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Sheffield

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.

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57 places match

  1. See

    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.

    Mon–Thu 10AM–4PM, Sun 11AM–4:45PM; Closed (rather annoyingly) Fri and SatAdults £4, Concessions £3, Under 16s free

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    Anglican Cathedral

    The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul

    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.

    Mon 8AM–5PM; Tue–Fri 8AM–6:30PM; Sat 9:30AM–4PM; Sun 7:30AM–5PMFree

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    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.

    Mon–Fri 9AM–6PMFree

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    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.

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    Biomembrane

    by Florence Blanchard

    Colourful interpretation of a cell membrane, as seen under a microscope.

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    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.

    Sat Sun 10AM–4PMFree

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    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.

    Daily 8AM–dusk. Glass pavilion open daily 11AM–3:30PMGardens free; some events are priced

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    Catholic Cathedral

    Cathedral Church of St Marie

    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.

    Open daily 8:30AM–5PM. Closed to tourists during mass and officesFree

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    Central Library

    A grand 1930s library in Art Deco style with an impressive volume of books.

    Mon Tue Thu Fri 9:30AM–5:30PM, Wed 1PM–8PM, Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun closedFree. You must be a resident of Sheffield to borrow books, but anyone can read library books inside

  10. See

    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.

    Open all dayFree

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    David Attenborough

    by Rocket 01

    Mural likeness of the much-loved presenter and television naturalist.

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    David Bowie

    by Trik9

    A touching, if unintentionally comical, non-likeness of Ziggy Stardust.

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    Devonshire Green

    Dev 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.

  14. See

    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.

    Free

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    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.

    Open all dayFree

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    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.

    Tue Thu–Sat 11AM–4PM; Wed 1PM–6PM; closed SunFree

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    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.

    Park open daily dawn until dusk. Farm open daily 9AM-3:30PMPark and farm free

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    Hagglers Corner

    by Jo Peel

    Funky representation of the local area, the houses, shops and mosque.

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    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.

    On public land, so always accessibleFree

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    I love you will u marry me

    by "Jason"

    Addressed to an unrequited love. Originally spray painted, now lit up in neon at night.

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    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.

    Mon–Thu 10AM–4PM, Sun 11AM–4:45PM; inexplicably closed Fri–SatAdults £6, concessions £5, under 16s free

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    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.

    Mon–Sat 8AM–5PM (exhibitions from 10AM), Sun, bank holidays 11AM–4PMFree

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    National Emergency Services Museum

    The world's largest collection of vehicles, uniforms and memorabilia from the police force, fire brigade and ambulance service.

    Wed–Sun, bank holidays 10AM–4PM. Also open Mon and Tue during school holidaysAdults £8; children 3–15 years old £6; children under 3 years old free; families £22; concessions £7; 999 staff: free

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    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.

    School term time: Fri noon-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM; school holidays: daily 10AM-5PM, "late night": 2nd or 3rd Fri of month noon-7PMAdults £14, children/concessions: £11, under 5s/carers: free

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    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.

  26. See

    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.

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    Rare & Racy

    by Phlegm

    The Reader decorates the front of Rare & Racy book shop. There is more Phlegm behind the shop on Westhill Lane.

  28. See

    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.

    Open during exhibitionsFree

  29. See

    SIA Gallery

    Sheffield Institute of Arts

    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.

    Daily 10AM–5PM. Open until 8PM on WedFree

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    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.

    Park open daily dawn–dusk. Manor Farm: Mon–Sat 9:30AM–4PM; Tudor ruins and discovery centre: Fri 10:30AM–2:30PM, and during school holidays Tue–Fri 10:30AM–2:30PM. Weekend opening: Mar–Nov, third weekend of the month (Sat and Sun; verify dates on website) 11AM–4PM, with guided tours and visits to the Turret house throughout the day; Manor Cottages: Mar–Nov third Sun of the month (same dates as above) 11AM–4PMManor Oaks Farm: free; Tudor ruins, Turret house and discovery centre: adult visit £3, guided tour £2, children free; Manor Cottages: adults £1, children free