New to Sheffield? Here Are its Best Parks and Spaces to Explore

Sheffield’s got a rep like no other; as famous for its green spaces as it is for its industry. Metals are a huge part of its history and legacy (after all, it’s here that stainless steel was invented), but these days, its green spaces are the stuff other cities dream about.

It has more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens, including the Peak District National Park, which means that over 60% of the city is covered in lush green spaces. To put that into perspective, there are more trees than people. And with that in mind, it’s easy to see why so many people call it the Outdoor City.

That makes it a total win for city renters - so if you’re planning on moving into any of our Sheffield homes at Ollo Living (or if you’re already a tenant), you better believe we’ve got some cracking recommendations to help you live your best life. First up…

Norfolk Heritage Park

Ask any group of native Sheffielders about their favourite park in the city, and there’s a good chance that at least one of them will name drop Norfolk Heritage Park. It’s one of the oldest parks in the country, dating back to Victorian England, which gives it a nice traditional country estate kind of vibe - so if that’s your thing, look no further. Plus, it’s not far from the train station, so it’s well easy to find.

Since Sheffield is the UK’s indisputable Outdoor City, it’s probably no surprise to learn that it’s also the UK’s ‘climbing capital’, with seven hills dotted around the city. Norfolk Heritage Park is home to one of them, which means it offers some truly stunning views of the skyline. Or you can take a gander at Jervis Lum, a local nature site in the south. And after a hard day’s trek, you can unwind at the local cafe, which - we have it on good authority - does a top Sunday roast.

Graves Park

Graves Park is Sheffield’s biggest park, located in the south west of the city. Don’t be put off by the slightly unsettling name - it’s taken from its benefactor, John George Graves, who developed it to save the thousand-year-old woodland from being lost to concrete. Today, Graves Park draws locals and visitors alike with its lush green spaces, dense woodland and beautiful little streams. What’s more, it’s absolutely packed with stuff to do.

Graves Animal Farm is always a good one to start with - you can come face-to-face with the likes of llamas and alpacas, and it’s free to visit, too. Speaking of animals, the size and variety of Graves Park also makes it a hugely popular spot with dog walkers, so it’s the ideal place to give your canine companion some exercise. Or, if you’re thinking about getting your sweat on, there are loads of sporting fields and facilities, including those for bowling, cricket, football, tennis and golf.

If you just fancy chilling out though, there’s a cool little cafe that’s great for sitting with a brew and maybe a cheeky bit of people-watching. All in all, it’s easy to see why Graves Park is such a popular go-to.

Weston Park

Weston Park is not too tricky to find - as the name suggests, it’s in the west of the city, right next to the University of Sheffield Library. It was first opened in 1857, so almost two centuries of history and culture are reflected in a bunch of standout historic landmarks and memorials scattered across the park. In fact, if you’re in the mood for a bit of history, it’s well worth paying a (free) visit to Weston Park Museum. Interestingly, one major historical development is reflected not in a monument you can see, but rather in something you can’t - the entire right wing of the building is missing, having been destroyed by a bomb during the Sheffield Blitz.

As well as the history, there’s lots more stuff to do in Weston Park too. You can pop in for a brew at the Ambulo Cafe for example, or feel the burn at two all-weather tennis courts. You can also take a ride on the miniature railway, or explore Deer Park, where you can spot… well, we’ll leave you to suss that one.

Oh, and if you fancy getting married (maybe that’s your idea of a good Saturday afternoon, we’re not ones to judge), you’ll be glad to hear that the ornate Bandstand in Weston Park is licensed for it. Obviously though, you’ll probably have to organise that one a bit more in advance.

Pound's Park

Pound's Park is technically a bit of an outlier in that it’s not nearly as massive as the other parks we’ve covered so far. Instead, it’s smaller and mostly designed for families, but don’t dismiss it on that basis - it’s perfect if you’ve got a bit of time and you fancy breaking up your day a bit. Well known as a “pocket park”, you’ll find it located on the site of an old fire station. In fact, that’s where the name comes from - it’s named for Sheffield’s first Chief Fire Office, Superintendent John Charles Pound.

If you’ve seen it before - whether online or in person - you’ll almost certainly have seen its most distinctive feature. That’s ‘Reverie’, the stunning mural of a kingfisher and heron by British artist Peachzz, who was inspired by the biodiversity in Sheffield’s canals.

Since you’re reading this, you’re probably too old for the playgrounds (sorry to break it to you), but if you’re in the mood for a brew, or ready to get productive, make sure to check out the Grao Brazil Cafe for fresh Brazilian coffee. All told, Pound's Park is the best place to sit and take in Sheffield’s quirky mix of natural beauty and big-city buzz, right in the heart of everything.

‍
Find Your Sheffield Home

‍
Now as we touched on above, Sheffield has over 250 parks and green spaces to explore - so this is far from a full list. If you’re planning on moving into any of our Sheffield apartments, rest assured you’ve got no shortage of options! And if you have any questions, or you’d like to book a viewing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at hello@olloliving.co.uk or by giving us a call on 07780 301353. We’re here to help!

‍