sheffield Archives - SmartSplit.co.uk https://SmartSplit.co.uk/tag/sheffield/ Buy Cheap Train Tickets Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:34:36 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://SmartSplit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/294748859_423505363129012_7461189509751287711_n-150x150.png sheffield Archives - SmartSplit.co.uk https://SmartSplit.co.uk/tag/sheffield/ 32 32 5 buzzing cities for a weekend away by train https://SmartSplit.co.uk/two-minute-reads/5-buzzing-cities-for-a-weekend-away-by-train/ https://SmartSplit.co.uk/two-minute-reads/5-buzzing-cities-for-a-weekend-away-by-train/#respond Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:38:11 +0000 https://SmartSplit.co.uk/?p=3481 You can’t beat a good weekend away. It’s a chance to see a city at its most lively, and the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. So, why not leave the car at home? Here’s our round-up of some great cities for a weekend away by train. Where can I go for a weekend away… Continue reading 5 buzzing cities for a weekend away by train

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You can’t beat a good weekend away. It’s a chance to see a city at its most lively, and the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. So, why not leave the car at home? Here’s our round-up of some great cities for a weekend away by train.

Where can I go for a weekend away by train?

Looking for a great night out, a chance to sample some local delicacies or to just to see the sights? There’s something for everyone, here. We’ve visited all of these places ourselves, too. Just click the link at the bottom of entry to find out more.

Newcastle

Newcastle might have an atmosphere as a party city, but it’s so much more. By day, you can work your way around its free museums and art galleries, such as the Discovery Museum and the Baltic. Have a stroll around the Quayside and admire the many bridges, too:

newcastle quayside, which can be visited on a weekend away by train

 

Looking for a drink? Newcastle is filled with hip craft beer spots, cute cocktail bars and plenty of classic pubs for a pint. Best of all, Geordies have a reputation for just being pure friendly. Want to see what we got up to? Click here.

York

York is a perfect weekend away by train for history buffs and train geeks alike. You could walk the walls, visit the National Railway Museum and admire the facade of York Minster without spending a penny.

Don’t forget to explore the many independent shops on the Shambles, either:

york shambles

 

Or, perhaps you just want to go out of your way to find the brilliantly-named Whip-ma-Whop-ma-Gate. We paid a visit to see the sights, too.

Sheffield

So, what’s going on in the City of Seven Hills? Quite a lot, in fact, and definitely enough for a great weekend away by train! It’s filled with free museums, such as Kelham Island Museum and the Millenium Gallery. You can learn more about the rich history of Sheffield, as well as the people that make it great.

Why not shop till you drop in the Vintage stores of Division Street? Don’t forget the fried chicken at Lucky Fox, either. Or, you could take it easy and have a stroll around the Botanical Gardens:

sheffield botanical gardens, which can be visited on a weekend away by train

 

One of us lived and studied in Sheffield for four years, so we’ve got plenty of tips! Find out more here.

Glasgow

There’s something in Glasgow for everyone. Fancy admiring a wall covered in cars? You can do that at the Riverside Museum, for free:

arnold clark car wall, riverside museum

 

It’s home to the People’s Palace and Kelvingrove Museum, too. They don’t cost a penny, either. Fancy getting closer to nature? You can go say hello to the coos in Pollok Country Park, or admire the plants in the Botanic Gardens.

Peckish? Don’t pass on the fluffy soufflé pancakes at KoKo House. Find out more about what we saw and did here.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a perfect weekend away by train for music-lovers. It’s the home of so many class acts, after all. You can learn more about them in the Museum of Liverpool. No prizes for guessing which is the most famous act:

beatles statue, liverpool

 

As well as soaking up some art in Tate Liverpool, you could pop out of the city and enjoy a bracing coastal walk in New Brighton or West Kirby.

Of course, you could spend an entire weekend trying to spot all of the Superlambananas. Take a look at what we chose to do

Is there anything else I should know?

