Ten reasons to be proud of Sheffield which boasts something for everyone - from music legends to acting greats
By Jon Cooper
Published 18th Feb 2023, 04:45 BST
Sheffield residents have much to be happy about living in the Steel City but here are 10 standout reasons that we feel fill our hearts with pride.
The city’s international reputation was forged on its steel industry but despite such a proud industrial heritage it has also became one of the greenest cities in the country as was acknowledged by poet John Betjeman.
And as the stage is set with fantastic theatres including The Lyceum and The Crucible, the city has always given rise to great actors including Sean Bean and Michael Palin, as well as musical performers including the Human League, Joe Cocker, and the Arctic Monkey and many more.
It also boasts the world’s first football team with Sheffield Football Club and with such a heritage that no doubt inspired the popular professional city clubs, EFL Championship side Sheffield United, and EFL League One team Sheffield Wednesday who both attract tens of thousands of supporters.
Whatever reasons spring to mind one thing everyone will agree is that you’ll find no warmer welcome than in a city that has one of the highest retention rates for outside visitors who end up happily setting home in and around our famous seven hills.
It also boasts the world’s first football team with Sheffield Football Club and with such a heritage that no doubt inspired the popular professional city clubs, EFL Championship side Sheffield United, and EFL League One team Sheffield Wednesday who both attract tens of thousands of supporters.
5. Sheffield's proud steel industry continues as a forging hammer at Special Quality Alloys pounds away
Sheffield's steel industry has produced everything from cutlery to industrial knife blades for over a century for the world and the city continues to remain at the heart of the UK's steel industry. Special Quality Alloys, based in the Continental Steel Works on Bessemer Road, in Attercliffe, and which is part of Special Steel Group founded in Sheffield in 1925, has continued to remain in profit. Photo: Submitted
6. Sheffield's Crucible and theatre scene keeps the Steel City as one of the most best places to visit for the dramatic arts
Sheffield's Crucible and Lyceum theatres ensure the Steel City is one of the best places to visit for the dramatic arts. The Crucible opened in 1971 and even though it hosts regular theatrical performances it is best known for hosting the World Snooker Championship. The nearby Lyceum, on Norfolk Street, was built in 1897 and is a beautiful historical, old-fashioned-style venue for theatre lovers. Photo: Submitted
Sheffield can proudly lay claim to a host of famous people, not least pictured left to right, movie star Sean Bean, astronaut and chemist Helen Sharman, and beloved actor and TV presenter Michael Palin. Photo: Submitted
The University of Sheffield, on Western Bank, Sheffield, dates back to 1828 and boasts faculties in Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Science, Social Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry and Health. But it is not the only well-respected seat of education in the city because Sheffield Hallam University also has a wonderful reputation with a campus near the city centre's railway station and another at Broomhall. Photo: Submitted