Whether it's centuries-old architecture or more modern contemporary design, Sheffield is a city waiting to be discovered. With its bustling city centre, featuring a mix of shops, bars, restaurants, and world-class theatres and museums, there are plenty of activities for both day and night.
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With direct trains from all over the UK to Sheffield, it's an ideal destination for a day trip or short break. By using TrainSplit's unique journey planner, you can cut down costs and maximize your savings with some cheap train tickets.
Getting around Sheffield
Getting around Sheffield is easy, whether you choose to walk, cycle, or take the bus.
Sheffield Connect, a dedicated city centre shuttle bus service, operates seven days a week, making stops at key locations, including Paternoster Row (for Sheffield railway station), West Street, and Fitzalan Square.
For cycling enthusiasts, there are various routes across the city, with maps available on the Sheffield City Council website. If you prefer not to bring your bike on the train, you can rent one from Russell’s Bicycles Shed, conveniently located next to the railway station.
Exploring on foot is another option to discover hidden gems. Consider taking a private walking tour to learn more about Sheffield city.
For shopping or exploring nearby areas, the South Yorkshire Supertram offers a convenient mode of transport. The network serves many of Sheffield's main attractions, including the rail station, cathedral, sports arenas, Meadowhall shopping centre, and the nearby town of Rotherham.
Here are some great things to do while you're in Sheffield
1. Visit the National Emergency Services Museum, located in one of Yorkshire's first purpose-built combined police, fire, and ambulance stations in the city centre. Explore over 26 exhibition areas and around 45 vehicles, interact with exhibits, and even climb aboard some of the vehicles.
2. Explore life and work during the industrial revolution at the Kelham Island Museum. This museum celebrates 300 years of Sheffield's manufacturing history, taking you through the Victorian age, celebrating the Women of Steel, and showcasing how the industry forged the modern city.
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3. Join a distillery tour and tasting visit at the Locksley Distilling Co. This independently owned distillery was established in 2023. At the gin experience, you are able to distill your own gin or take part in a cocktail making class, where you can learn how to make 3 different cocktails.
4. Home to over 2500 plants from around the world, the Sheffield Winter Garden is one of the largest temperate glasshouses ever to be built in the UK. Conveniently-located in the city centre near to the Crucible Theatre, it offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle. So whether you're looking to enjoy a stroll and learn more about plant life or simply enjoy the surroundings, the Winter Garden has something for everyone.
5. If you want to take part in a retail experience, then take a trip to the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. With 290 stores, 50 places to eat and drink, and even an 11-screen cinema, you will find everything all under one roof. It's easy to get to Meadowhall on public transport, and cheap train tickets to get there are easy to purchase from our website.
The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.
The app is available on both iOS and Android devices. Just search for "TrainSplit" in your app store and download the app today.
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Places to Eat in Sheffield for All Budgets
Whether you're on a tight budget or looking to indulge, Sheffield offers a diverse culinary scene to satisfy every palate. Here are some recommendations for places to eat in Sheffield that cater to various budgets:
Fine Dining
Rafters - 220 Oakbrook Road, Sheffield, S11 7ED
This restaurant tucked away in the suburb of Nethergreen with its exposed beams and brickwood add character to this restaurant. The restaurant offers 4 or 6 course set courses along with their Kitchen Bench menu with modern flavourful dishes along with an extensive wine and drinks list.
Verogusto - 12 Norfolk Row, Sheffield, S1 2PA
If you like Italian cuisine you will discover this restaurant on the cobbled streets of Sheffield. This family run Italian restaurant is proud of the food it services and the ingredients it uses are either local or arrives from italy. It has an extensive menu and pairs each of its desserts with a digestivo.
Joro Restaurant - Krynkl, 294 Shalemoor, Sheffield, S3 8US
Set within the Krynkl shipping container development, this simple but stylish restaurant is driven by flavour using British ingredients, the tasting menus have a strong Asian base. The restaurant is designed as an informal open plan dining room to create an immersive dining experience.
Mid Range Dining
The Hidden Gem - Ringinglow Road WORK Ltd, Off Folkwood Grove, Sheffield, S11 7TB
This is the perfect quiet retreat set back from Ringinglow Road. There is a range of hot drinks and cakes, light bites and delicious specials or if you would like something more substantial, they why not try there famous full English breakfast.