Feeling inspired? Looking to book a ticket and have a weekend away by train? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

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Best Eateries near Stations (in the North) https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/cafes-and-restaurants-destinations/best-eateries-near-stations-in-the-north/ https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/cafes-and-restaurants-destinations/best-eateries-near-stations-in-the-north/#respond Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:48:24 +0000 https://SmartSplit.co.uk/?p=2224 It’s always good when you can find somewhere convenient to eat or drink near a station. It’s in a great place for one, so you don’t have to worry about trekking to or from your train. Here at SmartSplit, we’ve visited a variety of cafes and restaurants in the North of England to bring you… Continue reading Best Eateries near Stations (in the North)

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It’s always good when you can find somewhere convenient to eat or drink near a station. It’s in a great place for one, so you don’t have to worry about trekking to or from your train. Here at SmartSplit, we’ve visited a variety of cafes and restaurants in the North of England to bring you our best eateries near stations.

What are the best eateries near stations?

Howst (Sheffield)

Kicking off our best eateries near stations list is HowSt in Sheffield. Located at the top of Howard Street, next to Sheffield Hallam University, it’s a short five minute walk or so up (or down!) the hill to/from the station.

They specialise in a selection of breakfast and brunch foods, as well as your standard hot drinks and even cocktails. You can find the menu here.

It’s quite popular too, and we were lucky to get a table when we visited around midday. It’s really cosy and welcoming though, and the staff give you some true friendly Sheffield hospitality.

For food, we picked the ‘Sroom’, which is poached eggs on toast with mushrooms and a Bloody Mary sauce. It came to £9.50:

poached eggs and mushrooms on toast served at howst, one of the best eateries near stations

We’d definitely recommend paying a visit. Just try to avoid the rush around 12 to 1pm, as it can get very busy! The food here is delicious and the service is brilliant.

Meat:Stack (Leeds)

Okay, so Meat:Stack don’t actually have their origins in Leeds. They’re a Geordie-born business, but their Leeds branch is just around the corner from the station. Just pop out of the main entrance, turn left, then take a sharp right back along Bishopsgate Street.

It’s a pretty basic fast food-esque restaurant, but you wouldn’t come here to kill a lot of time. It’s all about filling yourself up with delicious food!

Think Five Guys burgers, but with some friendly northern service and way more flavour and creativity. If you want to see what’s on offer, click here.

We went for the New Mexico burger and some loaded spicy fries. A meal deal for a burger, fries and a drink starts at around £14:

food served in meat stack, in leeds - showing a burger and loaded fries

When you order, you’re given a little buzzer that’ll go off when your food is ready. However, the staff just brought ours straight away as it was fairly quiet.

If you really want a good burger, then Meat:Stack is one of the best eateries near stations that you’ll find.

Partisan (York)

This is the most walking you’ll need to do for one of our best eateries near stations. Partisan is around a 10-minute walk from York Station, located on Micklegate. If you’re after an ‘elevated’ brunch, we’d recommend paying a visit.

It’s really popular, and even when we visited at 2pm on a Wednesday, it was pretty full. Thankfully, there’s a heated and covered outdoor terrace, so we sat there.

You’ll find the menu here. We went for the chorizo on toast (front) and vegan breakfast (rear) which were £14.50 each:

chorizo on toast and vegan breakfast from partisan, one of the best eateries near stations

It’s a little expensive for just one dish, but it’s filling and tasty food. The chorizo on toast is very generous with the amount of meat you get, and the caramelised onions are absolutely delicious.

Partisan is one of the best eateries near stations for brunch. If you’re visiting York too, we’d recommend making it part of your itinerary!

The Sitting Room (Saltburn)

The Sitting Room is definitely one of the best eateries near stations if you’re all about location. Simply step off your train and turn left. Take a few steps forward and it’s on your right.

