Recently voted the best value city for a break by TripAdvisor, here’s our Top 10 things to do in Sheffield.
Sheffield Winter Garden and Millennium Galleries
One of the largest temperate glasshouses in the country, this spectacular city-centre development is home to more than 2,000 plants from around the world, while the neighbouring gallery has played host to collections by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and John Martin.
See www.museums-sheffield.org.uk
The Crucible Theatre
Known equally for its felt as for its boards, having hosted the World Snooker Championships since 1977, this grand old building showcases everything from Shakespeare to Chekhov, alongside all the comedians, musicians, poets, and choirs you could ask for as part of the UK’s largest theatre complex outside London.
See www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/
The Motorpoint Arena
Used both for musical and sporting events, the arena has welcomed everything from world title fights and Premier League darts, to the likes of The Beach Boys, Elton John, Whitney Houston and, of course, the Arctic Monkeys. The arena is also home to the city’s ice hockey team – The Sheffield Steelers.
See www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk
English Institute of Sport
One of the UK’s finest indoor sports facilities, the EIS features a vast gym, 200m running track, as well as some of the country’s most advanced sports medicine facilities. Used by athletes of all shapes and sizes, including the British Boxing Team, it even hosted the British Olympic Team in the run up to the London Olympics.
See www.eis2win.co.uk/
Sheffield Legends
Also known as The Sheffield Walk of Fame, this collection of plaques lines up outside the city’s Town Hall in homage to its Hollywood cousin, and features the names of some of Sheffield’s most famous sons and daughters, including Sean Bean, Jessica Ennis, and Michael Palin.
See www.sheffield.gov.uk
New Moor Market
With 196 artisan food stalls, this great indoor market is an epicurean’s dream, with everything on offer from fresh fish and locally-sources organic produce, to handmade jewellery and craft ales. There’s even Thai-inspired ice cream for those feeling especially adventurous come dessert!
See www.sheffield.gov.uk/business-economy/markets/moor-market.html
Cycle the Trans-Pennine Trail
Going hand in hand its plentiful greenery, Sheffield is also a profoundly cycle-friendly destination, nestled beside the Trans-Pennine Trail and featuring numerous pathways winding up into the surrounding hills. Having hosted stage one of Le Tour De France earlier this year, it’s fair to say cycling fever has gripped the city, with route markers remaining on display to allow more casual riders to echo their heroes from the Peloton.
See www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/travel/cycling.html
Green-fingered Hospitality
With the city centre located just a half hour ride from the fringe of the Peak District and the mouthwatering prospect of a ride through the UK’s oldest National Park, accommodation in Sheffield is not to be outdone when it comes to environmental friendliness. The Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel offers visitors free storage of their bikes, alongside energy bars and route maps to prepare them as they set out for a day’s riding, or merely to ramble amidst the 550 square miles of spectacular English terrain.
See www.bespokehotels.com/sheffieldmet
Sheffield Town Hall
Used by Sheffield Council but also containing a formidable collection of silverware, this spectacular baroque construction was opened by Queen Victoria using a primitive remote control (yes, really!) and features a 64 metre clock tower, and is surrounded by the tranquil expanse of the Peace Gardens.
See www.sheffield.gov.uk/out–about/tourist-information/town-hall.html
Trams
Sheffield’s state of the art “SuperTram” system may only be 15 years old, but horse-drawn trams patrolled the city as far back at 1873. Visitors can follow the traditional routes and wind through the hills to the city’s suburbs with ease.
See www.supertram.com
