Whether you have a few hours or a whole day to spend, then our Yorkshire neighbour may fit the bill. The city of Sheffield, a cultural hub, is but 40 minutes away by train, and is friendly to the student purse strings. To make the most of your time, and to make your money go further, follow this guide.
Travel Costs: Fear Not.
To get the cheapest train tickets, book a couple of weeks in advance, and you can get a return ticket for a mere £5. If you aren’t that organised, you can get there and back on the day for £8.95 (prices with a 16-25 railcard).
The buses of Sheffield let you go further for your pound – not just the ten minutes between Headingley and University Steps. Hop on any bus and ask for a Student Single, flash your student ID card, and you’ll be able to go anywhere for just £1.
Food: Fill Up for Next to Nothing
There are plenty of places to eat in Sheffield, from restaurant chains, quirky cafes and homely pubs. If you venture slightly out of the city and into Broomhill, a buzzing student area, you’ll find the Nottingham House pub (known as Notty House by the local student population), where pies a plenty are on the menu. For just £6.50, you can feast on a deep filled pie, accompanied by chips or mash and mushy peas. Go in winter time and get a whole Christmas dinner inside your pie….
If you want to stay more central, or want a posh piece of cake in well-decorated surrounds, try Marmadukes; a cute café near the city’s theatres. If you want to take your life into your own hands, but save a pound or two, try the Interval Café, attached to the side of the Sheffield’s university union; the Sheffield students bite, probably….
Culture
Weather permitting, there are many parks and gardens in Sheffield that are worth of exploration. The Botanical Gardens, also close to the Broomhill area, are Grade II listed by English Heritage, offering fifteen themed areas and boasting over 5000 plant varieties. Museum wise, why not visit the Millennium Gallery? Home to arts and craft, and a whole lot on the history of the metalwork that Sheffield is famous for, there’s a lot to be learnt. Sheffield’s Winter Garden is a must see, especially if the Yorkshire weather is doing what it does best, and it is raining. This grand glasshouse is in fact the largest in Europe, and is home to over 2000 varieties of plant, and offers a mini oasis right in the middle of the city.
To round off your day, why not go to a show? Sheffield’s theatre prices are not like those of the London West End, and in fact often cost less than a cinema ticket. For students, Sheffield theatres run a ‘Live for Five’ promotion, whereby you can get tickets to many shows for £5. If you want to spend a little more, many a west-end production come to Sheffield on tour, including One Man Two Guvnors and West Side Story. If you need to grab a bite before coming back to Leeds, your theatre ticket will also get you 10% off food at the Crucible Corner café.
As Sheffield is so close, you can really fill your day with things to do, being there and back in a heartbeat.
Katie Dawtry