We just popped in for a cup of tea, so don’t have any food pictures to share. But as you can see, it has a cosy little bar and plenty of places to sit and relax with a book or the paper:

interior of sitting room cafe, showing the bar area

They specialise in sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks for the most part. It’s classic café food with friendly service. Once it gets a little later though, you’ll find cocktails and beers to choose from as well.

It seems to have two different ‘vibes’, with it being a cosy little cafe during the day, but it has a more intimate restaurant feel in the evening. We loved it as a spot to come in and enjoy a hot drink, especially on a cold windy day.

Zapatista (Newcastle)

Zapatista is a Mexican taco and burrito restaurant, which started out on Newcastle’s Ridley Place. Nowadays, you’ll find a branch on Grainger Street (just two minutes from the station) as well as one in Durham.

Each restaurant is full of quirky decor and has loads of places to sit and relax. The one by the station isn’t too busy if you want to sit down either, as it’s more popular with delivery apps and takeaway orders.

The menu is available here. You’ll find tacos, burritos and fajitas as well as items like nachos and chilli. As it happens, we went for the chilli and rice, which cost £7.20:

chilli and rice in zapatista - one of the best eateries near stations

It’s customisable (like most dishes on the menu) so you can put your own twist on it, and it was a really filling bowl of chilli as well. It’s a great lunch spot and one that we’ve visited for a number of years.

Feeling hungry yet? Don’t worry. You can book a trip to all of these eateries with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any fees, including if you change your mind. All of our tickets are either refundable or changeable with no extra charges.

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Day trip to Sheffield https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/day-trips/day-trip-to-sheffield/ https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/day-trips/day-trip-to-sheffield/#respond Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:39:33 +0000 https://SmartSplit.co.uk/?p=2147 Having lived in Sheffield for nearly four years of my life, it’s always somewhere I’ll consider a second home. It’s where I went to university and in more recent times, I worked there for a year. That’s why I’m taking a trip to Sheffield today to show you what there is to do and how… Continue reading Day trip to Sheffield

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Having lived in Sheffield for nearly four years of my life, it’s always somewhere I’ll consider a second home. It’s where I went to university and in more recent times, I worked there for a year. That’s why I’m taking a trip to Sheffield today to show you what there is to do and how to get there!

It’s a city built on seven hills, meaning that you’re in for plenty of exercise when you visit. It’s also one of the greenest cities, too. You’ll find four trees for every person! It’s famous for steel, cutlery, Henderson’s Relish and being reyt friendly, too.

What’s the best way to take a trip to Sheffield?

For most, that’ll be by train, of course! You can get to Sheffield from all over the country. Lots of cities have multiple options for this, too. Let’s take a look at the options you have from some key destinations:

  • If you’re coming from London, the logical option is to take East Midlands Railway from London St Pancras. However, some of these trains can be quite short and don’t make for the most comfortable trip. It could be cheaper (and more comfortable) to choose from LNER, Grand Central or Hull Trains from London Kings Cross to Doncaster, and change trains there. We’ve written a guide on the best trains from Sheffield to London, too
  • Manchester folk have three operators to choose from. You could take Northern, TransPennine Express or East Midlands Railway. Northern are undoubtedly the cheapest, but their recent popularity has meant that trains have been a lot busier than they used to be. They’re a good bet on a weekend though, when six-coach trains can be put on. East Midlands Railway is a good bet for a faster train, while TransPennine Express have been suffering from poor reliability on the route in recent times, so they’re probably best avoided
  • There are a couple of routes to pick from if you come from Leeds. The absolute cheapest trains tend to be the ones that go via Castleford or Moorthorpe (if you’re booking an Advance single ticket) which are run by Northern. The faster ones are shown as ‘fast’ (naturally!) and go via Barnsley. The very fastest are run by CrossCountry, but they could get quite crowded at busy times.

This is just a basic run-down, but we’ve written plenty of articles about the different aspects of travelling by train. Take a look at our guide to the best First Class train as well as the best one if you’re travelling with luggage.

