Nether Edge named one of the best places to live in the UK
National newspaper, The Sunday Times, have once again released their annual guide of the best places to live in the UK and Sheffield's Nether Edge was listed in the 2024 cohort, with the publication having previously featured Kelham Island in their 2023 list.
As part of their comprehensive guide, The Sunday Times also featured a glowing article, which included much of the background evidence that contributed to Nether Edge making the shortlist.
So what did they say? We've picked out some of our favourite exerts below, but the full article is available here.
"This up-and-coming suburb is the city’s new family favourite offering steely returns"
Just south of the City Centre, Nether Edge is a leafy Sheffield suburb with a strong and friendly community of vibrant independent businesses. The Sunday Times listed it as one of only eight Northern residential areas to make their list, saying:
"Forget Totley and Dore, Whirlow and Millhouses, even Fulwood, and turn your attention to Nether Edge. Here you’ll find a happy community with cosy coffee shops where the barista knows your name, outstanding schools and annual neighbourhood-wide yard sales in front of Victorian houses that have been carefully updated with splashes of olive greens and soft taupes."
They go on to highlight some of the unique attractions of the area such as the Merlin Theatre and the quarterly Nether Edge Farmers Market, which takes place across several streets in the heart of the neighborhood, saying "in keeping with Nether Edge’s eclectic vibe, there might be performances by singers and clog dancers, skiffle combos and the Salvation Army band".
A good portion of the article, rightly focuses on the many restaurants, pubs, bars and shops in the area, with them saying:
"Nether Edge Road is dotted with independent stores such as Zeds Wholefoods, selling locally grown veggies, ethically sourced toiletries and plastic-free refills. There are a couple of well-stocked charity shops (Oxfam and St Luke’s Hospice), a Sainsbury’s local, a newsagent and Turners Bakers, which delivers its freshly baked breadcakes and baps across Nether Edge.
While lots have contributed to this unique vibrancy, Bench mentioned above will have no doubt helped shine a spotlight on the area, having received critical acclaim from several national food publications over the last couple of years, such as The Financial Times and The Observer Food Monthly.
Critically acclaimed neighbourhood bistro Bench in Nether Edge
Speaking to Nether Edge resident Will Roberts, the article also highlighted the suburb's proximity to the Peak District amongst other attractive factors. Roberts was quoted as saying:
“It’s got parks, lovely houses and a proper community feel, and there’s good schools, but it still feels quite urban and cool. The city centre is only a 20-minute walk.. jump in a car for 20 minutes and you’re in the wilderness of the Peak District”
The Sunday Times article also rated Nether Edge for livability factors such as broadband speed, schools (some of the best in the North of England), house prices and relative location to the rest of the UK.
Meanwhile, the opening paragraph of the article also set the scene for the wider city, taking the theme of Sheffield's growing knack for repurposing and comparing it with the capital, saying:
"From the funked-up former foundries of Kelham Island, reimagined as apartments and bars, to Urban Splash’s transformation of the Park Hill flats into a chic space where Monki-wearing locals sip Dizzy New Heights cocktails (Brugal rum, spent coffee and Bullion chocolate), Sheffield has been quietly going the full monty when it comes to regeneration."