Out & About in Sheffield

With a population of more than 500,000 people, Sheffield is a bustling city that is home to numerous shopping centres, two universities and a very lively night life scene. With the famous Crucible Theatre and Meadowhall retail complex nearby, there is something on offer for the entire family.

Shopping

Perhaps the most well-known shopping destination in Sheffield is the Meadowhall complex, which is easily accessible by tram from the city centre. Attracting over 400,000 bargain hungry shoppers each week, it provides the retail buzz for those that seek a shop-till-you-drop experience. With hundreds of stores to choose from, you would be hard pressed to find a product or brand not catered for, and the food hall combined with the selection of restaurants gives plenty of choice on where to eat.

For a slightly more casual shopping experience, within the city centre its self there is the Devonshire quarter. Famous for its designer boutiques and award winning independent shops, it provides more than half a mile squared of retail space, set through the streets of Sheffield. Also situated in the quarter is the Devonshire Green, which is one of the largest parks in Sheffield, complete with sculptured gardens and a skate park - making it an ideal place to take a break from all the retail therapy.

In the heart of Sheffield a collection of smaller shopping centres provide all the big brands we have come to expect. Primark, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and HMV all have large stores there, amongst other easily recognisable national chains.

Food and Drink

As you would expect from a large city, Sheffield offers a great selection of places to wine and dine. The food on offer ranges from American to Spanish, and Mexican to Japanese. If you are willing to move away from the city centre, the choice on offer is simply dazzling.

Hungry shoppers have a fantastic selection of places to eat during the day and night, with many different restaurants being situated either within or very close to many of the main shopping centres. La Mancha for instance, is in the heart of Sheffield town centre, and offers Mexican and Spanish style tapas dishes.

With two universities based in the city, the night life certainly lives up to expectations. There are clubbing events seven days a week - most of which are not restricted to students. There is a wide selection of clubs, including music venues such as the Carling Academy.

For those who prefer a slightly more relaxed night out, there are plenty of pubs and inns serving cask ales and food. One of the most popular is the The Howard Hotel, a traditional pub close to Sheffield train station.

Arts & Entertainment

In such a bustling city, there is always plenty to do.

Sheffield offers a range of different museums and activity centres, with the Traditional Heritage Museum and the Magna Science and Adventure Centre being the best known. The museum looks at the history of English culture, whilst Magna looks at the application of science with exhibits like a fire tornado.

Within the city centre sits the Site Gallery, which displays some of the world's most critically acclaimed contemporary art, and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and artist "question and answer" sessions. For fans of more traditional art, the Mappin Art Gallery is the place to be - showcasing paintings from the 16th to 19th Century as well as some more modern pieces.

One particularly notable attraction in Sheffield, is the Winter Garden which opened in 2002. Housed inside a greenhouse with more than 2,500 square meters of glass, the gardens have won an array of awards, including three gold awards courtesy of the European Federation of Interior Landscaping.

Sheffield is also home to the Crucible Theatre, which famously hosts the World Snooker Championships. Aside from potting balls, you can also watch a vast array of different productions across the city's three principal theatres - the Crucible, Studio and Lyceum.

Hotels and Travel

Sheffield is fortunate to stretch from busy urban areas through to green open spaces, so whether you are after a short stay in a city hotel or a more rural inn, you are bound to find something you like.

The city itself is easy to navigate, with plenty of cycle routes, public paths and bus services - including the popular trams. Shuttle buses also run to key attractions, such as the Meadowhall Shopping Centre.