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Monday 5 December 2016

uk city guide: sheffield.

sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger

I haven't graced the northern part of the country anywhere near as much as I would've liked. But I'm getting there, gradually... Earlier in the year I visited York, about a year ago I went to Manchester, and I wanted to head back as soon as I was on the train out of there. 

A week ago, I was lucky enough to be sent to Sheffield to see what it's all about.

SPOILER ALERT: I loved it. 



My mum's parents were Yorkshire born and bred, and she was born in Hull, so whenever I do get up north and hear that soft and friendly accent, I feel kind of at home, despite never really exploring my roots.

I was asked to take part in the #MercureCitySwappers campaign - I gave my 3 tips for a blogger heading to Bristol, and I got some bloggers' tips for my trip to Sheffield!

So here's my little guide to Sheffield.


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger st pauls mercure hotel spa
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger st pauls mercure lobby christmas tree









WHERE TO STAY IN SHEFFIELD


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room king size bed
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room desk
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room view

I stayed in the four star Mercure St Paul's Hotel & Spa - right smack bang in the middle of pretty much everything which was on my to do list. I walked into a huge, bright lobby and was greeted by friendly staff who told me everything I needed to know and sent me off in the direction of my room for the night.

Which, by the way, was humungous. 

My gorgeous room had a massive bed, a bathroom with a bath and shower, and even a separate little lounging area with two armchairs and a desk. The views over the red bricked buildings and rooftops were amazing, especially when I woke up to soft pastel skies the next morning.

I went for a swim in the hotel pool before making myself a coffee with the Nespresso machine and relaxing in my room for a little while, enjoying the views, the space, and the silence.


I also had dinner and breakfast in the hotel restaurant - both of which were lovely. The staff were very attentive!


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room view
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger king size bed
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger premium room lounge area
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger st pauls the yard breakfast buffet continental









WHAT TO DO IN SHEFFIELD


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger winter gardens

The first place recommended to me was the Winter Gardens - and luckily this was right next to my hotel. In fact, the restaurant overlooked it! 

It's a large, modern glasshouse full of tropical looking plants, as well as a place to get a coffee and some shops. One set of doors leads to the next recommendation on my list.. 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger winter gardens
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger millenium gallery british craft handmade for christmas
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger millenium gallery

The Millenium Gallery is right next door to the Winter Gardens, and has various exhibitions as well as a great little shop. 

At the moment you can find the Handmade For Christmas shop, and a Made In Sheffield exhibition, among other things. I loved wandering around all the interesting locally made things, although some were a little strange..


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger millenium gallery made in sheffield exhibition
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger millenium gallery made in sheffield exhibition
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger millenium gallery made in sheffield exhibition
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger marcus method exhibition

Unfortunately, this Marcus Method exhibition hadn't yet started while I was in Sheffield, but it looked super fun!

I didn't have time to check out any of the theatres, but the Crucible, Lyceum, and Theatre Delicatessen were on the list! 

One recommendation that was given to me while I was up there was to head to the pavilions in the botanical gardens. A lifelong friend and I headed there for a little wander, and I'm really glad we did. It's such a calm place, and a nice place to escape the cold on a winter's day. All the plants are gorgeous, not to mention that light...


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger botanical gardens pavilions
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger botanical gardens pavilions









WHERE TO SHOP IN SHEFFIELD


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger devonshire quarter vulgar vintage shop
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger devonshire quarter moonko shop

I was told to head to the Devonshire Quarter for some good shops - here you can find some vintage shops, and Moonko!

Moonko is a shop full of beautiful things - prints, stationery, plants and home accessories. I couldn't resist buying a couple of Christmas presents while I was there (as well as one for myself..) They also sell online, if you can't get to Sheffield. 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger devonshire quarter moonko
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger devonshire quarter moonko
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger la biblioteka book magazine shop

Another wonderful shop I stumbled upon was La Biblioteka, which sells lots of beautiful books and magazines. If you're looking for something niche or something a little bit special, chances are they'll have it here! 

