The 9 places new and visiting students must see in Sheffield

The Steel City provides students with many an opportunity to get Instagram-happy

(Alamy)

University provides a great opportunity to explore a new city and many opt for getting away from their hometown and finding something different. Sheffield is a densely student populated city and home to two universities. So, if you’re studying there or planning to, or even just visiting a friend, there are nine places every student should visit in the Steel City.

1) The Harley (Glossop Road)

Combining mouth-watering burgers with late night grooves, The Harley is a relatively small but popular venue, hosting some of the North’s best club nights for over ten years. Music played here includes jungle, swing, house jive, indie, garage, funk, soul, hip-hop, Motown, disco, and everything in between. It’s also home to the Twisted Burger Co. so you can chow down on some of Sheffield’s most creative burgers - and they’re even served until 4am Monday to Saturday. Proceed with caution when faced with the hellfire fries.

2) Park Hill flats

Located opposite the train station, Park Hill is an old council estate that breathes Sheffield’s past. It’s the set used in the ‘This is England’ series and has also been used in an Arctic Monkeys video too. Once described as “the streets in the sky”, the place is perfect for an edgy Instagram upload. It is currently in the process of being renovated so some parts are closed off but definitely still worth a visit.

3) Winter Garden

Sheffield’s Winter Garden is the largest urban glass house in Europe and contains over 2,000 species of plant. The cafes inside are the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and marvel at the enormous trees and swooping vines, or even a peaceful environment to get on with some coursework, conveniently located close to Sheffield Hallam University.

4) Kelham Island

You haven’t been to the Steel City if you haven’t visited Kelham Island. Once the heart of Sheffield’s industrial revolution, the 900-year-old man-made island is now a workplace for many independent craftsmen, and also has a museum archiving what it was like to work in mass production throughout the Victorian era. Kelham Island is also the annual host of the Steel City Real Beer and Cider Festival, which included food stalls and over 200 real ales on offer in 2015. If you like beer, then you will not regret attending in 2016.

5) Devonshire Street

Located between the University of Sheffield buildings and the town hall, Devonshire Street houses a number of bars, independent shops - such as Rare and Racy, the beloved book and record store - and unique clothes shops, guaranteed to stock garments you won't find anywhere else. Carry on down to Division Street to find coffee shops and restaurants, ideal for a nice spot of lunch.

6) The Peaks

Sheffield is only a short bus ride away from the great outdoors and it could be the perfect stress-relieving escape for any student. The Peak District offers stunning scenery and pubs guaranteed to give you a warm welcome. One third of Sheffield lies in the Peak District boundary so don’t miss out on a wonderful day out a mere stone's throw away.

7) The Crucible

With a great variety of plays on show all year round, the Crucible Theatre is a great date idea and there are restaurants and cafes nearby. The main stage extends into the auditorium and allows the audience to enjoy the action on all three sides. The World Snooker Championships are also held here. This year, they are between Saturday 16 April and 2 May.

8) The Leadmill (Leadmill Road)

The Leadmill is Sheffield’s longest-running live music venue and nightclub. It opened in 1980 and has won national awards including from the NME and Live UK. If you’re looking for a guaranteed good night out, The Leadmill is second to none. Its great atmosphere makes it an essential gig venue for the biggest and upcoming indie alternative bands.

9) Weston Park

Sheffield is known for its green spaces and woodland and has 80 public parks. One of the nicest is Weston Park, which is five hectares big and also has a museum on site. In the heart of the University of Sheffield campus, a stroll through the park is a popular choice for students on their way to lectures. When the sun's out, picnics and ice-creams are a must.