22 best things to do in Sheffield when you’re broke!
Looking for things to do in Sheffield, but you’re on a bit of a tight budget?
There’s loads going on in Sheffield!
Whether you’re a student who has moved to Sheffield, you’re Sheffield born and bred or you’re fancying a staycation, there’s plenty of things to do in Sheffield, especially if you want to keep it cheap and cheerful!
Things to do in Sheffield…
If you’re broke or cutting your costs to save a bit of money, but you still want to get out there and do some awesome activities, then there’s plenty of things to do in Sheffield that are low cost or FREE!
It may not be as big as Manchester or London, but Sheffield is a lovely and welcoming city with the advantage of the Peak District National Park so close by.
If you’re looking for a UK staycation idea, Sheffield is a great place to visit because you have the best of both worlds…nature and city life combined.
You’re never far from a park and you’re not far from the Peak District, just a car journey or a bus ride.
Take a read of my post about how a staycation can help grow your bank balance- HERE!
What are the best things to do and see in Sheffield then…
1. Eat “pinchos” at The Old Workshop
Tucked inside the unassuming exterior is a magical wonderland of a fairy-lit sky, exposed brick walls and quirky little details is the Old Workshop.
This bar is sat in the heart of Kelham Island which is an old manufacturing industry site which has been turned into apartments, bars, pubs and is an up and coming quirky area of Sheffield.
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different or hipster to drink your craft beer, this is the place!
And…you just HAVE to try their pinchos!
Pinchos is basically a small tapas snack originating from Spain, including little chunks of bread with olives, jamon, queso, salmon and other delights.
You can pick and choose some nibbles to have with your drinks.
I love the atmosphere and the décor makes you feel like you’re definitely not in the middle of an old industrial area.
Unfortunately this bar is temporarily closed due to COVID. I really hope it gets up and running again soon!
2. Get a Notty pie
I don’t want to big these up too much but…These pies are out of this world!
You could call me a pie-oisseur get it? Nah that didn’t work very well!
These pies are the apple of my pie! Better!
Jokes aside, I’ve been going to this place for years and they do THE BEST pies I’ve had if you haven’t already gathered.
Nottingham House or Notty house to the locals, only sells pies and so as you can imagine, they specialize in this one dish.
At £8.95 on a weekday and a pound more on a weekend, you really get a lot for your money, which is why I believe they are great value and worth it if you’re on a budget because you won’t have to eat for the rest of the day!
You can get chips or mash and mushy peas with your epic pie.
If you’re looking for some traditional English food if you’re not from around these parts, honestly, this is the place.
The pies are homemade style, freshly cooked in-house.
They are rammed with all kinds of fillings, they don’t skimp on the fillings that’s for sure!
There are even veggie and vegan pies!
They have a bit variety of pies; chicken and leek, asparagus and mushroom, steak and Guinness…the list goes on.
But…the one I can recommend is the steak and stilton!
Boy is that tasty!
A top tip though, you don’t want to go too late in the day because once they’ve run out of pies for the evening, that’s it!
People are queuing up as early as 12pm at lunchtime and 5pm at dinner time.
So, if you’re Spanish, you’ll need to change your eating pattern to keep up, otherwise, you’ll be missing out!
3. Walk around Redmires Reservoirs
This is somewhere slightly off the beaten path that I can guarantee most Sheffield folk won’t know what it is!
Only 15 minutes drive or bus ride from the centre of Sheffield, this beautiful easy walk consists of three reservoirs next to each other.
The walk leads you around the reservoirs and lasts about 1 hour- 1 hour 30 minutes.
To get there, just get the number 51 bus to Lodgemoor and get off at the bus terminus which is a kind of car park opposite fields near to the Northfield pub.
Keep walking along the road past the pub and you’ll find yourself at Redmires in about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, type in S10 4QZ into your Sat Nav or google maps.
There are a few different car parks dotted around- Redmires Plantation is a good one to park in to access the beginning and end of the walk well.
