Visit Sheffield City Centre to see how old factories have been repurposed into trendy cafés, bars and boutiques. One of the U.K.’s largest cities, Sheffield was a 19th-century industrial giant. Today, the city is regenerating, with new developments expanding by the day. For a city its size, Sheffield also has an abundance of green spaces, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing and shopping.
Start your explorations at the Millennium Gallery, with impressive permanent collections including the Metalwork Display showcasing the city’s steel products. Visit the Site Gallery to learn about audiovisual media and performance art. For an altogether different experience, head to the National Videogame Museum. The family-friendly center offers a hands-on experience to teach children of all ages about gaming.
Relax in the parks and gardens that constitute the city’s green lungs. At the heart of the city center, the Peace Gardens were renovated in 1998 to make Sheffield more appealing. The park has water and lighting features, as well as a variety of plants.
Farther away, Endcliffe Park was opened to honor the 1887 jubilee of Queen Victoria. The park features a playground and a café, and frequently hosts a variety of festivals.
Continue to Sheffield Botanical Gardens, a 19-acre (8-hectare) area that has more than 5,000 plant species.
Head to the Fargate area to enjoy an unforgettable shopping expedition. The area’s pedestrianized cobbled streets are dotted with chic boutiques and big-brand stores. This is also where many of the city’s independent cafés, chain restaurants and historic pubs are located. While in the area, don’t miss the Sheffield Cathedral, one of the area’s handful of Grade-I listed buildings.
Packed with culture and character, Sheffield City Centre has something for everybody. Enjoy the trendy venues, art galleries, numerous outdoor spaces and exciting shopping that make this area a favorite with tourists. It’s easy to travel here by car, train or coach from major U.K. cities including London, Birmingham and Manchester. Get around the Sheffield City Centre on trams and buses.