The Treehouse board game cafe - 41 Boston Street, Sheffield, S2 4QF
This cafe has over 800 board games and is a welcoming space for experienced and new gamers. Alongside the wide range of games, there is also a cafe style food menu, with an emphasis on local producers and a variety of drinks from draft craft beer to barista style coffee.
Turnip & Thyme - 740 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TB
This restaurant serves British favorites and classic dishes. These dishes are prepared using ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, this is the perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. From the traditional roast dinner or vegetarian offerings there is something for everyone.
Eateries that won’t break the bank
The Bessemer - 58 Leopold Street, The Fountain Precinct, Sheffield, S1 2GZ
This pub in the heart of Sheffield is a friendly venue offering delicious food from small plates to burgers and family favorites.
The Beer Engine - 17 Cemetery Road, Sheffield, S11 8FJ
If you like craft beer or continental lager, why not take a trip to The Beer Engine? You can enjoy a drink while indulging in their small plates selection. In the mood for a Sunday lunch? Take a walk to their sister venue, The Old Workshop.
The TrainSplit app is more than just a way to save money on train travel. It's a great way to explore new places and meet new people.
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Sports and Leisure
Located at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United FC, also nicknamed ‘the Blades’ due to the history of cutlery production, has been used as a football ground since 1855. It now holds the title of the Oldest Professional Football Ground in the world.
Are you a Sports Fan? TrainSplit has partnered with Pledgeball, a grassroots charity that rallies fellow fans to take action to protect where we play, making changes that improve our air and our green spaces. It can be as simple as swapping to reusable water bottles or taking the train to a match instead of driving. Fans, players, clubs, grassroots teams – the impact we can have together is game-changing.
Sheffield is also home to the World Snooker Championship, held at the Crucible Theatre since 1977. This long-running tournament gathers professional snooker players from around the globe.
Image credit: Gary Butterfield | Unsplash
Alongside the football and snooker, there is a host of other leisure centres and activities around the city, from swimming and athletics to golf. These are managed by Sheffield City Trust.
Planning an overnight stay or a weekend away in Sheffield?
Whether it's an overnight stay or a weekend away in Sheffield, why not extend your stay and explore the surrounding areas of Yorkshire? There is a whole range of accommodation available in the city centre for various budgets, and perhaps some of the savings made through the purchase of cheap train tickets from our website could go towards a hotel stay. Whether you're looking for a base camp or a luxury stay, you can uncover the ideal place to unwind for your exploration.
Looking to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break.
Our top tips and ways to cut down train travel costs and buy cheap train tickets to Sheffield
Here are our top tips and ways to cut down on train travel costs for your journey to Sheffield:
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Book your train tickets early: If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money on your train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save money on your rail travel and increase your chances of being able to purchase cheap train tickets for your journey to Sheffield.
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Use a Railcard: Another easy way to maximize your savings on train tickets is to get a railcard. With a railcard, you could save up to a third on your tickets, and if you make a few train journeys, the railcard will pay for itself in no time. Did you know that TrainSplit now sells digital railcards? To see the railcards that we offer and the eligibility requirements, just click here.
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Split your tickets: With TrainSplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that make it easier for you to find cheap train tickets, and best of all, TrainSplit will do all of the work for you.
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Avoid Peak times: Don’t need to travel so early in the morning? Why not travel off-peak to cut down your costs and get some cheap train tickets for your journey to Sheffield? Another benefit is that trains are likely to be quieter in the off-peak travel periods, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.
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Multiple people travelling: Take a look at GroupSave train tickets. These are a great way to get cheap train tickets for groups of 3-9 people traveling.
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Consider an alternative route: If you are not traveling from London, why not consider traveling not via London? CrossCountry operate routes to Sheffield but avoid London, and this can be a great way to cut down train travel costs. For example, if you're travelling from Reading or Oxford, you can travel via Birmingham with just one train change on your journey. Using TrainSplit’s journey planner will search for the cheaper routes to Sheffield and can possibly save you money with the purchase of cheap train tickets.
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Claim Delay Repay: If you are delayed on your journey, you may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation on your train tickets.
By using these tips along with TrainSplit’s unique journey planner searching for the best train ticket deals, now is the time to explore new destinations and maximize the savings on your train journeys."
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Frequently Asked Questions
Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.