Seeing the sights

So, what is there to see in Sheffield? Well, I’m going to take you on a walk through the city to begin with. We’ll take a look at some of the main sights, the coolest streets and learn some weird and wonderful facts along the way.

The first thing you’ll see on your trip to Sheffield is of course, the station. Take a short walk straight ahead past the fountains first, then cross the road. After crossing another (smaller) road, you’re now on Howard Street. This is the first hill you’ll have to contend with, though it’s quite gentle by Sheffield standards! Not to worry, once you reach the next main road (Arundel Gate), our first attraction is straight in front of us…

The Winter Gardens

When you cross the road, head into the building in front of you. Up the escalator and straight through a gift shop, and you’ll find yourself in the Winter Gardens:

sheffield winter gardens, which can be seen on a day trip to sheffield

Pretty striking, isn’t it? For me, this was always a refuge from the chilly winter weather, as it has to stay somewhat mild inside to keep the plants happy.

The Winter Gardens were opened in December 2002 and were the largest glasshouse in any European City Centre at the time. You could actually fit 5,000 domestic greenhouses inside of it!

You’ll find 150 different species of plants in the Winter Gardens, and you’re free to wander around. There’s a café inside too, so it’s a nice spot to sit back and enjoy a coffee.

The Peace Gardens & Town Hall

You’ll find two different entrances either side of the Winter Gardens, each with their own attraction. We’ll head out of the west-facing one first, which brings us to the Peace Gardens. Completed in 1998, it’s one of the main public spaces in the City Centre.

It has water features (designed to represent each of Sheffield’s rivers) and plenty of green space to relax on. It’s a firm favourite during the summer and plays host to funfairs, seasonal markets and the like. It doesn’t look quite as exciting during a windy morning in March, but a couple of folk were still enjoying the breeze (and the cherry blossoms):

sheffield peace gardens and town hall

The rather grand-looking building in the background is Sheffield’s Town Hall. It’s been a Sheffield landmark since 1897, and it’s a favourite for protests, weddings or anything else you could think of. It’s undoubtedly one of the ‘grandest’ buildings in Sheffield, both inside and out.

My memories of it consist of being a student journalist and sitting in on the full meetings of the council. You’d expect local council meetings to be boring, but this was at the height of the Sheffield ‘tree saga’ (click here for an explainer on that!) I witnessed everything from people fainting mid-speech to protesters being escorted out after demanding someone’s resignation by drooping a giant banner from the public gallery.

The Crucible & Lyceum

If you head out of the ‘other’ Winter Gardens exit, you’ll reach the Crucible and Lyceum Theatres. The Crucible is of course famous for hosting the World Snooker Championship, so if you’re a snooker fan, a photo outside the Crucible will be an essential part of a trip to Sheffield.

the crucible and lyceum theatres

Sheffield Cathedral

Just a short walk from here is Sheffield Cathedral. It’s a true melting pot of different architectural styles, with the earliest parts dating from around 1200, while the newest date from 1966.

You can pop in for a service or a guided tour. You’ll even find a 3D guided tour of the cathedral on their website if you’d prefer a day trip to Sheffield from the comfort of your own home!

It’s easy to get to if you’d prefer to take public transport, too. The Sheffield Supertram stops right outside:

sheffield cathedral with a tram-train in front

Division Street

Heading back into the City Centre proper, you’ll find one of my favourite streets. I suppose it has to be, as I did live on it for a year! Division Street is home to loads of independent shops, cafes, barbers and just about everything you could think of. A stroll down here is an essential part of any trip to Sheffield.

If you fancy doing some shopping, then I’d recommend Preloved Kilo. As the name suggests, everything is sold by the kilo, so you can find some real gems for very little money.

