It would be remiss not to give our recently arrived student population a hearty welcome in this issue. Now that you’ve settled in and are starting to find your way around the city, it’s time to get to know the place a bit better. From its ale-soaked history to its thriving independent scene, this A-Z guide will give you a taste of the culture that makes the Steel City so special.
A is for Ale
And plenty of it! Welcome, dear student, to the ale capital of the UK – if not the world. Yes, it’s all hail the ale around here – just ask the New York Times, who ranked Kelham Island, one of Sheffield’s most beer-centric areas, higher than The Vatican in their ‘52 Places to Go’. Plus, a beer report from last year found that this region boasts more breweries per head than anywhere else in the country. We’ll drink to that!
B is for Bessemer
The chap responsible for Sheffield’s worldwide reputation as a manufacturing city. In 1856 Henry Bessemer invented the Bessemer process – a method of converting iron into steel – which saw steel production soar to an output of 10,000 tonnes a week by the 1880s. You can actually head down to Kelham Island Museum and take in the sight of an old converter stood outside the building, if that’s your idea of fun.
C is for Crucible
The home of world snooker since 1977, the Crucible Theatre brings tens of thousands of visitors to the city each year – many who arrive between April and May to soak up the snooker-loopy atmosphere. It’s also home to the revered Sheffield Theatres group, who in recent years have been the birthplace of award-winning plays such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Standing at the Sky’s Edge.
D is for Division Street
Situated in the heart of the Devonshire quarter, this lively street boasts a mix of small independent shops, bars, pubs and restaurants, making it a popular destination for both locals and students alike.
E is for Electronic Music
The ‘new wave’ era of the 1980s was born up ‘ere, with the likes of synth-toting legends Cabaret Voltaire, Human League, Heaven 17 and ABC all hailing from the Steel City.
F is for Football
As home to Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest association football club; Hallam FC’s Sandygate, the world’s oldest football ground; and Bramall Lane, the world’s oldest professional football stadium, it’s no wonder this city is football mad. The Steel City derby between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday is one of the fiercest rivalries in the game, and with the first clash of the season set for November, you’ll soon find out there’s never much love lost between Blades and Owls supporters.
G is for Green Space
A third of Sheff lies in the Peak District, the only UK city to include a national park within its boundary. Totting it all up, there are over 150 woodlands and 50 parks, making it one of the greenest cities in Europe.
H is for Henderson’s Relish
How passionate can a city be about a relish? The answer is VERY. While you’re here, you might hear it called “Hendo’s”, but this iconic sauce has been made in Sheffield since the 1880s and is a big part of the local culinary scene. It’s even inspired poems, artwork, songs and a few questionable tattoos! Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly, it’s so beloved that even Sean Bean had it shipped worldwide when filming abroad. And you don’t question the Bean.
I is for Independent
Sheffielders are incredibly proud of our thriving indie businesses. Homegrown shops, cafés, restaurants and bars are everywhere – from the city centre to the suburbs. Keep picking up your monthly Exposed mag to stay in the loop with the latest from local businesses.
J is for Joe and Jarv
Sheffield is home to two legendary Cockers: Joe Cocker and Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker. Joe, born in Crookes, worked as a gas fitter before finding fame with hits like ‘Up Where We Belong’, his iconic cover of The Beatles’ ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ and ‘You Are So Beautiful’. Jarvis, who grew up in Intake, led Pulp to the forefront of the UK Britpop scene and ‘Common People’ is guaranteed to go off on any Steel City dancefloor. Though they’re not related, both are local legends, well deserving of their spots on Sheffield’s Walk of Fame.
K is for Kelham Island
Recently named in the top 50 ‘coolest neighbourhoods in the world’ by Time Out Magazine, this manmade island was formerly the heart of the city’s industrial past. Today it’s one of its trendiest areas and houses everything from independent pubs and restaurants to bustling street food markets and iconic music venues.
Photo Credit: Joe Horner
L is for Leadmill
Sheffield’s longest-running music venue is a student hotspot known throughout the UK for its championing of live music. None other than Ringo Starr wrote to the owners in 1992 to thank them for the support offered to young musicians, while Franz Ferdinand described the venue to Arcade Fire as a “rite of passage for UK bands worth their salt”.
M is for McKee
Pete McKee is one of Sheffield’s most beloved artists, known for his distinctive style that captures life in the city with warmth, humour and nostalgia. You’ll see his colourful, cartoon-like characters around the city, with perhaps the most famous being ‘The Snog’ on the side of Fagans pub. Go and get the obligatory pic in front of it when you get the chance.
