City of Sheffield walk

8.0 km (5.0 mi), with 144/146m cumulative ascent/descent. For a shorter or longer walk, see below Walk Options.

2 out of 10, with 1 ¾ hours walking time.

This route leads through the centre of Sheffield – the self-proclaimed ‘Steel City’. It is the largest city in South Yorkshire, known both for its history at the heart of a steel and cutlery-based industrialisation and for being one of the greenest cities in the country, right on the fringes of – and partly in – the Peak District.
From the train station, you explore the civic centre with its historic buildings, two cathedrals and several new developments, part of the ongoing reinvention of this former industrial heavyweight.
Following, a short loop leads through the Cultural Industries Quarter, where former industrial buildings have been requisitioned for galleries, studios, colleges, apartments or student accommodation.
Through the railway station, you walk up Park Hill, one of the seven hills of Sheffield, to some splendid viewpoints overlooking Sheaf Valley and City Centre, before a short diversion through the controversial Park Hill Flats, towering over the city centre.
Pass a canal terminus and then the meeting of the Sheaf and Don rivers – the two most significant of the five rivers of Sheffield – and finish with a short exploration of the quickly gentrifying Kelham Island Quarter, formerly dominated by heavy industry, now filling up with new housing and atmospheric pubs and eateries.

Bus and Tram stops are never far from the route to enable shorter walks.
A couple of Short Extensions in the Cultural Industries Quarter lead to or past several more galleries and artists’ studios, they are shown on the route map but not described in the directions.
An Extension from Clay Wood and the Cholera Monument up to and through the Norfolk Heritage Park and higher still to the Manor Fields Park leads to more elevated viewpoints. Return to the City Centre from the Spring Lane tram stop by Manor Fields Park, either with or without a loop through that park.

Sheffield (Midland) station, map reference SK 359 870, is 227 km north north west of Charing Cross and 54m above sea level. Shalesmoor Tram Stop, map reference SK 348 881, is 1.5 km north west of Midland Station and 52m above sea level. Both are in South Yorkshire.

Sheffield (Midland) Station is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 121 mins Mondays-Saturdays, longer on Sundays). Shalesmoor Tram Stop is served by the Blue and Yellow Lines. Both lines travel through the City Centre as far as the Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge stop. The Blue Line (direction Halfway) continues to also stop at the train station. Single tickets (£1.90 fare in 02/22) can be purchased onboard, in cash or by card.

Numerous options are passed on or just off the route. They are highlighted in the text.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

May-22 Thomas G