If you turn left here into a small area called Aberdeen Court, you’ll also find one of my favourite coffee shops. Steam Yard is a great place to pop into when it’s a bit nippy outside, and there’s plenty of places to sit and have a natter or just chill out:

interior of the steam yard cafe, showing an empty room with a mug of chai on the table

The other thing I loved when I lived around here was the murals. Keep an eye out for the giant toucan behind the Frog and Parrot pub:

toucan mural advertising guinness, division street, behind the frog and parrot pub

Sheffield University

While a university campus doesn’t seem like the most exciting place to go for a walk, it’s a pleasant way to get from the City Centre to the likes of Weston Park. You avoid the busy traffic, and there’s a few interesting buildings to look at on the way.

St George’s Church

The best place to start is by heading up Mappin Street and taking a left turn past St George’s Church:

st george's church, university of sheffield

Despite appearances though, this is no church anymore! These days, it’s a lecture theatre (and a rather strange-feeling one, at that). It’s actually possible to live in it as well, as the clock tower houses at least one apartment, owned by the university.

Glossop Road

Keep heading straight and across the tram tracks, and you’ll eventually wind up at this trio of buildings:

firth court, alfred denny building and arts tower, university of sheffield

On the left is Firth Court, which was the first purpose-built university building in Sheffield. It was actually funded by the people of Sheffield, too. Over £50,000 in penny donations were collected so that it could be built between 1903 and 1905.

On the right is the Arts Tower, which represents a different era entirely. It’s actually the second-tallest tower in the city, and is home to the Department of Architecture. Built in 1964, it’s home to one of the last remaining ‘Paternoster’ lifts in the country. What’s a Paternoster, you ask? It’s basically a lift that never stops. It’s a rite of passage for every Sheffield student to take a ride, and no trip to Sheffield would be complete without having a nosey at it. You can pop in during office hours Monday to Friday to take a look.

In the middle, that’s the Alfred Denny Building. Doesn’t look too exciting, does it? Take a closer look at the top row of windows though, and notice how they’re blanked out. This is the home of a morgue! If you choose to donate your body to science, it might come here.

Weston Park

Heading past these buildings, we reach Weston Park. It’s one of the best parks in Sheffield and I have many happy memories of spending spring and summer evenings here with friends. If the weather is nice, it’s a great place to have a picnic during your trip to Sheffield.

Opened in 1875, it was actually the first public park in Sheffield. Previously, it was part of the grounds of Weston Hall, which is today known as Weston Park Museum (more on that below).

weston park, sheffield, looking towards the arts tower

Kelham Island

Finally, we come to Kelham Island. This isn’t in the City Centre itself, so you might want to take a tram to Shalesmoor. It’s just a couple of stops from town, and the trip takes less than 10 minutes. So, what is Kelham Island?

It’s one of the oldest centres of manufacturing in the UK. In fact, it’s been making and producing for over 900 years. Of course, as a city famous for steel-making, it was here that you’d find multiple steel mills who produced everything from cutlery to saw blades.

As industry declined though, it became rather run-down and notoriously rough. The opening of the Kelham Island Museum (more below) paved the way for regeneration and the chance for the area to get a new lease of life.

exterior of kelham island museum, sheffield. image includes a chimney and the river don

As well as the museum, it’s home to multiple breweries, pubs and eateries. Don’t forget to visit the monthly Peddler Market if you get the chance, too.

As for the pubs, my favourite has to be the Fat Cat. It serves a great variety of local beers (including Kelham Island Brewery’s very own Pale Rider) and always has a good chilled atmosphere. There are a few different rooms to choose from, as well as a pleasant beer garden.

interior of the fat cat pub, kelham island

Most importantly, Kelham Island is about evolution rather than pulling everything down and starting again. It still keeps that slightly grimy industrial vibe while being a modern and welcoming place to visit.

Fun (and free!) Museums

Sheffield is full of history. Plus, it’s a city known for taking a stand on social issues. Sheffield was the first place to pass a resolution calling for women’s suffrage, and it was at the forefront of the Miner’s strikes. During so many major events in history, you’ll see that Sheffield has stood up and had its voice heard.

