Things To Do In Sheffield & Where To Stay

Are you considering a trip to the north of England? If so, you most definitely don’t want to miss on Sheffield. England’s fourth largest city and home to many makers and doers who have made the region well known for its innovation. In this post, I will talk about the best things to do in Sheffield, dubbed Steel City for its contribution to the steel industry’s world market.

Things To Do In Sheffield, England

Home to more than half a million people, this unique city offers a big smile and a warm welcome to anybody who wishes to discover the gems it has to offer. The city has so much history and heritage for you to see.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best things to do in Sheffield that may appeal to your taste.

The Botanical Gardens

The great thing about these wonderful gardens is that they are open free of charge to the public and welcome anybody who wishes to spend a bit of time here. Whether it is learning about the story of the bear pit, visiting the war memorials, exploring the glasshouse or discovering one of the many species of plants and flowers, you will be surprised by all that this landmark has to offer.

The gardens look great all year round and due to the seasons, you can appreciate the changes during the year because there is always something new to admire. You can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon here. If you are fortunate enough to be here on a clear day, this is the perfect picnic spot.

Address: Clarkehouse Rd, Sheffield S10 2LN

Leopold Square

If you are wondering what to do in Sheffield in the evening, you can easily find yourself at Leopold Square, which is nestled right in the heart of the city. Over the years, the area has become one of the most popular places to enjoy the nightlife, with top quality bars and restaurants coupled together in an intimate space.

Surrounded by stunning architecture, you can try out some of your best Salsa dance moves at Cubana, after a serving of some of the city’s finest Spanish tapas. If you like your curry, you could also dine at Aagrah’s restaurant, one of the best Indian and Pakistani restaurants in Sheffield.

Kelham Island Museum

At the Kelham Island Museum, you will be amazed at the sight of a gigantic steam engine, a real testament to the history of Sheffield and its local people. It is one of the best places to visit in Sheffield.

From old cars to remastered video footage, including lengthy descriptions of the steelmaking process, here you will learn everything about the steel industry in Sheffield and see real-life artefacts. No wonder the city has been renowned all over the world for its knives and forks.

The highly dedicated staff and volunteers ensure that you leave the museum at least 1% smarter and more inspired as you did when you went in. The Kelham Island Museum is one of the Sheffield attractions you shouldn’t miss if you have a keen interest in history and how things are/were made.

Head To The Peak District

With a large part of the city located within the Peak District National Park, it would be a pity to miss out on a visit to the Peak District.

The Fox House Pub (located at Hathersage Rd, Sheffield S11 7TY) is a great place to be if you’d like to go walking in the Peak District. Its beautiful location means you can walk along the green hills and secluded woodland walks at your own leisure.

The Fox House is a strategic point where locals and visitors start and end their adventures. Both the food and service are top-notch and the beautifully preserved rustic style is well preserved. There is also plenty of free parking.

Ecclesall Road

Ecclesall Road is one of the most popular places to visit in Sheffield, with its many restaurants, bars, pubs, and independent boutique shops. In terms of shopping, Ecclesall Road has more upmarket shops and brands.

With its large student population in close proximity and being very popular with locals, you are never alone here.

If you’re feeling inspired, Endcliffe Park is a great place to grab your travel journal and find yourself the perfect place to reflect on your day. From Ecclesall Road, you can access both the park or the botanical gardens from within the same street.

National Games Museum

As you look for more unique things to do in Sheffield, one place that is attracting more and more enthusiasts to the city is the Games Museum. An educational space open to all that are interested in learning more about the history of video games.

You enter a big room that has many old games on display which you can play. As you walk around you’ll find everything from classic arcade games from the ’70s/’80s right up to the most recent Playstation and Xbox game consoles. The museum offers a great day out for all ages and even has an on-site cafe.

Address: Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield S3 8LN

Devonshire Quarter

No trip to Sheffield would be complete without a stroll along the Devonshire Quarter and a visit to the Devonshire Green. Both attractions are located on the same street, in a popular part of the city. Here you can find the Forum, home to a great selection of independent shops. The street has some brilliant vintage clothing emporiums and trendy places to eat.

