and 8 and a good cocktail menu.
Forum. Unique trendy café/bar (and shops) open late every night. Amazing outdoor patio on the Devonshire Green.
Bungalows & Bears. Retro-chic bar with fantastic atmosphere, amazing music and great veggie food menu. 2nd hand "retro" clothing market on a Sunday. Free board games (e.g., Tequila Jenga). Frequented by the Arctic Monkeys, trendies and students alike.
The Green Room. Compact bar, great range of bottled beers, great live indie music on a Wednesday.
The Wick at Both Ends. Relaxed bar with comfy seating, and a fantastic drinks selection including cocktails served in watering cans. Popular with those avoiding the student pub crawls.
Revolution. Standard entry in the popular vodka bar chain. Popular with "orange" good-looking people but don't let that put you off, good range of drinks and affordable food menu by day. Decent DJ sets and adjoining pool room.
Yates. Poor-performer (even for a chain bar). Avoid.
Crystal. Expensive bar, amazing décor. Anti-student (except Wednesdays).
Ask. Student-friendly during week, tacky by weekend.
Bar One. The main bar of the University of Sheffield Student Union, which is understandably always full of students, and which is also one of the most profitable union bars anywhere in the country. In the evenings you will need a Sheffield student card (or a friend who has one to sign you in) to gain admission. Cheapest drinks on a Sunday. Large, cheap, pool room. Also serves inexpensive, wholesome food (not everything comes with chips!).
Interval. The second bar of the University of Sheffield Student Union, offering a more cosmopolitan atmosphere with local real ales, wine and food.
The Hubs. It looks like a big, silver, flying spaceship, close to the train station. Not as big or impressive on the inside as it is on the outside, a relatively small union bar.
Cavendish. Serves decent food; a cheap student pub/bar with pool tables.
The York. Totally re-invented in September 2010, now an amazing pub serving great food and a decent range of local real ales.
Fox and Duck. An off-campus pub owned by the University of Sheffield Student Union but frequented by a more mixed crowd.
The Harley. Plays host to cutting edge live music and varied club nights.
Walkabout. Australia themed bar. Very popular, fairly cheap, but can get a bit claustrophobic. Better as calling point on a pub crawl than a place for staying in.
Gay bars There are a small number of gay bars, clubs and gay-nights, whose locations and names change on a regular basis.
Clubs & live venues Unlike Sheffield's dense strip of student bars along West Street, the city's night clubs are more spread out around the city centre, especially in the former industrial buildings. The most well known are:
Sheffield O2 Academy. It's in the centre of the city, and offers live music from popular artists and occasional club nights.
Corporation. A dirty rock club with dirty cheap vodka, just the way the locals like it. There's 'Skool Disco' every Wednesday night (free admission in school uniform) and metal/goth on Saturdays. Fridays is skate and metal downstairs and something of a mix of dance, indie and classics upstairs. Mondays are popular with the student crowd, playing music everyone seems to know.
Tank. A popular 'underground' house music venue. Open on Fridays and Saturdays until 5AM, with a student night held on Mondays.
The Viper Rooms. Four-room nightclub with the feel of a cocktail bar. Dress code applies at weekends, but is relaxed during the week to cater for the student crowd.
Code. New club mostly hosting student nights and touring DJs.
West Street Live. Live venue (leans towards unsigned artists) that doubles as a bar-club, with expansive dancefloor and a late licence. Known to locals and students alike for its cheap drinks offers, and the flyers covering the walls of the venue advertising said offers.
The Night Kitchen. Somewhat more difficult of a find for the visitor due to its location outside of the city centre, this trendy club occupying an old cutlery factory was named as one of the ten best in the country by The Guardian in 2015.
Sheffield Hallam University Student's Union. This unusually shaped steel building is a bar downstairs and a club upstairs with four rooms playing different music genres.
Foundry and Fusion. A fiercely active union night club that packs in students from Tu-Sa. The Tuesday Club is a surprisingly pricey hip-hop and drum & bass night that pulls in many big names. Roar on Wednesday night is big on cheap alcopops and inebriated sports teams. Friday is Space in the Octagon, a "chart" night, while visiting club nights and Climax, South Yorkshire's biggest gay club rotate monthly in the Fusion/Foundry. Saturdays is Pop Tarts, hosting 2 rooms (one is 1960s, 70s and "rock and roll", the other 1980s, 90s and 2000s).
Sheffield City Hall. The impressive 1930s City Hall was refurbished and is home to many concerts, performances and travelling shows and is in the elegant Barkers Pool in the city centre which is home to Sheffield's cenotaph.
Cafe#9. A coffee shop by day and an intimate live music venue by night, Cafe #9 is a distinctive space whose eclectic décor reflects the character and creativity of its Sheffield surroundings. Gigs take place most nights and tend to lean towards folk music. Easily reached by the No.56 bus from the city centre or a 30 minute walk
Locksley Distilling Co. Offer tours and tastings.
Sleep
Best Western Cutlers Hotel. Free WiFi.
Homely Serviced Apartments. Homely Serviced Apartments provide short-term and long-term self-catered accommodation for leisure and business travellers .
Mercure St. Pauls Hotel. Valet parking. WiFi available.
Corner House. Available for periods of between 1 week to 6 months. Wi-Fi, fully equipped shared kitchen, tv, towels, shampoo, breakfast included.
Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall & Spa. A former country hall now situated in the pretty Edwardian suburb of Nether Edge.
Brocco on the Park. Eight luxury bedrooms, each with original Edwardian features, Scandinavian-inspired décor and green views.
Make Sheffield your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 5360709 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2026-09-13. This is not a date of field verification.
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