Let’s take a look at three museums you should visit on your trip to Sheffield. They’re all completely free, too.

The Millennium Gallery

The Millennium Gallery joins onto the Winter Gardens, so it’s an easy place to pop into. It’s a fairly small art gallery, and it’s themed around a number of regional and national artworks. The most impressive is definitely the Sykes Metalwork collection:

selection of old cutlery in sheffield's millennium gallery

Sheffield is famous for producing some of the finest cutlery in the world, and you can see a wide variety of it throughout the ages here.

The gallery is open from 10 til 5 Tuesday to Saturday and 11 til 4 on Sundays. You can find more information on the Sheffield Museums website.

Weston Park Museum

Set at the back of Weston Park, you’ll find the Weston Park Museum. It’s all about Sheffield and its people. and it brings everything from the past and present to life.

You’ll find the stories of its shops, neighbourhoods and even how they’d get around by public transport:

display in weston park museum, including a bus cab, bus stop and model of a tram

As I mentioned earlier, protest is a big part of Sheffield. Folk in this city aren’t the sort to just stand by and watch something happen if they don’t like it. So naturally, it’s a big part of this museum, too:

selection of artefacts from miners protests in sheffield

I even managed to spot two crisp packets from the 60s, donated from someone I’d previously interviewed in my student journalist days. She was a prolific litter picker (it’s quite the community activity in Sheffield, which is great to see) and had managed to dig them up after they’d survived in the bushes of the Gleadless Valley for decades.

The one thing that had appeared since my last visit was the ‘Pandemic Stories’ exhibition:

weston park museum - display showing a number of stories from the covid pandemic

They’re all from everyday folk. The doctors, nurses, shop workers, students and the like. People that lived and worked in Sheffield that had their lives turned upside down.

It felt a little personal seeing as my pandemic story started in Sheffield, too. Just hours before the first lockdown was announced, I unceremoniously packed everything I could into a suitcase and abandoned my flat, bound for Newcastle, as I knew something was about to happen. And that’s how my experience at university ended!

It’s a truly fascinating museum and one that makes Sheffield as a wider city come to life. The Sheffield Museums website will tell you more about what’s on. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 til 5, and Sundays 11 til 4.

Kelham Island Museum

Interested in the industrial history of Sheffield or just generally in big moving machinery? Then Kelham Island Museum is a must-see on your trip to Sheffield. I talked above a little about how Kelham was one of the industrial heartlands of Sheffield, and this museum is there to bring it to life.

I’m ashamed to say I’d never visited before (despite at one point living five minutes walk away) so I was curious to see what was on offer.

The first section of the museum focuses on building and making. There’s quite a lot of moving (and working!) machinery in here, as well as this pair of cannons, originally designed to prevent a foreign invasion of Sheffield:

two cannons in sheffield kelham island museum

The Transport Gallery has a selection of different vehicles from across the ages, many of which were Sheffield-built:

selection of old vehicles in kelham island museum - includes a milkfloat and car

And there’s a reconstruction of a Sheffield street (and WW1-era house), designed to tell the story of early 20th Century life in the city:

reconstruction of a 1916 street in sheffield kelham island museum

Steelmaking and cutlery plays a big part, too. You’ll find another extensive collection of metalwork with no stone left unturned.

The Kelham Island Museum is really fascinating and shows that Sheffield has much to be proud of as a city. Plus, it’s free. It’s open from 10 til 4 Tuesday to Saturday and 11 til 5 on Sundays, with more information (as ever!) on the Sheffield Museums website.

Fancy something to eat or drink?