What’s lovely about this place is they have vast amounts of bilberries growing over the marshlands – they’re ripe around August time.
4. Padley Gorge
If you’re looking for a lovely Peak District walk which is near to and easily accessible from Sheffield, look no further.
This walk is simply GORGE-eous, with stunning views, a mixture of different terrains and a pub at the end, you just can’t go wrong!
The walk follows the gorge along to the woodlands and what I love is you can make it as easy or as difficult as you want, or as short or as long as you’d like!
In fact, I’ve written a full post about this walk and how to get there- check it out here!
5. Longshaw Estate, National Trust
Longshaw Estate National Trust is near to and interlinks with Padley Gorge.
There are different trails around the estate that you can take to enjoy different sceneries.
I have written a post about the ins and outs of how to get to Longshaw and what to do once you’re there- be sure to check it out!
6. Forge Dam
You can easily walk here from Sheffield centre- Eccellsall Road to be precise.
At the end of “Eccy” road, you have Encliffe park, if you walk through the park and keep on going until to reach the end, you can see signs for the Sheffield Round Walk, follow these and you’re on your way to Forge Dam.
You can’t really go wrong here, you basically keep on walking (crossing 2 roads in between) and following the path and you’ll find yourself at Forge Dam.
Forge Dam and is such a lovely area with a cute café which sells food, ice cream, teas and coffees.
There’s always so many people making a stop here so be aware it will probably be busy!
It’s a great place to end your walk, or even a nice little stop off to continue your walk!
7. Trek the Sheffield Round Walk
If you’re feeling daring, you can try and complete this 15 mile Sheffield round walk!
This walk connects central Sheffield to the countryside, so you will really get a taster of different areas of Sheffield.
You could even stop off at a number of pubs on the way and Forge Dam!
The walk starts at Encliffe park and goes through Ecclesall, Ladies Spring, Chancet and Brincliffe Edge Woods; past Mayfield Alpacas, medieval Beauchief Abbey and Bishops’ House; and Graves, Meersbrook and Chelsea Parks.
It’s quite a diverse route and is sign posted the whole way round.
If you enjoy long walks in the country and you’re looking for Peak District walks near Sheffield, I’ve written a post about a few lovely walks near Sheffield- HERE!
8. Meet the Alpacas at Mayfield
For just £4.50 you can enjoy some time with the Alpacas at Mayfield in Fulwood.
Just type in S10 4LH to your Satnav.
Alternatively, you can get there whilst doing the Sheffield Round Walk or even when you’re visiting Forge Dam.
9. Beautiful Botanical Gardens
If you love wandering around parks and gardens, then the Botanical gardens are worth a visit.
Watch out for all the squirrels running about, they’ve become really tame and will come right up to you!
The gardens are FREE to enter and there is a lovely café side which you can sit and enjoy coffee and cake while being surrounded by the delightful views.
There are sometimes concerts and other events going on in the park like Art in the Park and Bonfire night, so have a look to see if anything is happening when you’re visiting.
10. Breakfast at Café Pie, Walkley
Café pie in Walkley is nothing short of a hidden gem!
You know what… I think nowadays it’s hard to find traditional English greasy spoon type cafes.
These days, the streets are lined with upmarket and frankly expensive eateries which don’t give you great value for money.
Well…this quaint café does tasty food at such a reasonable price.
I have been on numerous occasions for a full English which honestly fills me up until the end of the day.
They do all different breakfast options as well as their classic home-made pies and cakes.
11. Grab a bite at the Francis Newton
Although this is actually a Weatherspoons, it is based next to the wonderful Botanic gardens so is a great spot to get breakfast or lunch before a nice walk in the gardens.
The building is super cool and the beer garden is lovely with trees and a garden surrounding it.
There’s plenty of space outside, so on a sunny day it’s a great place to get a beer!
And not to mention it’s super cheap with it being a Weatherspoons!
12. Yehetian Hot Pot, West Street
The hot pot at Yehetian is out of this world!
