It was recently named by Time Out as one of the best city break destinations in Europe alongside the likes of Marseille, Milan and Oslo. With its beautiful green spaces, fascinating museums, great theatres and music venues, plus a plethora of top cafes, pubs, restaurants and independent shops, it’s easy to see why Sheffield's tourism industry is thriving.
But with so many sites and attractions to choose from, where do you start if you only have 24 hours or a weekend to spend in Sheffield? We asked Sheffield tour guide Marcus Newton, who has been showing visitors around the city for more than a decade, to name some of his favourite places to visit and here’s what he recommended.
For more about Sheffield City Walking Tours, run by Marcus, visit: http://www.sheffieldtours.com/.
9. Kelham Island Museum
One thing most visitors to Sheffield do know about the city, says Marcus, is its industrial heritage and in particular its proud steel-making reputation. A great place to learn more is Kelham Island Museum, where two of the most awe-inspiring exhibits are the Joseph Rodgers Year Knife, pictured, with its astonishing 2,000 blades, and the River Don Engine, which is the most powerful working steam engine in Europe and can be seen thundering into life each day by visitors. Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Weston Park Museum are also well worth a visit and entry to all three museums is free. Photo: James Hardisty
10. National Videogame Museum
If it's more modern history you're interested in, says Marcus, why not check out Sheffield's National Videogame Museum? Visitors can play more than 100 videogames, learn about their history and even have a go at creating their own. Marcus also recommends the National Emergency Services Museum, which is located in an old fire, police and ambulance station and has lots of interactive exhibits. It was last year crowned as the overall winner of the national Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award. Photo: Scott Merrylees