Nature & culture: the perfect match!
Torn between recharging in the great outdoors or a buzzing city break with a plethora of fantastic food and drink delights to taste? No need to choose when you can have the best of both in Sheffield.
The beautiful vastness of the Peak District is so close to the vibrancy of our city, you can travel from one to the other in as a little as 20 minutes, plus you don’t have to drive as there’s both bus and train options to help you get there and back again.
But you don’t have to leave Sheffield completely as 1/3 of the city is actually within Peak District National Park, plus we have a whole load stunning parks and gardens worth exploring. And what about amazing foodie hangouts, theatres, galleries and nightlife? Yep we’ve got loads of that too!
Read on for some inspiration for your next weekend away…
Take a seat
The biggest theatre complex outside of London, Sheffield Theatres is the home of world famous productions such as Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Standing At The Sky's Edge and Life of Pi, which makes a highly anticipated return to the Lyceum later this summer.
Whether you want something high-brow or a little more light-hearted, The Crucible, Lyceum or Playhouse will no doubt have something to suit your taste, with their diverse programming of original and touring productions. If theatre is really your thing, you might also want to check out what's coming up at Theatre Deli.
See theatre listingsTake in the views
Famously built on a steep, hilly landscape, you'll find Sheffield's vibrant suburban districts are often centred around certain hillsides, all offering their own unique charm. Lots of them also have their own parks, offering brilliant views of the city from all different angles.
Just up the road from Kelham Island is the incredible Parkwood Springs, which as well as having some of the most unique and widest vistas of The Outdoor City, also happens to have the UKs only inner-city mountain bike trail.
Taste "the UKs foodie hotspot"
A title recently given to us by The Observer Food Monthly, as a result of a strong contingent of friendly neighbourhood bistros in the city, who've been winning over locals and wowing national food critics.
Whether you head for some inventive small plates at the fantastic Tonco, in Dyson Place just off Sharrow Vale Road, or you decide to explore some of the other brilliant restaurants, bars, pubs and coffee houses in the neighbourhoods of Nether Edge, Kelham Island and Abbeydale Road, you won't be disappointed.
And if you can't agree on which cuisine, Sheffield is also home to a number of fantastic food halls offering multiple tastes from across the world, all in one place.
Explore moreAbsorb some culture & heritage
Sheffield Museums Trust operate a number of galleries and museums across the city - including the Millennium Gallery (the most visited free attraction in the North), Kelham Island Museum and Weston Park Museum.
All 6 of their venues are totally free to enter, and explore everything from temporary and touring modern art exhibitions to permanent celebrations of Sheffield's heritage.
So whether you're a culture vulture or just a passing browser, you can spend as much or little time as you like exploring their exhibits.
See all galleries & museums
Take to the water
You might have heard of Kelham Island - it's one of the 51 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, according to TimeOut. But did you know that you can also explore it from the water?
For a really unique adventure experience, DC Outdoors can take you kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddleboarding on Sheffield's urban waterways, giving you a completely different perspective of the city.
And being The Outdoor City, they are just one example of the many great adventure experience providers based here. If adrenaline is really your thing, we should probably mention we're pretty good for climbing and mountain biking too.
Get some retail therapy
You'll find plenty of intriguing independent shops, like the award winning Trapeze, in some of the city's bustling neighbourhood districts, all just a short journey from those scattered throughout the city centre too. There's a lot of 'love local' ethos in our city, so you can be sure to find lots of Sheffield-made quality handcrafted and homegrown goods in these places.
But if you're after the big brands then we've got plenty of high street names around The Moor in the city centre and Meadowhall (the biggest shopping centre Yorkshire) is just a short tram ride away.
The right place to stay
Everyone has their own tastes - from hotels to Air BnBs; house boats to city apartments. What matters is finding somewhere with the right vibe, that gives you the best location to explore the places you want to visit. Luckily we have a load of great options spread across the city, so whether you want to get out into the Peak District or be out late in Kelham Island, we've got you covered.
Brocco on the Park is ideal for both - walking distance to the city centre, but right on the edge of Endcliffe Park (which you can walk through and end up in the Peaks in 40 minutes), and all the boutique luxury a weekend away deserves.
See all accommodationAdventure or leisure in The Outdoor City
Take a look at our Greenground Map and you'll see just how accessible our parks, rivers and green spaces are.
The Botanical Gardens are the perfect spot to go slow, unwind, sip a coffee and enjoy some quality time in the urban greenhouses and the legendary bear pit, before you make your journey home.
Or if more adventure is your scene, scroll through...
Adventure or leisure in The Outdoor City
Take a walk and watch some experts at work. Greno Woods is a bit further out of the city centre on the 86 bus route, but has some beautiful scenery to wander round. But mainly you'll be wondering how some of the mountain bikers here have the courage and skill to do what they do on some world class downhill tracks (it is, after all, the backyard of ex-world cup champ, Steve Peat).
Or you could get back on the water... (swipe or click arrow)
Adventure or leisure in The Outdoor City
Still accessible by the 57/57a bus from the city centre, you can get to Underbank reservoir in the Stockbridge area of the city, and pay Peak activity centre a visit, where you can do some more canoeing and a bunch of other outdoor activities from abseiling to archery, and orienteering to zip lining.
Want a full run down?
City Breaks
You don't have to go far to experience Sheffield, The Outdoor City, where nature and culture go hand in hand. Come and see what could be part of your next great weekend away.
An alternative LGBTQ+ guide
An alternative LGBTQ+ guide to Sheffield by Andro & Eve
Nightlife
Discover what Sheffield is all about when it comes to nightlife, from clubs and venues to late bars and hangout spaces.
Accommodation
Wherever you want to rest, you'll find it here in Sheffield. From four star hotels and family run B&Bs to homely self-catering cottages or caravan sites, you'll find accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
Headline Events
Here you'll find the special events that happen in Sheffield each year, whether they're internationally renowned and attract audiences from across the globe, or unique events we're really proud of that you'll only find in The Outdoor City.
Food & Drink
The best of our independent scene! From food halls to fine dining, street food to cosy cafes, across the city you'll be spoilt for choice.
Funding information
The advertising campaign promoting City Breaks in Sheffield is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus