5 Great Days Out in Sheffield for Students

New to the Steel City or just tired of the same old student routine? Whether you’re craving culture, fresh air, or something totally unexpected, Sheffield is a city with so much to offer its students. A place packed with hidden gems, local legends and great spots to hang out after lectures – there’s far more to the northern powerhouse than just textbooks and takeaways.

Today we’ll be taking you through our picks for 5 great days out in Sheffield that the students of the region can sink their teeth into.

1. Get Creative in Kelham Island

Once the beating heart of Sheffield’s industrial area, Kelham Island has since been transformed into one of the city’s coolest neighbourhood’s. Streets filled with quirky eateries, foodie markets, and riverside breweries make for quite the atmosphere for the student population.

The Kelham Island museum is a must-visit for those interested in Sheffield’s steel-making roots. And the coffee from Gaard is fast becoming of equally legendary status. The eclectic mix of creativity and rugged history makes the area a truly unique part of its culture, and as a student provides endless things to do.

Budget tip: Entry to The Kelham Island museum is free with student ID

2. Escape to the Peaks

If you’re in need of a break from the lecture theatres and laptop screens, the Peak District National Park is just a stones throw away from Sheffield. A short hop on the bus or train can take you into one of the UK’s most scenic regions, home to stunning views and amazing wildlife.

Towns such as Bakewell and Buxton, while in Derbyshire are easy to reach and are well worth exploring if you have more than just one day on your hands. If you like cosy cottages and homemade dinners, the peaks have got you covered.

Helpful tip: While it’s great to leave the screens behind, don’t forget to charge your phone if you plan on hiking over some of this famous terrain.

3. Dive Into Division Street

Division Street has become something of an unofficial hangout zone for the students of Sheffield. It’s a buzzing part of the city that’s brimming with vintage shops, warming books nooks, and Instagram-worthy cafés.

Our ideal itinerary for a day on Division Street starts with brunch at Tamper (the eggs are undeniably brilliant), followed by a wander around Preloved Kilo or Bear Tree Records, then we round it off with an oat milk flat white from Steam Yard.

The street is also a great spot for chilling out while catching a local street artist do their thing – and the vibrant nature of Division Street means you just never know who you might bump into.

Bonus tip: Most of the shops offer student discounts, so don’t forget you card.

4. Explore the Botanical Gardens

There’s few places in Sheffield that are better for a moment of quiet reflection than the Botanical Gardens. Offering 19 acres of calming, colourful plants – as well as a Victorian Glasshouse, the gardens are the ideal spot to take out a book or enjoy a picnic.

Regular visitors to the gardens cite them as a brilliant way to reduce stress and reduce the screen fatigue that university life can bring. Free entry only adds to the fact that this is one of the best days out in Sheffield for anyone in search of some mindfulness.

Bonus tip: The Glasshouse can be incredibly warm during the summer, so make sure to bring some water with you if you plan to explore.

5. Power Up at the National Videogame Museum

Yes, this is a real place. And it really is as fun as it sounds. Located in the city centre – the National Videogame Museum takes interactivity to new levels (see what we did there?)

Included inside is everything from retro arcade machines to the latest consoles and devices, and the best part is that everything is playable. Have you got what it takes to beat your mates at some of the best videogames from down the years?

Bonus tip: This is yet another student discount spot, so it’s budget-friendly too.

There’s so much more to Sheffield than just your average day at university. From beautiful gardens to vintage arcades there are few cities that can match Sheffield’s industrial charm.

Enjoying some of these great days out in and around the city, you’ll never be at a loss for something to keep you busy.

Check out our other blog posts for more interesting things to see and do in Sheffield.