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21 of the best things to do in Sheffield

Sheffield has the accolade of England’s greenest city, there are more trees per person than any other city in Europe! Located in South Yorkshire and on the doorstep of the stunning Peak District, it’s known as the Steel City as it was once the steel-making capital of the world. It was first mentioned in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in the late 1300’s. That’s some history! 

From world-class theatre and family-friendly museums to great outdoor adventures, there's so much to do.

Here’s our lowdown on our Top 21 fun things to do in Sheffield if you live locally or find yourself in the area.

1) Sheffield Theatres. Sheffield's wonderful Theatre District is the largest theatre complex outside of London with 3 brilliant theatres so you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s the Playhouse, an intimate, versatile space for getting even closer to the action; the beautiful Lyceum, the main venue for touring productions; and the world-famous Crucible theatre and iconic Sheffield landmark. So get yourself ready for great shows with friends and family, there’s nothing quite like it!

2) Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park. Wildlife lovers will enjoy a trip here to wander through the rainforest while birds fly freely above your head and crocodiles peek out from just under the water. Head to their What’s On page so you can plan your visit.

3) Sheffield Museums allow you to discover the stories of the city and the people, see great art and design, and allow your imagination to soar. And the best bit is that many are free! The popular ones include:

  • Kelham Island Museum - experience 300 years of Sheffield history in the making
  • Millennium Gallery - the best of Sheffield art and design 
  • Weston Park Museum - Sheffield stories from prehistory to today!
  • Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet - take a step into the past and explore the industry that shaped Sheffield 
  • Graves Gallery - explore great art in the heart of the city
  • Shepherd Wheel Workshop - see the city’s knife-grinding history brought to life

Another popular one is the National Emergency Services Museum. It’s located in one of Yorkshire's first purpose-built combined Police, Fire and Ambulance Stations, dating back to 1898. With over 40 vehicles on display across three floors, you'll see everything from horse-drawn fire engines and ambulances to police cars. So if you have a wannabe firefighter or police officer on your hands, they’ll be in their element.

4) Sheffield Winter Garden is a true oasis nestled in the heart of the city and one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK in the last hundred years. It’s home to more than 2,500 plants from all around the world! So, if you fancy enjoying a stroll, learning about diverse plant life, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, this is the place to be.

5) Endcliffe Park is an extensive park and visitor destination with both parkland and woodland, whilst also being home to several monuments and memorial structures. There’s also a playground for children and an outdoor gym. It’s the first in a series of parks and green spaces known collectively as the Porter Valley parks. You can follow the network of parks and green spaces along the Porter Valley, all the way out to the Peak District. So get your family and friends together and enjoy the great outdoors. So get your climbing gear at the ready!

6) The Peak District contains some of the most beautiful scenery, walks and places to visit in all of the UK. A third of Sheffield lies in the Peak District National Park meaning its paths, hills, crags, reservoirs, and lidos are easily accessible by bus and train. If walking is your thing as you take in this stunning setting, check out the Top 10 Peak District walks near Sheffield. If you fancy exploring a little further afield, the Hope Valley train line that connects Sheffield to Manchester has a handful of stops in the Dark Peak (the higher and wilder part of the Peak District) including Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford and Edale. For climbers, you couldn't pick a better place than Sheffield, which is known as the UK's climbing capital.

7) Ten Pin Bowling is the perfect activity to enjoy whatever the weather, both as a family and with friends. You’ll love the brand-new centre with 21 lanes which are ready for some serious bowling action. Tenpin in Sheffield is so much more than your standard bowling centre with its all-singing, all-dancing range of indoor activities including karaoke rooms, laser tag, prison putt and escape rooms. So, if you’re looking for a day out with the kids or a night out in Sheffield, Tenpin has plenty to keep you entertained. There is also pool, table tennis, games arcades, and 2 cocktail bars to enjoy, plus tasty food too.

8) Air Haus. Your little ones will love bouncing their way around this extensive indoor inflatable course including drop slides, a wipeout zone, dual ninja run and an obstacle course. Expect fast-paced tech games to extensive sensory experiences, there’s something for all ages and abilities to burn off their excess energy. It’s located in Meadowhall Sheffield so you could combine your visit with a spot of shopping.