You've of course got the classic Christmas market in the centre at the moment (I heard Joni's mince pie macaroons are good..) and on the first Friday and Saturday of every month there's the Peddler Market, where you can find indie food, cocktails and crafts!


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger la biblioteka book magazine shop









WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN SHEFFIELD


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger steam yard coffee co
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger steam yard coffee co oreo donut doughnuts
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger steam yard coffee co

One of the bloggers suggested that I go to Steam Yard for coffee and a donut, and while the donuts looked amazing (those Oreo ones especially) I couldn't quite manage one. I very much enjoyed the surroundings, though, and it seemed like a very popular place, with a queue taking up half the shop! 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger marmadukes coffee cafe deli

Somewhere which was recommended to me on Twitter was Marmadukes - and I headed straight there as soon as I arrived in Sheffield, to warm up with some soup and a coffee. I had one of the last bowls of parsnip soup and it was delicious. 

While I was enjoying my post-lunch coffee, a very sweet little pup came in, but more on her later..


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger marmadukes coffee cafe deli christmas wreath
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger marmadukes coffee cafe deli parsnip soup
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger mamas and leonies italian

Mama's & Leonies was a place also recommended to me on Twitter, but unfortunately I didn't have time to check it out this time around. I hear they do very good authentic Italian food, and just look at that beautiful brick building on a cobbled street! 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger great gatsby
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger great gatsby

Somewhere I did have time to check out however, was The Great Gatsby. Y'all know I cant resist a taco, so I popped in here for a little lunchtime treat. I went for the fish taco & a duck one - both were so tasty.

It seems like a pretty cool place, and they had posters up for some events that I would've loved to go to, had I been staying longer! 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger great gatsby tacos
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger upshot espresso coffee cafe shop
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger upshot espresso coffee cafe shop
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger upshot espresso coffee cafe shop

My final recommendation relates to the sweet little pup I mentioned earlier. After posting a photo on Instagram of my Marmadukes lunch, and having a little look at their profile, I spotted the very same little dog, and she had her own profile! Turned out, her owner Sam runs a very nice little coffee shop, so I went there for a coffee and a chat before meeting another pal.

Upshot Espresso is a really great space - so bright, lots of seating, amazing coffee and good food. They do some amazing looking donuts on Fridays, which I unfortunately missed out on being there on a Monday/Tuesday, but I did spend a great deal of time looking at them on Instagram

You also have the added bonus of Margaret Howl being around for a little tickle, and who can resist that little face?! 

I was lucky enough to have a quick snuggle with her before hopping on the train back to Bristol! 


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger upshot espresso coffee cafe shop margaret howl maggie french bulldog
sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger upshot espresso coffee cafe shop margaret howl maggie french bulldog lyzi unwin

I loved my time in Sheffield - it seems like quite a small and very friendly city. There's lots going on if you know where to look, and I'd love to visit again for a little longer next time. It's also not far from the Peak District, which I definitely need to adventure around!

If you're thinking of visiting Sheffield, check out Mercure's hotels in the area.


And as if it was all a dream, I was right back in Bristol again.


sheffield city guide mercure city swappers uk bristol travel lifestyle blogger cobbled street

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5 comments

  1. Oooooh, Sheffield is right on our doorstep and I haven't been for ages - this post makes me want to rectify that! x
    Sophie Cliff

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a lovely little city! I would probably travel there just for those Oreo donuts... Yum!

    Laura // Middle of Adventure

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sheffield looks lovely and so does the hotel. Brilliant photos as always. Perhaps a little excursion to Yorkshire should be planned... x

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've just come across your blog and I really love it! Great post :D

    www.georginadoes.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks absolutely lovely, I've always wanted to visit Sheffield, so will definitely take you up on your tips if and when I ever do get the chance :)

    Erin | art, inspiration, words

    ReplyDelete

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