Known as Sheffield’s hipster centre, you can find popular day and night time venues such as Bungalows and Bears, The Great Gatsby, as well as The Common Room.

Sheffield Cathedral

Sheffield is home to one of the country’s most beautiful cathedrals. If you find yourself close to Leopold Square the cathedral is just a short walk and has its doors are open to the public all year round.

Back in 2015, Queen Elizabeth II came to Sheffield for the Royal Maundy service, right outside the Cathedral. There, she honoured 89 men and 89 women and the event was witnessed by people from all over the world.

As a place designed for all people, the Cathedral has an on-site cafe and a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. Visiting the Cathedral is a must if you are interested in learning more about Sheffield’s architectural past and the vast history of the city centre.

Winter Garden

The Winter Gardens venue, which is close to the Peace Gardens in Sheffield, is home to more than 2,000 plants. It is a lovely place and I highly recommend a visit.

A stroll here is among the most popular things to do in Sheffield among locals and tourists alike. It is the perfect place to come and enjoy alfresco lunch, and it is also a meeting point to have a chat. There is an open cafe along with some independent gift shops stocked up with works by local artists.

A short walk thought the venue will take you to other notable Sheffield landmarks such as the Crucible Theater and the Millennium Galleries.

Ride the Supertram

The Sheffield Supertram has been around since 1997, and is a something of an icon in the city. From the city centre, you can easily jump on the tram to get to Meadowhall, gigantic shopping centre with more than 250 shops and other entertainment venues all under one roof.

A ride on the tram offers you a smooth and relaxing journey to Meadowhall and other places to visit in Sheffield. Whilst you travel in style with clean and comfortable seats, you take in some of the great views of the city.

One of Sheffield’s historic landmarks to look out for whilst on the tram is Park Hill Flats, a council estate built between 1957 and 1961 which was given the Grade II listed building status.

Where To Stay In Sheffield

If you are researching where to stay in Sheffield, the main thing I recommend is to look for a central hotel, so you can optimise your time in the city.

Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel & Spa

If you decide to stay in the city overnight, one of the most comfortable and conveniently located hotels in the city is Mercure St Paul’s Hotel. The beds are super comfortable so you can guarantee a good night’s sleep after a day of walking around the city.

The hotel is located between the Peace Gardens and the Winter Gardens, just a 6-7 minute walk from the train station. The hotel has a swimming pool and a luxurious spa which all hotel guests also have access too.

Check out here availability and prices for your specific dates.

Leopold Hotel

Leopold Hotel is centrally located, and as you so no need to miss out on any action at the Leopold Hotel. Known for its helpful staff and inviting rooms you’ll not be disappointed. The interior and cleanliness of the rooms is impeccable.

Both breakfast and room service are top-notch. The hostel within Leopold Square so you can expect to get some background noise from the surrounding bars and restaurants, especially on the weekends. The nearest car park is just 5 minutes away.

Click here to check out availability and prices for your travel dates.

Brocco On The Park Boutique Hotel

This boutique hotel located at the top of Ecclesall Road and across from Endcliffe Park offers you a room in a boutique-style hotel that gives you a relaxing stay in a home-style setting.

Aside from getting a comfortable room along with complimentary refreshments including a Nespresso Machine you’ll find eat easy to check out the row of upmarket restaurants and bars within the space of a 5-minute walk.

Check out availability and prices for your travel dates with your partner Booking.com.

So, now you have a better idea of the best places to visit in Sheffield, where will you start?

Whether it be a stroll down Ecclesall Road, a coffee in the Winter Gardens or an education afternoon down at Kelham Museum you should have no trouble looking for what to do in Sheffield!

About The Author: Daniel James from Layer Culture is a cultural traveller based in Sheffield. Daniel dedicates his time to learning Spanish whilst exploring and learning about life in Latin America.

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