Sian Victoria © - Sheffield Botanical Gardens

How to spend a day visiting Sheffield – Places to go

Nestled on the outskirts of the Peak District, Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in the UK and is home to some of the most unspoilt beautiful scenery in the country. With stretches of the countryside surrounding the city centre, Sheffield is a vibrant trendy city worth visiting.

Sheffield is most popular for its combining of rich culture and history with outstanding, picturesque views and scenery like nowhere else in the UK. Boasting beautiful botanical gardens, a historical cathedral and fragments of the city's industrial history, there’s no shortage of iconic landmarks to discover throughout the city.

Visit Sheffield on your next city getaway and have a read of this handpicked travel itinerary to make sure you see all the best sights on your trip.

Places to visit in Sheffield

Here are just a few of the top-rated tourist attractions, historic sites, landmarks, and points of interest to visit in Sheffield. As well as the architectural buildings to admire while you explore the city’s streets. Plus, one of the best restaurants and bars to visit in Sheffield while you take a break from sightseeing.

So, here’s how to spend a day in Sheffield personalised from my previous visit.

1. Stroll the Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sian Victoria © - Fountains at Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sian Victoria © - Cactus at Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sian Victoria © - Glass Pavilion, Sheffield Botanical Gardens

If you’re a nature lover and enjoy growing house plants as much as I do or looking for a place to relax after exploring the city, strolling around the Sheffield Botanical Gardens is a must. Best of all, it’s free to enter so everyone can enjoy the beautiful sights that are to be experienced here.

Home to over 5,000 magnificent species of plants, making for a beautiful oasis of nature. You’ll get to explore 19 decorated acres of green spaces boasting looming trees, stretches of lawns, winding walking paths and gardens based on varying botanical and geographical themes.

Since its first opening in 1836, these gardens have been enjoyed for centuries by locals and visitors alike. If you're looking for a way to unwind, a stroll around these fascinating gardens should certainly be at the top of your list of things to visit while you’re in Sheffield.

Just outside of the main city centre on Clarkehouse Road, the gardens are a perfect way to take a break from exploring the city’s iconic landmarks while you enjoy the variety of plant and botanical species throughout your walk.

My favourite things to see at the expansive 19th-century gardens are admiring the desert plants inside the historical glass pavilions and wandering the rose garden near the fountain display.

2. Express your curiosity at the Sheffield Weston Park Museum

Located within Sheffield’s beautiful Weston Park is the Weston Park Museum. Before you even step foot inside the museum, you’ll be in awe of the magnificent building it is housed in. The structure dates back to the late 19th century and expresses a stunning neo-classical architectural style.

After you’ve taken in the beauty of the building itself, stepping inside is sure to entertain you even more. Stroll through the museum and take a journey through the history of Sheffield, with interactive exhibitions and gallery spaces detailing the development of the city throughout the centuries, such as Sheffield’s role in the Industrial revolution.

As well as boasting a variety of facts and historical fragments of Sheffield’s local history, the museum also explores other fascinating histories, such as being home to an Ancient Egyptian exhibition and a multitude of archaeological artefacts.

If you're visiting the museum with family, children are sure to enjoy Snowy the Polar Bear and other fun exhibitions. There’s so much to see and do at this museum.

3. Admire the Sheffield Winter Garden

Sian Victoria © - Sheffield Winter Garden

After you’ve explored the Botanical Gardens, why not admire the beauty of the Sheffield Winter Garden, too? As one of the largest contemporary glasshouses in the UK, this garden is free to enter and consists of an array of beautiful plant and botanical species from around the world.

From Madagascan palm trees to eucalyptus plants and bamboo, there are over 2500 plants for you to admire as you stroll through this city centre passage of green wilderness.

Although the plants are certainly the main attraction within this glasshouse, there are plenty of other things to see and do within the garden if you need a break from perusing the botanicals. Explore the various retail units within the garden, as well as discover the attractions within the glasshouse’s very own gallery and exhibition spaces. Sit down for a refreshment at the café before finishing up your visit to the winter garden and exploring the rest of the attractions Sheffield has to offer.

The Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel dining area overlooks the glasshouse, so if you’re looking for the best places to stay in Sheffield it’s a city centre hotel to consider where you can enjoy views from above the winter garden.

4. Explore the Millennium Gallery

If the Weston Park Museum didn’t satisfy your curiosities enough, you can head on over to the Millennium Gallery. Access to this incredible gallery is available through the Sheffield Winter Garden and is completely free to enter. See some of the best art and design, boasting local and national work, throughout this magnificent gallery.

Delve into Sheffield’s industrial side by exploring the Metalwork Collection, in which over 800 pieces of metalware can be seen, with each piece in the collection representing a part of the city’s industrial history.

The Millennium Gallery is one of the best ways to get an insight into Sheffield’s rich culture and history, with exhibitions showcasing the talent of local artists and work by the incredible artist John Ruskin. Whether you're an art lover or not, you shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit this gallery to appreciate local art and heritage.

5. Eat vegan food at Church, Temple of Fun

Sian Victoria © - Church, Temple of Fun, Sheffield

Fancy a bite to eat when needing a break from discovering the sights of the city? Planning a visit to Church, Temple of Fun is a must. Owned and created by Bring Me The Horizon’s frontman Oliver Sykes, Temple of Fun is a modern eatery in which religious iconographic architecture meets modern industrial design.

