Sheffield might not be the first name on the tip of someone’s tongue when you ask them what city they want to visit. Heck, most people outside of England probably haven’t even heard of the steel producing city. Sheffield has a lot to offer and I’m going to give it a try!
Here are five fun things to do in Sheffield this weekend
The Music Scene
You might not know this, but Sheffield has a pretty impressive music scene. Many famous musicians such as The Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard and Human League came out of the city. Whether you’re looking for an intimate live gig in a small bar, or a massive concert in a crowded arena you’ve come to the right place. For starters, Plug and The Leadmill are great options. If you fancy yourself as the next Ed Sheeran then head to Fagan’s where you can sing/play an instrument or even do both!
Every July the ‘Tramlines Festival’ takes over the city for three days. Here you get to see local and national artists and it won’t cost you a cent because everything is uploaded for free.
The Crucible Theatre
The theater (as you can probably imagine) hosts many theatrical productions, even won the Barclays ‘Theatre of the Year’ Award in 2001 and is also a listed building. In addition, it is also the home of the most important event in the history of snooker: the World Championship, which has been held there every year since 1977. Unfortunately I missed it this year, but in 2014 it will start from the 19th of April.th until May 5thth so buy your tickets asap!
The Greenery
If it’s a nice day, don’t stay indoors, visit one of Sheffield’s 13 parks, woods and gardens! Firth Park was even presented with the Green Award between 2008 and 2011. The Botanic Gardens cover 19 acres and have recently undergone a £6.69 million restoration so what more reason to visit. Plants from all over the world live there as well as many wild animals such as squirrels and many different types of birds.
The Winter Garden
If you like the feeling of being outside while actually being inside (or if it’s raining) then the Winter Garden is a nice place to take a break. It is one of the UK’s largest temperate glass houses, filled with many exotic plants with plaques in front of each one so you can learn a bit about the flora. Relax on a bench and feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. There is also Zooby’sa Fair Trade cafe in the gardens so you can grab a snack if you’re feeling peckish while sightseeing.
The Architecture
A city full of factories doesn’t seem like it would be high on the list of places with beautiful buildings, but there are some amazing sights to see if you look higher than the storefronts. There are around 1,000 listed buildings in Sheffield, many of which are stunning such as the Lyceum Theatre, Norton Hall, the Old Queen’s Head and many more. Just a stroll through the city center will reveal many photo-worthy buildings. The Town Hall on Street has scored many points in the list of the most loved buildings in Sheffield. If you’re into architecture you’re sure to be spoiled for choice in Sheffield.
And if you’re still not convinced…Government figures in April 2013 show that Sheffield is the safest of the UK’s biggest cities so even more reason to visit.
Author bio:
This was a guest post by Rachel; foodie, traveler and writer. When you’re not eating or exploring different countries, you’re blogging for hungryhouse – one of the UK’s best online food platforms so why not order here next time you are craving your favorite food?