Sheffield Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK)

Sheffield is extremely proud of its many tourist attractions and the city continues to heavily invest in its tourism infrastructure. Families visiting the city are well catered for at the centrally located Heeley City Farm, with the additional animal-related attractions at the nearby Graves Park and Rare Breeds Centre drawing visitors all through the year.

Tourists visiting Sheffield and looking for something in the way of spectator sports will find plenty of venues available. These include the Sheffield United FC on Bramall Lane, the Sheffield Wednesday FC Hillsborough Stadium on Parkside Road, the Star Tigers Speedway at the Owlerton Stadium on Penistone Road, and the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre along Sheaf Street. Another attraction popular with tourists is the 'iceSheffield' venue on Coleridge Road, which is home to two separate Olympic-size ice skating rinks and excellent facilities.

Don Valley International Stadium

Address: Worksop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 3TL, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)114 223 3600
An outstanding sporting venue of epic proportions, the Don Valley Stadium hosts many important athletics events throughout the year. Offering exceptional track and field facilities, practice and training areas, and a well-equipped gymnasium, the stadium was constructed in 1990 at a cost of almost £30 million and can hold around 50,000 spectators.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 07:00 to 21:00; Friday - 07:00 to 20:30; Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge for events and use of facilities

Ski Village / Adventure Mountain

Address: Vale Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 9SJ, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)114 276 9459
Famous for its virtual snow, the Sheffield Ski Village is the biggest all-season ski attraction of its kind in the whole of Europe. Skiing, snow boarding and even snow blading are all possible here, while qualified instructors are on hand if you are struggling on the nursery slopes. The complex is also home to the extremely popular Adventure Mountain, a wooden outdoor activity centre for children, featuring towers, walkways, slides and plenty to keep them amused for hours.
Open hours:
Ski Village: April to September, Wednesday to Friday, 14:00 to 22:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 19:00, school holidays - 10:00 to 22:00; October to March, Monday to Friday - 14:00 to 22:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 19:00, school holidays - 10:00 to 22:00
Adventure Mountain: April to September, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00, school holidays - 10:00 to 18:00; October to March, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00, school holidays - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and families

Walking Trails and Pathways

Walking and hiking is an excellent way to explore the Sheffield area and many of the city's parklands have become an integral part of the main walking trails. Trail leaflets are available from various locations around the city, including the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and the cathedral. Walks vary greatly in both difficulty and length, with the following being especially popular:

• Five Weirs Walk - an excellent urban route, including the Meadowhall area, much of the canal, Bacon Lane, Stoke Street and the Wicker. This is a relatively easy trail offering both industrial and semi-rural views, and partial sections or the entire trail can be walked
• Norfolk Heritage Trail - starting at the Manor Lodge and passing through this magnificent estate, finally ending in the very city centre
• Rivelin Valley Natural Trail - this scenic riverside course takes in much of the picturesque valley and begins at the Rivelin Valley Nature Trail Car Park, off the A6101, with many wildlife habitats along the route
• Round Walk - lasting around 23 km / 14 miles in total, this popular trail starts at the city's Endcliffe Park and leads to the Forge Dam. It is also possible to walk from the Norfolk Arms public house, close to the village of Ringinglow, and on into Whirlow Park
• Sheffield and Tinsley Canal Trail - starting at the Victoria Quays and passing a number of the city's former steelworks along the way, next to the Tinsley canal, before heading to the Meadowhall Shopping Centre

Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Graves Park and Rare Breeds Centre

Address: 25 Matthews Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 8FL, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)114 274 7028
Particularly popular with children and families, the Graves Park and Rare Breeds Centre covers a large expanse of approximately 200 acres / 80 hectares between both the Norton and Woodseats regions of Sheffield, to the south of the city centre. You will be able to get up close to many domestic animals and rare-breed farmyard creatures, with favourites including chickens, horses, sheep, pigs, cattle, rabbits and numerous exotic wildfowl. Other attractions here include lakes, a playground area for children and nature trails through the woodlands.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

A & G Passenger Boats / Cruises

Address: Arch 16, Victoria Quays, Wharf Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S2 5SY, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)114 278 6314
A great way to explore the waterways around the city, the A & G Passenger Boats offer a number of regular cruises along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal. Based in the city centre's Victoria Quays and close to a number of car parks, the cruises range from one hour to a complete day, serving refreshments if required. Boat hire is also available here for a reasonable price.
Open hours: seasonal variations
Admission: charge