It’s so tasty!
I love the concept of this place.
How it works is, you grab yourself a bowl and some pincers and choose what you want to go into your hotpot (spicy soup).
There is LOAD to choose from like fish, veg, seafood, tofu, noodles and other Chinese ingredients like fish balls.
Once you have put what you want in your bowl, it is weighed and you basically pay for however much you want in your hot pot.
They ask you how spicy you want your broth and then throw all the ingredients together.
They then bring your BESPOKE hot pot to your table, with everything you have chosen to go in it!
This place is really cheap considering you get more hot pot than you can eat. The average price for a substantial amount of ingredients is about £7-8.
Although, I have been before and only spent around £6 because I’ve gone for lighter ingredients like noodles and veg.
13. Crookes Valley Park
Right next door to Western park is Crookes Valley Park, home to the Dam House pub.
This park is a spectacle and even if you’re just walking past it’s hard not to peak at the stunning view from the road.
On a hot day many bring DIY BBQs, jump in the lake and play ping pong on the table tennis table.
In spring the trees are filled with cherry blossom, such a gorgeous sight!
14. Wander Western Park
Based near The University of Sheffield just up from West Street, lies the lovely Western Park.
It is such a beautiful and well-kept park, great for an afternoon picnic!
At the entrance near Crookes Valley Park, there are some tennis courts which can easily be booked online for only £1– such a bargain!
15. Western Park Museum
Western park museum is based in…yes you guessed it…Western Park!
It’s FREE entry, so you just can’t go wrong!
They have different events advertised like life drawing and various exhibitions.
At the moment, you have to book a spot because they are accepting limited walk-ins.
16. The Fox House
This such a cosy traditional vintage pub based in the Peak District.
For more information on how to get there and the lovely walks you can take surrounding this pub, go to my post HERE.
17. Sharrow Vale
Sharrow Vale is a cute little street behind or parallel to Ecclesall Road. If you cut down the street next to Nonnas restaurant, you will find Sharrow Vale.
It’s definitely worth a look if you are in the area because you’ll find some cute and quirky little gift shops, card shops, bakeries, eateries, art shops, antique shops and all sorts!
It’s an interesting street that’s for sure, and it’s home to the Lescar pub, which I talk about later on!
18. Peace Gardens
The Peace Gardens are right in the centre of town next to the Town Hall.
The best time to go to the Peace Gardens is during Christmas time when there are Christmas markets and Thors tent which has a lovely fire pit in the centre of a large tipi, selling mulled wine and other drinks!
19. Visit Victoria Quays
Victoria Quays is an up and coming area near the centre of Sheffield.
Having just celebrated its 200th birthday the quays is full of history and stories.
Filled with canal boats, there’s a lovely walk along the canal all the way to Meadowhall.
It’s such a tranquil spot with a few benches dotted about and Victoria Junction café where you can have a bite to eat.
20. Walk through the Winter Gardens
In between the Peace Gardens and the Crucible, you have the Winter Gardens.
The Winter Gardens is a large glasshouse with exotic plants growing up to the tall roof which is free to walk through.
It’s definitely worth having a walk through if you’re nearby.
There is a lovely gift shop inside with cute Sheffield souvenirs and hand made items, along with the Millenium art gallery.
21. The Crucible
Home to the snooker championships, the crucible is a theatre when it’s not hosting the snooker competitions.
There’s plenty going on, so take a look at the website and see what you fancy.
22. The Lescar
The Lescar pub on Sharrow Vale Road do a great Sunday lunch!
I love this pub because it has so much character inside and from the outside it looks so normal!
They also have a wonderful beer garden with a great atmosphere.
I enjoy going here because it’s off the beaten path slightly and not as busy as those pubs and bars on Eccy Road.
To conclude…
These 22 best things to do in Sheffield will certainly keep you busy!
And better yet…you won’t have to break the bank doing these activities.
You can sight-see and visit some great places without forking out- BINGO!
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Yours,
Holly
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