What Is Sheffield Best Known For
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- 10-05-2022
Are you planning a visit to Sheffield? We look at what Sheffield best known for and where you should visit to find out more about this historic South Yorkshire city.
About Sheffield
Sheffield, England, lies between the River Don and River Sheaf, at the foot of the Derbyshire Hills in South West Yorkshire and is England's fourth-largest city.
A visit to the Peak District National Park isn't complete without seeing this former industrial city and powerhouse of the north.
With stunning pastoral views, Victorian mining towns, mineral springs and manor houses, there's plenty to see when you come to visit Sheffield, and it has more to offer than any other city.
There are plenty of green spaces to explore, with cultivated gardens and the lush Weston Park to wander around at your leisure. If you're looking for something more fast-paced, you can always head to the city centre.
As a university town, there's plenty to see and do. The local industry and academic institutions have partnered to create amazing places to explore, such as the Technology Park, and there are many historical buildings to admire.
Sheffield has been famous for its high-grade steel for centuries. Whether this steel has gone into weapon manufacturing, toolmaking, construction or cutlery, the quality of Sheffield steel has a global reputation.
It was even mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', where the father of English poetry notes a "Sheffield thwitel", which is an ancient precursor to the modern pocket knife.
History of Sheffield
Humans have inhabited the area around Sheffield since the late Stone Age, roughly 12,000 years ago. When the Ancient Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century CE, Sheffield was occupied by the Brigantes tribe.
The modern Sheffield city region formed the boundary of their South Yorkshire territory. We believe it was the Brigantes tribe that built a string of hill fortifications around the site where Sheffield now stands.
Britain fractured into various Brittonic kingdoms when the Western Roman Empire fell in 476CE. Sheffield sat at the border between two of these kingdoms, Elmet and Mercia, with the Sheaf and Don rivers forming a natural border.
Soon after this, Anglo-Saxon settlers began to form their own kingdoms on the west coast of Britain and Sheffield changed hands once more, becoming an Anglo-Saxon village in the kingdom of Deira.
Once the Anglo-Saxons were finished, the Vikings took their turn, and Sheffield once again became part of a new kingdom - Northumbria. It's here that we find the first traces of the modern Sheffield.
In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the hamlet of "Dore" is mentioned, which is still the name of a suburb of today's Sheffield. It was in this hamlet, in Sheffield, that the kings of Wessex made a key move towards unifying the warring kingdoms into modern England.
If you know your British history, you know Sheffield has one more invasion in store. William the Conqueror and his Normans sailed over and turned the hamlet into a small town, building Sheffield Castle and Castle Square in the process. From here, Sheffield grew into a larger market town as trade and manufacturing boomed.
As Geoffrey Chaucer previously mentioned, Sheffield was famous for its knives in the 14th century, and this tradition continued into the later mediaeval period.
During the reign of the Tudor dynasty, Sheffield Castle and Sheffield Manor hosted Mary, Queen of Scots, between 1570 to 1584 while imprisoned by Elizabeth I.
During this time, the city's reputation for metalwork earned it the honour of being the largest cutlery manufacturer outside London. This led to the formation of the manufacturer "Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire".
Sheffield in the Industrial Revolution
In the first half of the 18th century, a manufacturing process of crucible steel was discovered, allowing foundry workers in the Sheffield steel industry to produce a higher quality of steel than ever before.
Simultaneously, a method of silver plating was also developed, leading to the creation of "Sheffield Plate".
Combined, these two innovations helped the city grow rapidly until the late 18th century, rivalling the industries of other powerhouses across the border in Lancashire and the North West.
Unfortunately, this period was followed by a decline in exports resulting in poorer living conditions and a cholera epidemic in 1832. Despite this, the city's population boomed throughout the 19th century.
The Sheffield and Rotherham railway was built in 1838, with the location being given city status in 1893 by letters patent.
With the increased population, greater demands for safe water were met by digging several new reservoirs around the city. Though, Sheffield's troubles didn't end there.
One of these new reservoirs burst, leading to the Great Sheffield Flood in 1864, destroying large parts of the city.
The bustling urban life of Victorian Sheffield, with rows upon rows of back-to-back houses, alongside the smog and pollution from the numerous factories, led George Orwell to comment in 1937, 'Sheffield, I suppose, could justly claim to be called the ugliest town in the Old World'.
Despite Orwell's observations, the beautifully designed Town hall was constructed in 1897 in a Renaissance Revival style and is well worth visiting, as is Sheffield City Hall, which has hosted numerous famous names, from Pink Floyd to Lou Reed. Another marvel of Victorian architecture is Sheffield Train Station, which, for architecture enthusiasts, is also worth a visit.
