It’s also known for its excellent arts scene, with the Crucible and Lyceum theatres producing many acclaimed plays, and for bands from Def Leppard to The Human League and Arctic Monkeys which have put the city on the music map.
But for all its top attractions, like the stunning Sheffield Botanical Gardens, and Cambridge Street Social food hall, with its mouthwatering array of global kitchens, there are many amazing places to visit which fly under the radar.
All of these attractions deserve a wider audience, yet most are relatively unknown beyond South Yorkshire and some remain sadly unheard of even by many people living and working within Sheffield.
If you’re visiting Sheffield or have guests coming and want to show them something a bit different, or off the beaten track, here are some of the city’s hidden gems to check out.
9. Ride miniature railway hidden within woods
Hidden in Ecclesall Woods, off Abbeydale Road, is this charming throwback to railway travel from days gone by. Abbeydale Miniature Railway is a great family day out, with the pint-sized steam and diesel engines chugging their way past the pretty surroundings on regular open days at weekends during the summer and autumn. Rides cost just £1.50 and there's a large picnic area, and a cafe serving light refreshments. Run by the Sheffield & District Society of Model & Experimental Engineers, it also hosts the popular Christmas lights and train rides event in December, which raises money for St Luke's Hospice. It's close to Dore & Totley railway station, meaning you can travel there by regular-sized train, but there's a car park too. | National World Photo: DEAN ATKINS
10. Award-winning cocktail bar in former gents' toilets
The old gents' toilets beneath Sheffield Town Hall were given a new lease of life in 2017, when this stylish cocktail bar opened there. The bijou venue has earned a reputation as one of Britain's best cocktail bars, with acclaim too for the delicious selection of small plates it serves. | Public Photo: Public
11. City's oldest and smallest theatre
Sheffield has some fantastic theatres, including the award-winning Lyceum and Crucible. But the oldest of them all - and the smallest, with only 84 seats, is the unique Lantern Theatre in Nether Edge. It was once an industrialist's own personal venue but is now used for shows by the Dilys Guite Players and hired out for performances. | National World Photo: Chris Lawton
12. Historic hunting lodge which housed famous prisoner
Manor Lodge is where Mary, Queen of Scots was held captive in Sheffield before eventually being beheaded, yet it remains relatively little known. Today, just the turret house survives intact, though the ruins give you an idea of the impressive scale of the once grand Tudor country estate. It hosts a number of family friendly events, including historical re-enactments, throughout the year, there's a sandpit for children and the grounds are beautifully maintained, with wildflowers flourishing amid the ruins. It's also just up the hill from another of Sheffield's hidden gems, the delightful Rhubarb Shed Cafe. | Manor Lodge Photo: Manor Lodge