City Guide: Sheffield

Nestled upon seven hills is Sheffield, ‘ome of the Yorkshireman and a bitter football rivalry, here you must choose your fighter. Are you an Owl or a Blade? Wednesday or United? The choice is yours, just don’t make the wrong one.

Known once as the Steel City, Sheffield was famed for its industry in the 1900s. However, the smoking chimney stacks are no more and instead you’ll find a bustling, modern city set against the stunning green backdrop of the Peak District National Park. 

Food & Drink

Once the beating heart of industry, Kelham Island is one of Sheffield’s oldest manufacturing sites which has undergone a breath-taking transformation and is now the perfect location if you’re looking for lively bars and restaurants. Located here is Peddlers Market where there is entertainment and food stalls from local independent eateries or your favourite global chains. Similar to Kelham Island, there’s Cutlery works where you’ll find quirky food stalls each offering a unique dining experience. Ecclesall Road, perhaps Sheffield’s busiest street is home to loads of restaurants, bars & micro bars and coffee houses including local favourites The Porter Brook and Pollard’s Coffee Shop. Another must try Coffee Shop is Birhouse, located in the city centre, here you can enjoy a perfectly brewed cuppa alongside a selection of fresh bakery goods all at a reasonable price.

For a delicious breakfast get along to Grind Café one of Sheffield’s unknown gems. On Abbeydale Road you’ll find two lovely Italian cafes Bragazzis and Amici & Bici, both of which are favourites among locals. Public Bar, given the name you’d not be surprised to hear that this bar is located on the site of old public toilets, however, after undergoing perhaps one of the most impressive makeovers, this unique bar was voted the best place to grab a drink in 2019 and is without a doubt a must-visit.  

Transport

One of the easiest ways to explore Sheffield is to walk. Whether it's a short introduction, or something more entertaining that you’re after, you'll learn about Sheffield old & new by joining one of many city walk tours on offer. From the University of Sheffield, you can catch the Supertram from the campus to Meadowhall, the railway station and the city centre.

For many visitors to Sheffield, trams are the easiest way to get around although the coverage isn't as extensive as the bus which you may need for more specific out of city centre destinations. There is also a strong Uber and taxi presence in Sheffield city centre should you require this option to get from door to door.  

Where to live

• St. Paul’s – One of the best parts of the city to live in at the moment is the part of the centre surrounding St. Paul’s Square. Suitable for individuals with a wide range of needs and interests and those craving a busier and livelier city atmosphere. Residents around St. Paul's enjoy easy access to the city's largest market — the Moor Market — as well as being well-connected to the rest of the city with good public transport links.
• Fulwood - a suburb located just slightly over 3 miles to the west of the city centre. Fulwood is hugely popular with low-key professionals because of its beautiful greenery, proximity to the countryside and community focus. Despite this, Fulwood is far from dull, a range of pubs and bars specialising in local brews make Fulwood an ideal place to live.
• Ecclesall – having recently grown in popularity, Ecclesall has become one of the most desirable places to live in Sheffield. Its increasing popularity among young families and professionals gives it an exciting atmosphere. Nearby Ecclesall Road offers a range of excellent bars and restaurants as well as quirky independent shops and boutiques.

What to do in Sheffield

With its iconic Bessemer Converter and Europe’s largest working steam engine on display, Kelham Island Museum stands a proud reminder of the Sheffield’s industrial history and is great place to learn more about this significant heritage. Once explored you can move onto one of Kelham Island’s renowned real ale pubs such as the Kelham Island Tavern, The Fat Cat, The Riverside and Gardener’s Rest. Sheffield is located close to both the Peak Districy and Yorkshire Dales so there are plenty of opportunities to participate in outdoor activities such as walking and cycling among other sports. Speaking of sports, Sheffield is home to the English Institute of Sport (EIS), the largest multi sports centre in the UK with facilities suitable for a range of sports to partake in. And if it was good enough for Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill before she retired then it’s good enough for us.

Sheffield is ‘football daft’ and a trip to either Brammal Lane or Hillsborough to hear fans singing in all their glory is a must do when in Sheffield. If football isn’t your thing then swap stadiums for statues and visit Millennium Gallery and take in the culture of Incredible Egypt or Ancient Romeas you explore the exhibits. Chatsworth House, located 30 minutes outside of Sheffield in the beautiful Peak District is the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs and take in some countryside air. The debate will go on as to whether it’s the best city in Yorkshire, but Sheffield certainly has something to keep everybody busy.