Sheffield

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 (48 km) 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 th

Getting there

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: Manchester Airport (MAN IATA) has global direct flights, including from East Asia, the Middle East, North America, South and Southeast Asia, and is well served by European low cost airlines. 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. East Midlands Airport (EMA IATA) has year round low cost flights to destinations across Europe and is a hub for Ryanair and leisure carriers Jet2 and TUI. 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. Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA IATA) is a little further away but may be considered as an option and has direct flights to destinations across Europe operated by low cost giants Ryanair and Wizz Air, alongside services by other airlines including leisure carriers Jet2 and TUI. 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

1 Sheffield Station (Sheffield Midland), Sheaf Square, S1 2BP. The city's central station. You can reach the city centre on foot via Sheaf Square and Howard Street in 10-15 minutes' uphill walking, or in about five minutes by tram. Supertram services stop at the station (Sheffield Station / Sheffield Hallam University), at the far end from the main entrance of the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the platforms. There is a lift from the station concourse and platforms, and several places to buy food and drink. T

Getting 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 1 mi (1.6 km). 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.

Using postcodes

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

See

Navigate to: Museums and galleries, Parks and gardens, Street art and graffiti

Monuments and landmarks

1 Anglican Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul), Church Street, S1 1HA (Supertram: Cathedral), ☏ +44 114 275-3434, [email protected]. M 8AM–5PM; Tu–F 8AM–6:30PM; Sa 9:30AM–4PM; Su 7:30AM–5PM. 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. Free. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Arts Tower, Western Bank, S10 2TN (Supertram: Netherthorpe Road). M–F 9AM–6PM. 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. Free. (updated Feb 2019) 3 Barker's Pool, S1 2HB (Supertram: City Hall). 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. (updated Jan 2018) 4 Catholic Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St Marie), Norfolk Row, S1 2JB (Supertram: Cathedral), ☏ +44 114 272-2522. Open daily 8:30AM–5PM. Closed to tourists during mass and offices. 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. Free. (updated Jan 2018) 5 Central Library, Tudor Square, S1 1XZ (National Rail and Supertram: Sheffield Station), ☏ +44 114 273-4727. M Tu Th F 9:30AM–5:30PM, W 1PM–8PM, Sa 10AM–4PM

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 (26 - 28 May 2018). 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. (updated Nov 2017) Yorkshire Cosplay Con (2-3 June 2018). Held at the 1 Sheffield Arena (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! (updated Jan 2018) Sheffield Doc/Fest (International Documentary Festival; 7-12 June 2018). 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. (updated Nov 2017) Theatre in the Gardens (Dates in June, July and August). 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! Book tickets through website. (updated Jun 2018)

1 Tramlines Festival (20-23 July 2018). 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. (updated Jan 2018) Festival of the Mind (20-30 September 2018). Held in and a

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.

1 Atkinson's, 78-82 The Moor, S1 3LT, ☏ +44 114 276-8811, [email protected]. M–F 9AM–5:30PM, Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 10:30AM–4:30PM. 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. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Fashion Brand, 64 The Moor, S1 4PA, ☏ +44 114 275-0399. Independent women's fashion and clothing store. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Record Junkee, 7 Earl Street, S1 3FP, ☏ +44 114 275-9035, [email protected]. M–Sa 9AM–5:30PM, Su 11AM–5PM. Large and varied selection of new

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. Ano

Drink & nightlife

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.

Pubs 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.

1 The Washington, Fitzwilliam St (near Devonshire Green). 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. (updated Jan 2024) 2 The Frog & Parrot, Division Street. 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. (updated Jan 2024) 3 The Bessemer (previously The Fountain), Leopold Street. A modern, quite upmarket pub with a strong focus on its traditional English menu. (updated Jan 2024) 4 Sheffield Tap (Occupies the refurbished Edwardian dining rooms at Sheffield Railway station). 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 stati

Sleep

City Centre 1 Best Western Cutlers Hotel, George Street, Heart of the City, ☏ +44 114 273-9939, [email protected]. Free WiFi. From £43. 2 Holiday Inn Express, Blonk St, ☏ +44 871 423 4942 (premium rate), [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. From £59. 3 Homely Serviced Apartments (Homely Serviced Apartments Sheffield), 7 St. Pauls Square (Near the Winter Gardens), ☏ +44 114 352-0058, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11:30AM. Homely Serviced Apartments provide short-term and long-term self-catered accommodation for leisure and business travellers . £60-200. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Ibis Hotel, Shude Hill, S1 2AR, ☏ +44 114 241-9600, [email protected]. From £49. 5 Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn), 119 Eyre St S1 4QW (Off the Moor roundabout), ☏ +44 114 291-2222. From £61. 6 Leopold Hotel, Leopold Square / Leopold St, ☏ +44 114 252-4000. £70 - £150. 7 Mercure St. Pauls Hotel, 119 Norfolk St (Between the Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens), ☏ +44 113 396-9005, [email protected]. Valet parking. WiFi available. From £64. 8 Novotel, 50 Arundel Gate (Behind the Winter Gardens), ☏ +44 113 396-9005, [email protected]. WiFi available. Prices vary from £75-119. 9 Premier Inn St. Mary's Gate, Young St, S1 4UP, ☏ +44 871 527 8972 (premium rate). From £29. 10 The Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel (Sheffield Met), Blonk Street (From junction 33 M1 follow Parkway to Park Square roundabout, hotel is off to the right), ☏ +44 114 220-4000, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. From £50. (updated Mar 2015)

Further out 11 Corner House, Westbourne Rd, ☏ +44 114 266-0346, [email protected]. Available for periods of between 1 week to 6 months. Wi-Fi, fully equipped shared kitchen, tv, towels, shampoo, breakfast included. £150 per week, £160 for two persons. There's an 12 Ibis and 13 Premier Inn at Sheffield Arena. 14 Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall & Spa, Kenwood Road, ☏ +44 114 258-3811, fax: +44 114 255-4744, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. A former country hall now situated in the pretty Edwardian suburb of Nether Edge. 15 Premier Inn Meadowhall, Sheffield Road, Meadowhall, S9 2YL, ☏ +44 871 527 8966 (premium rate). From £39. 16 Brocco on the Park, 92 Brocco Bank, S11 8RS, ☏ +44 114 266-1233, [email protected]. Eight luxury bedrooms, each with original Edwardian features, Scandinavian-inspired décor and green views. (updated Apr 2020)

Go next

The Peak District is close to Sheffield, indeed parts of it are within the city boundary. For a day trip by public transport, the most accessible is along the Hope Valley railway line through Grindleford, Hathersage, Hope and Edale. Lots of hikes start from these stations, eg to Castleton with Mam Tor and Winnats Pass, along Stanage Edge, or up Kinder Scout. You need a car to reach the rest of the area, such as Chatsworth or Dovedale. Leeds is a lively city with many visitor attractions. Manchester, dare it be said here, has even more attractions and amenities than Sheffield. York by contrast has kept its medieval walls and winding cobbled streets, and the old castle still teeters on a hillock. In the West Yorkshire hills are Holmfirth, setting for the TV series Last of the Summer Wine, attractive Hebden Bridge, and Haworth home of the Brontë sisters. In Nottinghamshire, the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest surround the village of Edwinstowe, while the Dukeries are an area of country parks and stately homes.