N is for Nah Then
A versatile local phrase often used as a greeting or to mean “now, listen here.”
O is for Olympians
We’re reyt proud of some of the incredible athletes we’ve produced here. Gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill is a local lass, and IAAF president Seb Coe found his considerable knack for track & field while attending high school here.
P is for Park Hill
Park Hill Flats is one of Sheffield’s most iconic landmarks. Built in the late 1950s as a bold experiment in social housing, this Brutalist structure – the largest Grade II listed building in Europe – has undergone a major transformation. Today, it’s a vibrant mix of accommodation and independent businesses like South Street Kitchen and The Pearl at Park Hill bar. The famous “I Love You Will U Marry Me” graffiti is still visible on the walkway, and even appeared on a t-shirt sported by Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner.
Q is for Quarters
Since 1994, Sheffield city centre has been divided into 11 distinct quarters: Kelham Island, Riverside, Castlegate, Sheaf Valley, Cultural Industries, The Moor, Devonshire, St George’s, St Vincent, Cathedral, and the Heart of the City. Each quarter has its own unique vibe and character, offering plenty to explore – from indie shops and cultural spots to historical landmarks and buzzing nightlife.
R is for Republic
During the 1980s, the left-wing policies of Sheffield Council, led by David Blunkett, were often made in direct opposition to Margaret Thatcher’s (boo, hiss) government, earning the city the title of ‘The People’s Republic of South Yorkshire’. Thatcher’s policies left a lasting impact on the city, with the decline of the steel industry and widespread unemployment still a bitter memory for many. The legacy of that era isn’t forgotten and continues to shape Sheffield’s strong sense of community and resilience.
S is for Sanctuary
Sheffield proudly became the UK’s first official City of Sanctuary in 2007, reflecting its commitment to welcoming refugees and migrants. The city has long benefited from the rich cultural influences brought by its diverse communities, shaping everything from its food scene to its arts and music. This spirit of inclusivity is celebrated each year at the Migration Matters Festival, a vibrant event that honours the stories, creativity and contributions of migrants to the city’s cultural tapestry.
T is for Tramlines
Sheffield’s very own Glasto! Tramlines Festival started here in 2009 with bar owners and venue promoters looking for a way to keep the city centre busy when the students go home. The first festival attracted 35,000 visitors with the likes of Toddla T, Reverend & The Makers, The XX and Example on the bill. Since then the event has gone from strength to strength, moving to Hillsborough Park and fostering a vibrant fringe offering in the city centre.
U is for Urban Regeneration
The city has undergone significant urban regeneration in recent years, transforming once-industrial areas into vibrant, modern spaces. From the redevelopment of Kelham Island and Neepsend to the ambitious Heart of the City project that has recently brought venues like Cambridge Street Collective and Leah’s Yard to Sheffield, these efforts are doing an impressive job of reshaping the city while preserving its heritage.
V is for Varsity
Beginning back in 1997, the Sheffield Varsity tournament Hallam University and University of Sheffield is one of the biggest of its kind in the country. With 1,500 students playing 35 sports in 20 different locations, it’s bloody huge and there’s plenty of pride at stake for both sides.
W is for Warp (Records & Films)
Warp Records was founded here in 1989 by Steve Beckett and Rob Mitchell, going on to become one of the most influential labels in electronic music with a roster boasting the likes of Aphex Twin, Hudson Mowhawke and LFO. Warp Films began as a side-project, but after Beckett teamed up with film producer Steve Herbert in 2001 the company grew, going on to produce the likes of Dead Man’s Shoes, This Is England and Four Lions among many other highly-rated British films.
X is for (e)Xposed
Fair enough, we’re bending the rules a bit, but X is for Exposed – your essential guide to all things Sheffield! Whether it’s the latest on local indie businesses, gig listings or cultural events, we’re here to keep you in the know. We celebrate the city’s creativity, spirit and community every month, making sure you don’t miss a thing.
Y is for Yellow Arch Studios
Today the UK’s first fully-licensed recording studios, this buzzy venue in Neepsend has provided rehearsal space and a live stage to some of the city’s finest musical exports, with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Tony Christie, Richard Hawley and Bring Me The Horizon all treading the boards there.
Z is for Zambian Sister City
Sheffield has a friendship agreement with Kitwe, the second largest city in Zambia, known for its mining heritage.
