How to shake it up in Sheffield

By Staff Reporter | Published On February 19, 2009 | In Studenthood

By Sophie Schuenemann, The Linc | Photos by Scott Dean

Home to Arctic Monkeys, Jarvis Cocker, two famous football teams and two universities, Sheffield has dug its way out of a steely-grey image into a young and vibrant city with a cultural and social scene well worth a weekend getaway.

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How to Get There…

While the drive to Sheffield takes a little over an hour, the most convenient way to travel is by train. Book in advance on www.trainline.com, which is usually cheaper than buying tickets at the station. With a 16-25 railcard, an open return ticket booked online costs £11.10. Be sure to plan your return trip carefully, as there’s only one train from Sheffield to Lincoln on Sundays.

Where to Stay…

The Harley Hotel & Bar on Glossop Road is the perfect place for students to stay, just a five-minute walk to the city centre. Boasting a rustic and cosy atmosphere, the hotel also houses a reasonably priced restaurant as well as a bar that caters to the Sheffield music scene by hosting local gigs throughout the week.

Where to Party…

Start your night out on West Street, a strip comprised mainly of bars and restaurants. Sheffield student Sarah Beeden, 22, recommends ’90s bar Babylon, as well as The Plug on Matilda Street which serves as one of the city’s main live music venues. Fellow student Chris Waters, 19, recommends FLIRT night on Fridays and Sheff 1 on Saturdays, which are hosted by the Sheffield Hallam Union on Paternoster Road.

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Where to Shop…

Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre boasts over 280 stores as well as an 11-screen cinema complex and bowling centre. It’s located three miles outside town, but it can easily be reached by purchasing a tram ticket that costs £3 for the day.

Where to Eat…

At Meadowhall, you’ll find a huge food court featuring the usual fast-food suspects as well as restaurants such as Ma Potters and Mamma Amalfi. If you fancy takeaway, go to London Road which is famous for international cuisine including Chinese, Thai and Indian.

Where to Sightsee…

Get a free dose of culture by seeking out poetry on display throughout the city. As you exit the train station keep your eyes peeled for Andrew Motion’s poem, What If? …, that is written on the side of a multi-storey building. A Jarvis Cocker poem can be found on the wall of student accommodation near London Road, while a poem by Roger McGough can be found in Sheffield Winter Gardens. This large, free greenhouse that showcases more than 2,500 plants from around the world is located next door to the Peace Gardens, a small downtown oasis with lawns and fountains providing the ideal place to chill out when the weather’s on your side. Around the corner, the Millennium Galleries of visual arts, craft and design blends traditional with modern in both permanent and short-term exhibitions. Drama lovers can check out The Crucible Theatre and the Lyceum Theatre, while music fans looking for a large venue can take in concerts at Sheffield Arena.

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