On the lookout for exciting free things to do in Sheffield?
If you didn’t already know, Sheffield, the shining beacon of Yorkshire, is situated smack bang in the middle of England.
Found nestled between the beautiful Peak District and historic Rotherham, Sheffield is part of our best places to visit in Northern England series, and we’re taking a butchers at this charming city.
The steelworks to the Commonwealth and the home of the oldest football teams in Britain. You can’t beat old Blighty, and you can’t beat the rugged Sheffield we all know and love.
However, did you know how cosmopolitan/stylish Sheffield has become?
Table of Contents
Free Things to do in Sheffield
The question is though, is there a lot to do in Sheffield that’s 100% gratis?
Well, of course there is!
Along with other low-key northern cities such as Newcastle and Chester, we’ve compiled a list of free things to do in Sheffield, as well as a guide to the city’s eateries and nightlife.
Let’s jump right in!
Sheffield Winter Garden
In the middle of the urban cityscape lies the wood and glass building known as the Winter Gardens.
Home to more than 2,000 plants from around the world, the building itself is reminiscent of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
A horticultural marvel in the most unlikely of locations, it provides the same experience as a paid one without charging a penny.
It is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK in the last century, and the largest urban glasshouse in Europe.
Want to get out into the open countryside whilst here?
By all means, you can quite easily transport yourself over to the Longshaw National Trust site for a more scenic open-air experience.
Bishops’ House
In the Norton Lees district, lies this half-timbered house built during the Renaissance. Despite its age, it has kept a lot of its Jacobean-style interior and has become a grade 2 listed building.
It has been a museum open to the public since 1976 and accepts donations rather than admission fees. Truly a remarkable little house full of history!
The Shepherd Wheel Workshop
In the Porter Brook Valley, you’ll find the grinding hulls of an age-old industry. Sheffield is of course well-known for its knife grinding industry.
Experience just how the jobs were done hundreds of years ago.
In damp and dark conditions, the skilled grinders produced some of the best knives in Europe and even the world.
After a £1 million boost from the Heritage Lottery Funding, the waterwheel has been restored to full working order.
See it for yourself!
The Sheffield Round Walk
The Round Walk is a 15-mile loop that covers all of the Sheffield landscape; from the urban buildings to the rural valleys. The loop is split into four sections, so you don’t have to do the full length.
See the Beauchief Abbey in Sheaf Valley and Bishops’ House in the Gleadless Valley. It’s a great way of seeing the city from multiple perspectives whilst breathing in some of the rural air.
Victoria Quays
The host of the Sheffield Waterfront Festival as well as outdoor film screenings, Victoria Quays has a lot to offer.
In the north of England, canals showcase some of the most brilliant man-made feats since the Romans built aqueducts.
The Victoria Quays is situated on the iconic Sheffield and Tinsley canal, which achieved a level of fame unlike most other canals.
After making an appearance in the 1997 comedy the Full Monty, the canal in Sheffield is the most famous canal to appear on the big screen.
The Millenium Gallery
Opened in 2001, the Millenium Gallery is one of the most impressive galleries in the north of England.
Listed as the 15 most visited free attractions in England by Visit England, it’s situated right next to the Central Library, Graves Gallery and Hallam University. A 1 minute walk from the Leopold Hotel and Leopold square.
There is a constantly changing temporary exhibition space, but the permanent Ruskin Collection is the highlight of the gallery.
The collection includes watercolors, drawings, prints, plaster casts, minerals, illustrated books, manuscripts, and coins all from different eras of time.
The Metalwork Collection, however, is probably the most interesting part of the experience.
It comprises more than 13,000 artifacts and has been awarded Designated Collection status by DCMS, signifying a ‘pre-eminent collection of national and international importance held in England’s non-national museums.’
Our Cow Molly Dairy Farm
A dairy farm that started in 1947, it was originally a profitable business that delivered milk to people’s homes. 60 years later, the price of milk plummeted and the business no longer became profitable.
They decided to optimize their business model by no longer selling milk, but by producing ice cream. Ice cream farms are common in rural areas of Northern England, producing some of the world’s best ice cream.
See the Our Cow Molly Facebook Page, they also has a farm shop open all year round and experiences for children to enjoy.
Places to Eat in Sheffield
If you’re looking for a bite to eat during your visit to Sheffield, there’s a lot to choose from.