Sheffield is a thriving city when it comes to independent cafes, bars and restaurants. It’d be impossible to suggest everything, but here are a couple of my suggestions if you’re feeling peckish on your trip to Sheffield:

  • Lucky Fox (Division Street) does some amazing fried chicken. It’s juicy, delicious and packed with flavour. It’s a popular little spot though, so you might need to take your food with you!
  • Mount Lebanon (West Street) is the perfect place for authentic Lebanese food. The service is super friendly, too
  • Marmadukes (Norfolk Row) does some tasty-looking breakfast, brunch and lunch. It was a real favourite among my friends at university
  • Bungalows & Bears (Division Street) is a great late-night spot if you fancy a drink. There’s some great music, a friendly atmosphere and the front of the bar opens up into the street on those warm summer nights.

On my trip to Sheffield, I paid a visit to Howst. You’ll find it at the top of Howard Street (the hill that goes from the station to the City Centre) and it serves brunch, lunch and even a selection of cocktails.

The atmosphere is friendly and cosy and the food is delicious. I went for the ‘Shroom’ which is poached eggs, mushrooms and Bloody Mary sauce on toast:

dish served at howst cafe - shows poached eggs on toast, covered in a tomato sauce

The busiest time seems to be around 12 to 1pm, so it’s worth getting there earlier or popping in for a later lunch.

Is there anything else I should see on a trip to Sheffield?

While I didn’t go there on this trip, the Botanical Gardens are another wonderful green space to visit during a trip to Sheffield. This part of the city is full of amazing walks and green spaces, and it was a favourite area of mine to wander around on warm summer evenings. The opening hours depend on the time of year, though you’ll find that they’re open until at least sunset on most days.

sheffield botanical gardens in summer

Just a little further away is Endcliffe Park. It’s a massive green space which is a firm favourite in warmer weather. From here, it’s possible to walk right into the Peak District, too.

The National Videogame Museum is also unmissable if you have even a passing interest in computer games, both modern and retro. It isn’t free, but it’s really hands-on. You can learn about the history of video games, but of course the fun part is playing them.

It’s £11 for adults and £9 for children, and booking ahead is highly recommended. You can do this on their website here.

Finally, I can’t write about Sheffield without mentioning Tabby Teas. It’s an adorable little cat café that I’ve had many happy visits to. The staff are really enthusiastic and the cats…well, they’re cats. There’s plenty of chances to feed them treats and enjoy their company:

tabby teas cat cafe in sheffield

It’s a little bit out of the City Centre (in Highfield) but the 218 bus will take you there from Sheffield Interchange, or it’s a 20 minute walk from the station. Booking ahead is advised, which you can do on their website here.

Heading further afield

Of course, the potential doesn’t end there. After all, Sheffield is on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park. Here are a couple more public transport-friendly things to do if you’re having a longer trip to Sheffield:

  • Bus 218 will take you to Bakewell and Chatsworth House
  • Take the 272 if you want to visit Castleton and the Peak Cavern
  • Northern run hourly stopping trains to Edale, which is the ideal place to start a Peak District hike.

However you choose to spend your trip to Sheffield, SmartSplit can handle the rail tickets. We don’t charge any booking fees, and we don’t charge you if you change your mind about when you’d like to visit. Amendments and refunds are fee-free.

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Top five pubs while you wait (Yorkshire & East Midlands) https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/station-pubs/top-five-station-pubs-yorkshire-east-midlands/ https://SmartSplit.co.uk/destinations/station-pubs/top-five-station-pubs-yorkshire-east-midlands/#respond Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:57:33 +0000 https://SmartSplit.co.uk/?p=1991 If you’ve got some time to kill before your train, nothing beats popping to the pub to watch the world go by. They’re a meeting place for locals, and a rest stop for travellers from all walks of life. Here’s our favourite pubs in Yorkshire and the East Midlands to visit when we’re waiting for… Continue reading Top five pubs while you wait (Yorkshire & East Midlands)

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If you’ve got some time to kill before your train, nothing beats popping to the pub to watch the world go by. They’re a meeting place for locals, and a rest stop for travellers from all walks of life. Here’s our favourite pubs in Yorkshire and the East Midlands to visit when we’re waiting for a train.