Located within Sheffield’s Kelham Island district, this unique vegan food place in Sheffield serves up classic pub grub with a plant-based twist. With prices starting from £10.50 for mains you can indulge in delicious Beyond Meat burgers, seitan kebab and Moving Mountains hot dogs to name a few.

And you’re sure to be tempted by the loaded fries. My favourite is the ‘Satay Away’ crispy French fries smothered in rich peanut satay sauce, Oumph ‘chicken’, roast peppers, spring onion and sprinkles of sesame seeds for £7.95.

You’ll find everything at Temple of Fun is made using only the best ingredients and is sure to satisfy your taste buds. You’ll also find a dessert menu, ‘Sunday service’ for indulgent roasts, and kids’ meals. Plus, a fantastic drinks menu, especially if you’re into craft beers.

Whether you’re vegan or not, a visit to this distinctive eatery is certainly something you shouldn’t miss experiencing while visiting Sheffield. I may be biased, (I’ve been a loyal BMTH fan since 2006 and have been inspired by Oli Sykes to visit the SAWA dog shelter) but the top-rated reviews of this warehouse-style restaurant and bar are a reason to visit in itself.

Plus, with terrace views overlooking the river Don, arcade games, live music and movie nights, interactive booths, ‘Instagramable’ interiors, a dog-friendly vibe and a smiley face greeting you into the toilets from a TV screen on the ceiling. It’s undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Sheffield for food, drink, and entertainment.

6. Enjoy a walk in the local nature reserves

Although you can take a stroll through the number of public gardens throughout Sheffield, some nature reserves make for a perfect spot for a walk when wanting to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Among these numerous nature reserves is Ecclesall Woods. Near the border of the Peak District National Park, these woods stretch across 250 acres and is the largest semi-natural woodland space throughout South Yorkshire.

Perfect for all ages, walk along the signposted paths and take in nature – a great spot to visit if you have a dog with you, too. Sit down for a refreshment at the woodlands café before going back out to complete your walk.

Another wonderful spot is Graves Park. Just on the outskirts of the main city centre, this 248-acre space boasts open lawns and winding woodlands. Stroll through the walking paths before sitting down on the green spaces to enjoy a picnic as you look out onto the large duck pond, before heading back to the heart of the city to see the rest of Sheffield’s iconic attractions.

7. Admire the architecture in The Peace Gardens outside Sheffield Town Hall

The Sheffield Town Hall is perhaps one of Sheffield’s most iconic landmarks. Completed in 1897, the town hall is a grand, imposing Victorian building that makes anyone stop and stare at its beauty. See the Renaissance Revival style architecture used throughout the building and explore the beauty of the classic rooms within the town hall, including the Mandela Room and the unique Mirror Room.

Outside the façade of Sheffield Town Hall are the Peace Gardens. This award-winning space was originally constructed in the 18th century and makes for a perfect place to sit and unwind on a warm summer's day as you admire the grand town hall.

As well as being home to four fountains, each representing Sheffield’s industrial history, there’s a range of other points of interest to be found in the gardens. Notice the Spanish war Memorial, honouring those whose lives were lost, as well as the Bochum Bell, sitting above a flowerbed to honour the heritage of both Sheffield and the German city of Bochum.

8. Take in the architecture at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

Another example of the fascinating architecture within Sheffield can be seen by visiting the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The Cathedral is Sheffield’s oldest building, originally constructed in the 13th century. See the medieval architectural style, with notes of gothic and Victorian architecture across the building, as well as modern design choices thanks to more recent reconstructions.

This unique mixture of architectural styles makes this building even more fascinating and worthy of a visit. Take in its colossal stained-glass windows, elegant, pointed arches and ornate decoration that echoes its colourful, distinctive history.

Entry is free to this stunning cathedral although donations would be very much appreciated. So, why not put this building on your travel itinerary when planning a visit to Sheffield?

9. Enjoy live music, movie night and drinks at Temple of Fun

Yes, I’m biased plugging this venue again, but I know you’ll love it and no I don’t have any affiliation with this place. If it was in my hometown of Birmingham, I’d be visiting daily to indulge in a ‘Syko’ burger so it’s a good job I can’t visit as often as I’d like. It was also voted 'Best Vegan Restaurant' in the Exposed Awards 2022.

If you’re staying the night in Sheffield, a visit to the Temple of Fun is a must. As well as serving up fantastic vegan food that is sure to linger in your mind and urge you to visit again, they occasionally host live music, movie nights and art events too such as gathering with other like-minded people and drawing dogs.

Known as ‘Church’ Temple of Fun is one of the most unique spaces within Sheffield, this multi-functional historic industrial building is home to the Bring Me The Horizon recording studio and the HQ of the Drop Dead clothing brand.

After a day of sightseeing be sure to visit Temple of Fun to sit down for a bite to eat and a cocktail while potentially catching a movie, a band signing or a live music performance in this one-of-a-kind venue. You’ll find a list of events on their website. If there isn’t an event on, you’ll have video games and cool vibes to keep you entertained and plenty of interior design elements to appreciate.

To conclude

So, there we go. A run-down of some of the most iconic attractions to see in Sheffield and the best things to get up to if you decide to plan a visit. If you want to explore the city like a local, you can book guided tours of Sheffield to discover its hidden gems.

Or if you’re looking to book experiences in Sheffield such as afternoon tea, spa days, paintballing, or helicopter rides over the Sheffield countryside there’s plenty more to do in this city that I’ve not mentioned. And since you’ll be nearby, you may want to check out my things to do in Leeds post to turn your visit into a Yorkshire road trip.

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