Fun Things to Do in Sheffield for Students

Whether you’re looking to enrich your studies as a student, wanting to relax in a beautiful setting, or planning a trip out with friends after a day of rigorous coursework, Sheffield is brimming with activities. The city has plenty of things to do for students, so check out our guide on what to see in Sheffield to help you plan your time wisely!

What Is Sheffield Famous For?

If you’re a football fan, then you likely already know that Sheffield is where modern football originated. Sheffield Football Club was founded in 1857, earning its place as the oldest football club in the world. Home to Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United football clubs, the city hosts many games in the Steel City Derby. It also hosts the World Snooker Championship, which is the longest-running snooker championship in the world. 

Sheffield has a rich history in steelmaking and remains a central hub for manufacturing in the UK, but don’t let its industrialism fool you. Famously built on seven hills, Sheffield is known for being one of the greenest cities in the UK. Additionally, many popular bands originated from Sheffield, including the Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Def Leppard, and the Human League, making it a great place to explore local music. 

Best Things to Do in Sheffield City Centre

Sheffield isn’t just steel and football, however. You’ll find that there are plenty of things to do as a student in Sheffield City Centre. Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Sheffield during your studies.

Winter Garden

Connected to the Millennium Gallery, the Winter Garden is a 70-metre-long, 22-metre-high glasshouse containing over 2,500 plants from around the globe. It’s considered one of the biggest glasshouses for housing temperate plants across the UK. The best part is that admission is free, making it a top choice for free things to do in Sheffield for students on a budget.

Peace Gardens

A short walk away from the Winter Garden is the Peace Gardens. As the name suggests, these gardens symbolise returning to peacetime after the Second World War. Formerly part of the churchyard for St Paul’s Church, the gardens are a public space with stunning fountains, flowing cascades, and memorials. 

Sheffield Cathedral

Sheffield Cathedral is a Sheffield landmark containing the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul. With its stunning architecture and stained glass windows, the Cathedral is not only a historical icon; it’s also a lively community for religious worship. Sheffield Cathedral is Sheffield’s oldest building still in use on a daily basis. If you’re a student looking for a Christian community, Sheffield Cathedral offers services, music, and reflections.

The Moor and Moor Market

Whether you need to stock up on essentials for your student accommodation with Now Student Living or you’re looking for souvenirs for friends or family, there’s no better place to shop than the Moor Market. This market has more than 90 independent businesses, allowing you to peruse the stalls and find all kinds of treasures. Its independent food court contains cuisine from around the world, making for a tasty stop after exploring the city. 

Fargate and High Street

Fargate and High Street connect Sheffield City Centre to Castlegate. Fargate recently received a large amount of government funding to be converted into a social hub and was set to begin in the spring and summer of 2025. When done, this hotspot will be full of greenery, landscaping, seating, and charming lighting worth walking through as you explore Sheffield.

Sheffield Hallam Square

Hallam Square is a live music and sports pop-up hub, with events stacked nearly every day for those looking to wander around Sheffield City Centre. Close to Sheffield Hallam University, this public square is a peaceful place for uni students to relax and enjoy the greenery while seeing what events in Sheffield are taking place.

Sheffield Galleries

Sheffield offers several galleries that make for a perfect outing for curious students wanting to make the most out of higher education, including the Millennium Gallery, Graves Gallery, and Site Gallery.

Millennium Gallery

The Millennium Gallery showcases art from across the UK and internationally. As the heart of the UK’s metalwork, you can find local designs made by up-and-coming Sheffield artists. There are more than 800 cutlery, flatware, and tableware pieces to see at the gallery. Be sure to explore the Winter Garden connected to the gallery while there, then stop by the Ambulo café afterwards to enjoy a cup of coffee and their famous grilled cheese sandwich, and end your exploration at the gift shop. 

Graves Gallery

Above the main library, the Graves Gallery is an Art Deco visual art collection containing vivid colours and unique angles on Sheffield’s history. The gallery has an ever-changing exhibition with facts about Sheffield and beyond, making it a solid destination for when you need a break from your studies and just so happen to be at the Central Library.

