I'm going to be in Sheffield for a few months. Not my first choice of UK city but the package is good. I haven't been for years and can't remember anything about it. I like getting out into nature, shopping at markets, charity shops, afternoon tea, and old fashioned pubs with snugs. And interesting food from different countries. Will I find what I'm looking for?
How's cycling in and around the city?
Where can I get to easily and cheaply for a weekend/day away, using public transport?
Pubs are innumerable and good. I live and work near Kelham island, which is very popular at the moment. Fat cat as above, Gardener’s rest, Shakespeares are my favourites (more complete list on other threads) and more traditional (with odd features). But there are many, many others. Plenty do a good line in independent music. Also check out cafe 9 in nether edge which is a bit of a hub for those involved in small gigs etc. Any musical preferences?
Food is good, Chinese stuff on the rise (students), Ethiopian, Greek, reasonable Indian places, there is at least one place that will do a kebab you might consider passable. Lots of more contemporary English/European food. Food hall (next to gardener’s rest) which has a wide variety of stuff. Vegan places. Some good breakfasts.
Public transport is... ok. I live central so rarely use it. Decent tram network, lots of buses. But they’re first busses, and consequently a bit shit.
Cycling for commute etc is much as any other uk city. There are quite a lot of hills though. If you like mountain biking it’s well provided with several proper tracks. The Peak District is in some ways great, but tbh I hate cycling on country roads - dangerous.
Markets - the big one is the moor market. It’s ok... not very trendy, which has pluses and minuses. Peddler night market happens once a month, but is more music and eating than shopping. Never actually been.
Technically you don’t really need weekends away, I mean the Peak District is on your doorstep. But the train will take you up to other bits of Yorkshire, or over the peaks to Manchester, south to London.
The art scene is a little disappointing from my perspective (being generally involved in art/design), but millennium gallery sometimes has good stuff. And there is a lot going on, it’s just a bit disparate. It does have one of the world’s premier documentary festivals, dunno if you’ll be around for that. And a music festival. Yorkshire sculpture park is nearby and amazing, you can get there by public transport I think, though it seems... more complicated than I thought. You’ll probably find someone who’ll give you a lift. Also independent cinema in the centre, with arts stuff attached.
It is exceptional for outdoor stuff. You can literally walk into the Peak District from the west of town. Climbing, fell-running and biking are the most popular sports. Loads of mountain biking as mentioned above (including some trails in town). There’s also a climbing centre (foundry) near me in Kelham island, should you want lessons.
I think generally you’ll find it an exceptionally welcoming place. People are proud of what they’ve made their city, and happy to share it (well, except that a lot of it is getting redeveloped).