Sheffield in the Blitz
As with the rest of the world, Sheffield suffered during The Great Depression of the 1930s. But as the decade progressed and the Second World War loomed, Sheffield's metalworkers were charged with manufacturing weapons and ammunition.
Due to this, the city became a major target for the Axis powers and was subject to numerous bombing raids. Many buildings were targeted, such as Sheffield Station as vital infrastructure and the western end of Sheffield Cathedral.
The nights of the 12th of December to the 15th, 1940, saw the heaviest bombing and became known as The Sheffield Blitz. The local airbase at RAF Norton attempted to protect the vital city with barrage balloons, though this could not prevent the killing of over 600 people.
Many of the buildings in the city were destroyed or badly damaged, but the city continued to produce the vital arms for the British forces.
Sheffield Following World War II
After the devastation of the war, large parts of Sheffield (mostly slums) were cleared and replaced with housing, such as the construction of the Park Hill flats.
Throughout the 50s and 60s, large areas of the city were also cleared for new road systems. It seems fate still had plenty in store for the already battered city.
In early 1962, the Great Sheffield Gale saw the buildings and inhabitants of the city buffeted by winds reaching 97 mph, which left four people dead and over two-thirds of the houses in need of repair.
Not only this, but competition from cheaper steel production abroad saw many of the city's famous steel mills close.
Like most industrial areas in the north of the UK, the 1980s was a period of rapid deterioration in job opportunities and living conditions.
The construction of the Meadowhall Shopping Centre on top of a former steelworks in the early 90s received a mixed reception.
The construction and opportunities at the centre provided more jobs for the city, but it also increased Sheffield's rate of decline as a former industrial power.
Many attempts throughout the 90s to regenerate the city, such as the World Student Games, the building of the Sheffield Arena, Don Valley Stadium and Ponds Forge complex, have worked to bring the city back from the brink.
21st century Sheffield
The regenerative projects of the 1990s continued into the early 21st century. The 'Heart of the City Project' saw numerous public works conducted within the city centre, from renovating the Peace Gardens to opening the Millennium Galleries, Winter Gardens and Millennium Square during the early 2000s. Other developments involved the renovation of Sheaf Square in front of the renovated railway station.
This square houses "The Cutting Edge" sculpture made from Sheffield steel. Despite all this work to rejuvenate the beleaguered city, it was then betrayed from within.
Like everywhere else in the country, Sheffield suffered greatly during the 2007 floods, with the Don and Shead rivers, so integral to Sheffield's history, bursting their banks, leading to widespread flooding, including at Meadowhall and Hillsborough Stadium.
However, Sheffield remains a resilient and steadfast city. Despite its many trials throughout the centuries, Sheffield continues to fly in the face of adversity. Its rises and falls have given it an international reputation and make it such a fascinating place to visit. A city with unmatched spirit, it has produced countless artists, musicians, athletes, movie stars and engineering innovators.
Actor Sean Bean, novelist Barry Hines, and musicians Alex Turner and Richard Hawley are all Sheffield natives, and they all have one thing in common - a rich love for their city of Sheffield.
What is Sheffield known for today?
Sheffield's multicultural population is reflected in the wide array of authentic cuisine available in the city. There are plenty of cafes, bars, and independent restaurants to choose from, particularly along London Road.
Different cultures offer every type of food and drink you could want in a range of budget options. There is truly something for every taste, from street food to artisan bakeries to fine dining.
Vito's Italian Restaurant comes well recommended for excellent Mediterranean cuisine for lovers of Italian food. If you're looking for something a little further east, Meraki Greek Restaurant is the place to go.
Otto's Restaurant offers home-cooked Moroccan food for those with more exotic tastes, complete with live music and belly dancer performances.
Of course, with our love of Indian food in the UK, you can find several Indian restaurants in Sheffield city centre, but we recommend Cardamon for those looking for some delicious food.
There is plenty to entice art lovers to come to Sheffield, with the Millennium Gallery being the main art gallery to visit. The gallery is free to enter for visitors, with a duo of permanent collections to view alongside temporary exhibitions to enjoy.
The pieces making up the gallery's collection range from an extensive metalwork collection, design and contemporary art to fine art and the Ruskin Collection.
John Ruskin was a Victorian artist, critic and patron who knew and worked with some of the greatest artists in British history, from JMW Turner to the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
His collection at the Millennium Gallery contains numerous watercolours, drawings, prints, minerals, plaster casts, book illustrations, coins and manuscripts. In the metalwork exhibit, you can see designs from manufacturers inspired by Sheffield's steel industry.
The Millennium Gallery also offers spaces for corporate events, weddings and other occasions where space is required. They also have a fantastic on-site cafe for you to grab some refreshments while you visit, or you can purchase some souvenirs to remember your trip from their gift shop.
The "Green Environment" project wants to see more trees planted and green areas throughout Sheffield to create a more natural environment for residents and visitors alike.