BeerHeadZ (Nottingham)

If you pop out of Nottingham Station and follow the signs for ‘Micropub’, sure enough, you’ll find one! BeerHeadZ is situated on Queen’s Road and is a cosy little bar, with a nice selection of beers on cask and tap.

During the day, it can be a nice calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Nottingham. There’s plenty of sockets available too, so you can get some work done while you enjoy a drink. The friendly staff behind the bar are knowledgeable and happy to give their own recommendations on which beers to try.

As you can see, there’s no pretentious decor or clutter. It’s just about coming together to enjoy some great beers.

While it can be a nice calm place to visit during the day, it also hosts themed nights. On the first Thursday of every month, you can enjoy some LPs (younger readers might not remember these!) during “Off The Tracks”, their dedicated vinyl night.

The Whistle Stop Micropub (Grantham)

On the London-bound platform at Grantham Station, you’ll find the Whistle Stop Micropub. Not only a station pub, it feels like a true community meeting place with a selection of beers on tap and cask. While that selection isn’t as diverse as at other pubs, they do have their own namesake beer to try!

With direct access to the platforms, it’s a great place to relax either before a train or between connections. There’s also a selection of snacks and sandwiches to try, if you fancy a bite to eat as well.

There’s plenty of railwayana on display, too. It feels like a true railway pub and you’ll certainly find nowhere exactly like the Whistle Stop.

Sheffield Tap (Sheffield)

The Sheffield Tap is one of the most well-known station pubs in the North of England. That’s for good reason, too! It’s got a fantastic selection of beers and always has a friendly, bustling atmosphere. People will always be coming and going from one place to another, to see family, friends or to embark on solo adventures.

As busy as it is though, it’s full of little rooms and places to find a spot to relax. Whether you’re popping in for a quick one between connections, or have a while to wait, there’ll be somewhere here for you. It’s hard to believe that it lay derelict for over 30 years before being lovingly restored in 2008.

We managed to find a nice quiet spot in the back of the pub on a Thursday afternoon, despite the front being very busy indeed!

You’ll find the Sheffield Tap on Platform 1B, which is near the main entrance of the station.

The Track & Sleeper (Knaresborough)

We’ve already talked about the Track and Sleeper on SmartSplit. It’s one of our favourites, being the perfect blend of craft beer pub and community hub. It’s owned by Gorilla Brewing, which means that if you pick one of their own pints, you’re in for a great deal.

We tried their Vanilla Gorilla Porter when we visited, which was just £3.90 for a pint. That’s an amazing deal for a pint in a pub in any town or city, never mind on a station platform. If you’re not a beer fan, no problem. Anyone for a Pornstar Martini on tap?

The pub hosts a variety of themed nights such as a quiz night, which we’re told is very popular and draws in lots of folk from the local community. No matter when you visit though, you’re sure of a warm welcome and some friendly banter from the staff behind the bar.

Harrogate Tap (Harrogate)

Just like the Sheffield Tap, you know what you’ll be getting with the Harrogate Tap. That is, a great choice of craft beers just a stone’s throw from the station platforms.

Aside from the beers, the main attraction of the Harrogate Tap is the wood-burning fireplace. When we visited on a windy January afternoon, it was the perfect tonic for feeling chilly. The staff regularly come around and topped up the wood, so you were always sure of a warm glow and crackle.

You’ll find the Harrogate Tap next to the main station entrance. Just know that because there’s ticket gates at Harrogate, you’ll need to nip outside and through the gates to access the platforms!

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready to book your next trip and pop to the pub? You can do it without fees at SmartSplit. We don’t charge you for changing your plans, either.

Looking for more about pubs? You can take a look at our favourite pubs in the North East, the cheapest pints, and where to find them. We’ve also taken a trip to find some of the best beer in East London.

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