Site Gallery

For the most contemporary art gallery in Sheffield, there’s no better place than Site Gallery. This international gallery is home to moving images, new media, and performances from talented artists. There’s also a café and shop for relaxing after exploring all that the gallery has to offer.

Sheffield Museums

Sheffield has three noteworthy museums, including Weston Park, Kelham Island, and the National Videogame Museum. 

Weston Park Museum

With robust columns that make walking into the museum an impressive experience, Weston Park Museum has been around for almost 150 years and displays Sheffield-themed archaeological and zoological exhibitions that enrich your understanding of the people and history of Sheffield.  

Kelham Island Museum

Kelham Island Museum tells the story of Sheffield’s steelmaking history by using interactive galleries and live presentations from craftsmen. See how the city developed into the steel industry and helped create modern cities throughout the UK. Afterwards, you can stop at their cafe, Joni, or enjoy the museum’s on-site pub, The Millowners Arms.

National Videogame Museum

If you love video games, then you absolutely must stop in the National Video Game Museum. This museum isn’t just a museum; it’s also an interactive experience where you can play over 100 UK-made games while learning about their histories. 

Sheffield Parks

While bustling back and forth between your student accommodations and university may feel like a hectic walk through the park, nothing quite compares to going to an actual park in Sheffield and enjoying the views. Here are some of the best parks in Sheffield to explore. 

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sheffield Botanical Gardens has more than 18 different areas, each of which contains unique geographical or botanical properties. The gardens also offer workshops, like felting, drawing, painting, paper staining, and more. So if you’re looking to change up your daily pace as a student, consider signing up for a workshop and checking out the gardens.

Endcliffe Park

Containing both parkland and woodland, Endcliffe Park is a network of parks full of duck ponds, riverside paths, and open spaces. Gather your uni friends and plan an outing for ball games, then stop by the Endcliffe Park Cafe for a locally-sourced meal. If you walk a little further, you’ll also see the Shepherd Wheel Workshop and the Forge Dam. 

Rivelin Valley Nature Trail

Rivelin Valley is a heritage trail filled with nature and activities, including paddling and interactive water play equipment for children. This makes it an ideal place for students with younger siblings or family members to visit. As you walk this trail, you’ll see historical sites from the Industrial Age, like 20 watermills and 21 dams that are no longer in operation. The Rivelin Park Cafe sits at the end of the trail. 

Theatres in Sheffield

Sheffield offers two main theatres for those who appreciate the arts, including the Crucible Theatre and the Lyceum Theatre. 

Crucible Theatre

The Crucible opened in 1971 and is named such because of crucible steel, which originated from Sheffield nearly three centuries ago and jump-started the Industrial Revolution. This modern theatre has a brilliant layout, with a stage surrounded by three sides, and tells the stories of classic dramas all the way to new ones. It’s also the host of the annual World Snooker Championships. 

Lyceum Theatre

The Lyceum has been around for over 100 years and contains a meticulously designed interior worth visiting. From musicals to comedies to dance to dramas, there’s always something exciting taking place at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.

Cinemas in Sheffield 

For viewing the latest films, check out Cineworld Sheffield, ODEON Luxe Sheffield, and The Light Sheffield, which are well-rated movie theatres in the area. Cineworld in particular offers 4DX cinema features for the ultimate viewing experience.

Sheffield Food Halls

Wondering where to eat in Sheffield? Look no further than the following best food halls in the city.

Cambridge Street Collective

This award-winning food hall has talented chefs presenting authentic cuisines from all around the world. You can find Mexican, West African, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Pakistani, Korean, and other dishes at this venue. The hall also offers plenty of events, including cooking classes, cocktail classes, pottery workshops, and international meals.

Cutlery Works

Another popular food hall is Cutlery Works, which offers a variety of food and drinks and also donates proceeds to charities. You’ll find 12 different partners, with food and drink from several cultures. Cutlery Works also offers drink specials for students, including a happy hour from 4 to 6 PM on weekdays, where you can get two drinks for £10 and 10% off the bar.

