Why spend a weekend in Sheffield? We can think of a few reasons...
- Last year, we were named as the second best city break in Europe by TimeOut.
- Kelham Island was recently named one of Britain's coolest neighbourhoods (once again!)
- We've been crowned as the UK Foodie Capital and the Real Ale Capital of the World.
- Europe's largest purpose-built food hall has just opened in our city centre.
- Plus we're home to an amazing programme of city events and festivals throughout the year!
That means amazing food, theatre, street art, gigs, bars, clubs and festivals whilst you also hike, climb, bike and run through the greenest city in the UK - with 1/3 of it sitting in the Peak District National Park.
Sound like a good way to spend a few days? Then scroll down for more inspiration.
A city break with a soundtrack
Whether you've got tickets to a gig or festival in Sheffield already or love the thrill of discovering new sounds in unexpected places, there’s a whole lot more to explore in our musical city… and it’s not all blokes in bands either.
Throw in a legendary beer scene, amazing foodie places, indie shopping and great outdoors, and you’ve got a pretty enjoyable weekend away with your mates sorted...
Quality time together
Life can be hectic, so a little getaway once in a while can make all the difference, allowing you to chill out, recharge and reconnect.
In Sheffield, we have a bounty of beautiful greenspaces to explore in the city, plus we're perfectly placed with the Peak District on our doorstep. Combine that with bustling suburbs, foodie delights, creative experiences and fascinating heritage, and it's a pretty perfect match!
See moreUpgrade your business trip!
Well connected! Sheffield is slap-bang in the middle of the UK, making it an ideal host location for many national conferences, meetings and business events, plus with a compact city footprint you’re never far from some great places to unwind in too.
So if you’re in the city on business, why not make the most of your down-time while you’re here and be sure to explore our great outdoors, fantastic food scene and vibrant culture… it may just make you want to stay for longer.
Eat & drink
With the people who make Sheffield special
Sheffield's scene is bursting with exciting places to go. Independent, intimate, and carefully curated to give you a personal experience rather than feel like you're part of the routine.
That's thanks to the incredible people who have put their heart and soul into what they do, and they are the people you'll meet if you spend a few days eating & drinking your way around Sheffield.
Get to know who they are, and find out for yourself why the Observer Food Monthly thinks we are the UKs foodie hotspot.
Get outside
This is The Outdoor City, where your thirst for culture co-exists with some incredible nature
Welcome to Sheffield, where urban meets nature like never before. With 61% greenspace, we’re officially the greenest city in the UK and one of the greenest cities in the world.
Explore our streets & parks on foot and discover a city where one-third of the land is part of the stunning Peak District National Park. Sheffield is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with world-class opportunities for walking, bouldering, climbing, mountain biking, and running.
But don't let our natural beauty fool you. Sheffield is also a hub of culture, cuisine, and nightlife. As the fourth largest city in the country, we offer a diverse and vibrant experience unlike any other. Here, you'll find the best of both worlds, seamlessly blended into one unforgettable destination.
Look Up!
Look Up is turning the rooftops of some of Sheffield's most iconic buildings into a FREE, augmented reality art gallery.
Simply download the app (available for IOS and Android) and head out to one of four locations in the city centre where you'll find a Look Up portal, Scan the QR code and then wait for the magic to happen.
What will you see? We don't want to ruin the surprise...
Explore the city
Kelham Island
Kelham Island was named as one of the world's 51 coolest neighbourhoods in 2022 by Time Out. Once the beating heart of industry, Kelham Island is one of Sheffield’s oldest manufacturing sites, except nowadays these buildings house everything from indie shopping arcades to microbreweries and galleries.
Sheffield City Centre
Sheffield's City Centre is undergoing significant change, but while you may see a few more cranes and building work going on in places, this shouldn't detract from all the amazing places there still are to discover. From attractions such as the Winter Garden, Millennium Gallery and Sheffield Theatres to independent shopping and an array of great places to eat and drink.
Nightlife
Discover what Sheffield is all about when it comes to nightlife, from clubs and venues to late bars and hangout spaces.
Castlegate
Thanks to the Grey to Green project, use of meanwhile spaces, and inventive creations from markets to skateboard areas, Castlegate is seeing a total transformation.
See & Do
Sheffield's Big Events & Festivals 2024
2024 promises another huge line-up of exciting events and festivals happening across Sheffield, from large music festivals and international sporting events to food & drink celebrations, outdoor markets and lots of family fun.
Theatre listings
Sheffield has the second largest theatre complex in the country after London - and we have a number of productions which have gone south to the capital as well as across the pond, such as Everybody's Talking About Jamie, The Life of Pi, and Standing At The Sky's Edge.
Street Art
There are a number of street artists who live in Sheffield and make our walls into something beautiful for the city to be proud of. Their variety of styles can be seen here, as well as all over the world - and we have plenty of guest murals painted by artists who have visited Sheffield to create their own mark too.
Museums & Galleries
We have some incredible museums and galleries here, from those that celebrate modern and contemporary art to those that proudly champion the city's heritage. A lot of them are free, and they're all very easy to get to, meaning you can dip in to some culture without it taking up your whole day to do so.
No Bounds
Presenting a special weekend of music, art, technology and dancing in October each year, No Bounds is Sheffield’s most innovative and experimental music festival.
Peddler
Based at 92 Burton Road, Peddler Market showcases the very best street food from across the UK on the first Friday & Saturday of every month. Expect an ever-changing line up of truly mouth-watering traders, alongside top-notch craft beers, freshly made cocktails, live music and art.
Places to stay
Where is Sheffield again?
The Outdoor City is really easily accessible by train or by car (if you're bringing bikes or mats!).
Current train times:
| From | To Sheffield |
|---|---|
| London | 2:01 |
| Birmingham | 1:03 |
| Manchester | 0:51 |
| Leeds | 0:43 |
Approximate drive times:
| From | Miles from Sheffield | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| London | 165 | 3:00 |
| Birmingham | 90 | 1:48 |
| Manchester | 44 | 1:13 |
| Leeds | 33 | 0:50 |
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