We will suggest not visiting the chain restaurants and fast food places in the city center, only because you wouldn’t need an online guide for them.
Plus, the money that goes into the independent restaurants and cafes gets circulated into the local community.
So with that in mind, here are some of the best places to eat in Sheffield:
The Steam Yard – Coffee and Gluten-Free treats
If you’re looking for a stopover for a quick coffee and a croissant in the morning, this bakery turned café has everything a coffeeholic would ask for.
Make sure you visit during non-peak times as it can get quite busy during lunch and breakfast hours. Try the tiffin, it’s one of the best bakes they have to offer.
Tamper – Brunch!
Have you ever heard of Kiwi café culture? If not, then you need to give this place a try. Run by a couple of New Zealanders, this café has a couple of iterations but the best one is found in Seller’s Wheel.
Bare-brick interior, incredible coffee choices and the best sweet treats you can find. I recommend the eggs benedict with bacon. This is just such a stunning place to pop in for brunch, you won’t regret giving it a go.
The Street Food Chef – Amazing Tacos
A Mexican cantina on Broad Oaks, this incredible little spot has some great menu items. The burritos are filled to the point of bursting, and the quesadillas are to die for.
The staff are really fun to be around too. If you’re famished and stroll in after 2 pm, try the El Bastardo burrito eating challenge!
It’s only £14.99 and your face can be forever mounted on the hall of fame for finishing in under an hour!
Enver’s Café and Grill
Turkish and Mediterranean Brilliance
Mediterranean food done the right way. Try the lamb chops, they’re amazing!
Edo Sushi
The Best Sushi in Sheffield bar none
If you’re looking for ‘the sushi spot of Sheffield’, look no further. Try the Sashimi, it’s great.
Turnip and Thyme
Fine Dining with Vegan options
The number 1 rated restaurant in Sheffield on TripAdvisor also has Vegan options.
Sheffield Nightlife
West Street, Carver Street and Division Street join together to provide the main hub of bars and pubs, though each street maintains its own distinctive character
According to Welcome to Sheffield:
“The West Street strip is the biggest and busiest of the three, where larger chains intermingle with independents. On Carver Street, you’ll find a cluster of bars/small clubs which open to the early hours playing a diverse range of music on different nights and host VIPS in exclusive areas, while Divison Street has a more relaxed bohemian vibe, but is no less lively.”
Similar to the considerably colossal closeby city of Leeds, Sheffield’s unique clusters of bars/small clubs make it a must-visit for a night out.
Bars in Sheffield
- Vodka Revs: on The Plaza
A bit of a student-oriented bar with some great deals on rounds. - The Great Gatsby on Division Street
Fancy but relaxed, they do amazing cocktails, made better by being only £4 before 10pm Sunday to Thursday. - Tiger Works on West Street
Good for any night of the week – make sure to sample their £5 round. You’ll know when you know.
Other Nightlife Venues in Sheffield:
- Corporation (The Corp)
The best nightclub in Sheffield hosts Skool Disco every Wednesday. Four rooms, all with different music styles from drum and bass, to hip hop and house. - The Leadmill:
Legendary music venue and nightclub that hosts over 100 live music gigs every year. Muse, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Stereophonics, Miles Kane, Two Door Cinema Club, Lewis Capaldi, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Kings of Leon and Manic Street Preachers have all played here. - Crucible Theatre:
Modern theatre in the city centre that hosts world-class productions and world tours.
Where to Stay in Sheffield
- Brocco on the Park Boutique Hotel
Slightly out of the city centre but extremely luxurious, The Brocco had Pablo Picasso overnight once (or so the legend has it). - KSpace @ The Point
Serviced apartments in a brand new modern building, KSpace is ultra-stylish and located right in the middle of the city. - Leopold Hotel
Built on the former site of a Grade II listed Boys Grammar School, the Leopold Hotel is Sheffield’s only four star boutique hotel. Quirky yet lavish, it’s worth a snapshot or two. - Garrison Hotel
Iconic to the landscape of Sheffield, the Garrison is a hotel converted from a former military guardhouse.
Free things to do in Sheffield
Sheffield is now classed as UK Smart City and is an up and coming new destination for weekend getaways, after a major re-haul to make the city center more presentable to visitors.
There are plenty of free activities and places to visit. Enjoy your visit!
📌 Like this article? Pin it…
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a program, we may earn a commission. This is at no additional cost to you.