9) Live Music is thriving in Sheffield! Why not party with the headline acts at the Tramlines Festival or check out Leadmill which is the longest-running live music venue and nightclub in Sheffield?

10) Sheffield Cathedral in the city centre is the oldest building in the city where the history of Christianity goes back over 1000 years. It’s full of stories, wonderful stories that reflect the evolution of the city, the people and their place in history. So it’s well worth a stop off on your discovery of Sheffield.

11) Laser tag is the ultimate action-packed sci-fi adventure as you zap your way to victory with infrared guns, along with sound and lighting effects to make your laser tag battle realistic. On your laser quest for victory, head to Tenpin in Sheffield, the newest laser tag venue in the city to get your fun started.

12) Crazy Golf. Try the new prison-themed golf course in the City called Prison Putt which is inside Tenpin. Test your skill and composure as you make your way from room to room, hopefully getting the odd hole-in-one along the way.

13) The Sheffield Waterski and Aqua Park at the stunning Rother Valley Country Park offers a great opportunity for mountain biking or taking a stroll along its extensive circular walking trail. The centre of the park is framed by the Sheffield Waterski and Aqua Park where you can book various exciting water activities like jet skiing, pedal or rowboats, and paddleboarding if you’re feeling energetic. A great day out in Sheffield!

14) Ice Skating is a great way to get fit and have fun with friends and family at the same time or even get your groove on at an ice disco. If you need a break from the rink at Ice Sheffield, check out their high ropes adventure course, Altitude - great fun for everyone.

15) Holly Hagg Community Farm is famous for its guided alpaca treks through the woodlands of the Rivelin valley and around the farm. On arrival, the team will introduce you to the herd and show you how to hand-feed them before matching you up with your fluffy trekking companion. You’ll also see the other animals including mini pigs, poultry and llamas. This place is always a big hit so you’ll need to book early.

16) Retail Therapy. From high street to high-end, hidden treasures in second-hand stores to tasteful curated independent shops, Sheffield is a great place to shop. Meadowhall, one of the largest shopping centres in Britain, has pretty much any big retailer you can think of and is only a few minutes away from the city centre by bus, tram or train. Retail therapy at its best!

17) Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort is designed for children aged 2-13 and is home to roaring dinosaurs, indoor attractions and fun-filled theme park rides. Your kids will be immersed in themed areas including Western World, Smugglers Wharf and the Lost World of the Living Dinosaurs. There are themed accommodation options if you fancy staying over and having a little break. Why not, treat yourself to a cheeky night or two away?

18) Sheffield Sport. There is no shortage of sporting events throughout the year in Sheffield including football, ice hockey, basketball and snooker. So if live sporting action is your thing, grab your tickets then before you know it you could be taking in the snooker at the Crucible. Or even watching either Sheffield Wednesday or Sheffield United football clubs in action.

19) Karaoke. If you’re looking for some fun-filled karaoke with a bar in Sheffield, the newest karaoke rooms have arrived at Tenpin. Whether you’re looking for hen-do activities, a night out with friends, or a great time with family, you’ll be pleased to know there are thousands of karaoke songs to choose from. So make singing in the shower a thing of the past and release your inner singing diva as you get drinks and snacks delivered to your private room.

20) Sheffield Botanical Gardens cover 19 acres with over 18 different garden areas based on geographical or botanical themes from across the world and include over 5500 species. The gardens make a stunning outdoor venue for musical, theatrical and cultural events, perfect for summer entertainment. So keep a lookout for upcoming events!

21) Ninja Warrior Sheffield is inspired by ITV’s hit programme so get ready to hone your Ninja skills and take on different obstacles to test your strength. Conquer the great wall and test your agility on the obstacle courses full of bouncing, jumping, balancing and climbing challenges. Are you ready to give it a go?

So that’s our roundup of the Top 21 Things to Do in Sheffield. 

Now over to you. Let me know what you think by heading over to our social pages. Maybe there’s something I missed. I’d love to hear your thoughts!