Sheffield Plate

Sheffield Plate sells street food from vendors specialising in cuisines from countries all over the world. Located in Orchard Square, the venue has two bars and six vendors, giving you a choice of what food and drink to try out. 

Sports And Activities In Sheffield

Sheffield also has plenty of sports and activities that make it a great place for students to live. Below are some of the more popular activities in Sheffield.

Ice Sheffield

For ice skating in Sheffield, there’s no better place than Ice Sheffield. This ice skating arena has two rinks fit for the Olympics and opportunities for ice skaters, no matter their level of expertise. Skate for leisure, or consider signing up for ice-skating lessons or competitions.

Climbing in Sheffield

The Foundry Climbing Centre has plenty of opportunities to climb. Be it indoors or outdoors, the facility offers bouldering classes, memberships, and group sessions with qualified instructors to give you new angles in Sheffield. Since Sheffield is near the Peak District, there is a large climbing community for practising indoors and outdoors. Other popular bouldering spots in Sheffield include the Climbing Works, the Climbing Hangar Sheffield, Awesome Walls Sheffield, and Depot Climbing Sheffield.

Go Karting in Sheffield

Sheffield has several go-karting facilities, including Parkwood Karting, Battlekart Sheffield, and TeamSport Go Karting. Most go-karting facilities are on the outskirts of town, so you may need to schedule your go-karting in advance to ensure you arrive on time. 

Bowling in Sheffield

The biggest bowling venues in Sheffield include Tenpin Sheffield, Hollywood Bowl Sheffield, and Lane7 Sheffield. Tenpin features karaoke, laser tag, escape rooms, and golf on top of bowling. Hollywood Bowl has an American diner theme, and Lane7 offers affordable bowling prices.

Escape Rooms in Sheffield

Top-rated escape rooms in Sheffield include The Great Escape Game Sheffield, Houdini’s Escape Room Experience, Cryptology Escape Rooms Sheffield, and Crack the Code Escape Room. Most of these rooms are near Sheffield City Centre, making them perfect for weekend fun in Sheffield.

Arcades and Mini Golf in Sheffield

Boom Battle Bar, Golf Fang, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, and Tenpin Sheffield are popular mini golf and arcade attractions in Sheffield. Many arcades in Sheffield have cocktail bars for relaxing and having fun, so be sure to prepare for nightlife in Sheffield. 

Day Trips From Sheffield

During your time as a student in the UK, travelling may be far from your mind. However, Sheffield is close to many popular attractions that are only a short day trip away. Here are things to do near Sheffield.

Peak District National Park

Located between Manchester and Sheffield, no visit is complete without checking out the national parks near Sheffield. At Peak District National Park, you can find trail walking, camping, climbing, cycling, air sports, water sports, caving, and horse riding opportunities, to name a few.  

Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs

These two reservoirs have an interesting history worth witnessing. Ladybower Reservoir was constructed in the 1930s and 40s with the intention of providing water to Sheffield and other cities. The reservoir needed to flood old villages in order to work, and it contains two bellmouth overflows. When full, you can see the water flowing into the structures, making for a sight to see. 

Meanwhile, Derwent Reservoir offers water activities like boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Chatsworth House

With an impressive 4,000-year history, Chatsworth House has been owned by the Devonshire family for 17 generations and hosts many events worth checking out. From flower gardens to art to sculptures, explore more than 25 extravagant rooms or attend one of their events.

Bakewell and Hathersage

To get a taste of the quaint villages around Sheffield, go no further than Bakewell and Hathersage. These two villages offer picturesque charm and beauty that take you away from some of the more industrial parts of England. Things to do in these towns include trying out the Bakewell Pudding, swimming at Hathersage Swimming Pool, and hiking the Stanage Edge Walks.

Book Your Student Accommodation in Sheffield

Student life is much more exciting when you’re at the heart of a city. At Now Students, we offer exactly that. You can find the best places to live in Sheffield as a student, form lasting friendships with our strong student community, and easily access all there is to do in Sheffield. Book your stay with Now Student Living today to get started on your journey as a Sheffield student.