Bringing more colour into the city is transforming the previously grey and industrial scenery into something more vibrant and enjoyable. Due to this, Sheffield is set to become one of the greenest cities in the country.
The Green Directions venue also offers multi-functional spaces for environmentally-friendly events. They produce low carbon products to increase sustainability in cities and towns throughout the UK.
This organisation aims to protect our environments, both in our cities and outside of them, which they are thankfully succeeding at. They save roughly 40 tonnes of CO2 from entering our atmosphere every year.
As mentioned earlier in our history of Sheffield section, the city is famous for its industrial past. From its humble beginnings as an Anglo-Saxon village, Sheffield grew to be known as "Steel City", thanks to its successes and becoming a world leader in steel manufacturing.
Once Thomas Boulsover discovered the method of fixing silver to copper ingots, "Sheffield Plate" became a world-famous product. You can visit areas of the city where its manufacturing past can still be felt, from its silverwork producing belt buckles and snuff boxes to its history as a key cutlery producer.
There is also plenty to see regarding the city's past producing edged tools, from knives and axes to razors and nails.
To find out more for yourself, you can visit the Kelham Island Museum, which displays Sheffield's industrial history through fantastic exhibitions and on-site artisans demonstrating the skills that made Sheffield famous.
To find out more about the major role Sheffield played in the Industrial Revolution, the Kelham Islan Museum is the place to go.
If you're looking for sports history, Sheffield F.C. is the world's oldest football club still playing today, having been founded in 1857.
Of course, you'll know about Sheffield's other two teams, Sheffield United, supported by the likes of Jessica Ennis and Sean Besan, and Sheffield Wednesday, whose games you can attend whenever you are in town during the season.
You can also visit the ground of Sheffield Hallam F.C., the world's oldest football ground, not to be confused with Sheffield Hallam University.
This independent cinema was voted a favourite amongst Guardian readers in 2002, and you can catch any number of arthouse and cult films on its screens.
Harkening back to the early days of cinema and film, you can find the picture house inside a stunning 1936 art-deco building. It was used as a backdrop in the music video for "Leave Before the Lights Come On" by local lads, the Arctic Monkeys.
The Showroom is also a member of the BFI Film Academy, bringing 16 to 19-year-olds into filmmaking and allowing them to express their creativity.
The 19-acre Sheffield Botanical Gardens were designed by Robert Marnock and opened in 1836. There are over 5,000 species of trees, plants and shrubs to admire in this stunning environment.
You can stroll freely through the gardens, visit the glasshouse and learn all about the beautiful plants housed within the gardens. There are also guided tours for those who want to know anything and everything about the greenery around them.
The garden also contains some of the city's oldest buildings and historic pavilions. The plants on display come from a wide variety of global locations.
There are plants native to Asia, the prairies of the USA, the Mediterranean, woodland and rock-and-water plantings. There is also plenty to keep the children entertained with musical, cultural and theatrical performances.
Sheffield also has an impressive history in the performing arts, with the largest theatre complex outside of London.
There are three main theatres in Sheffield's centre: the Lyceum, the Crucible and Crucible Studio.
Visitors can find a variety of shows being performed, from local touring productions to big West End musicals. Snooker fans will also be very familiar with the Crucible Theatre as the host of the World Snooker Championship.
Sheffield also boasts a fantastic shopping experience that matches the city's authentic spirit. Intimate shopping districts have popped up from varying collections of independent retailers. There is a diverse mix of shops, bars, and restaurants, with all tastes catered for.
Whether you want to mark your visit by picking up some local specialities, go digging for antique treasure in the Antiques Quarter, or fancy splashing some cash at designer boutiques, there is everything you could want or need in Sheffield.
Visit Moor Market, where you can find an indoor farmer's market offering organic produce and artisanal delights. For the shopaholics out there, you can visit Meadowhall Shopping Centre, which offers over 200 retail outlets for you to browse.
The Devonshire Quarter is another nationally recognised shopping area packed with award-winning retailers.
If you want vibrant nightlife, Sheffield is the place to go. Whether your idea of a great night out is partying to the small hours in some of the best clubs or a quiet night of cocktails with friends, Sheffield has everything you could want.
Sheffield's nightlife is buzzing all year round, especially around West Street, Division Street and Carver Street, which are all studded with clubs and bars.
You could try one of the many pubs dotted through the city for a more traditional evening, such as The Sheffield Tap.
Are You thinking of visiting Sheffield?
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If you are planning a weekend or a longer holiday to Sheffield, we welcome you to stay in our cosy boat hotels. Our unique accommodation is popular among families and groups of friends who want to experience something different.
If you have any questions regarding our boats, or would like to enquire about the availability or make a booking, please simply call 07776 144 693 or use the form below to forward your enquiry.