Your Guide to the Best Areas of Sheffield
Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially one as vibrant as Sheffield.
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get lost when trying to figure out which Sheffield area has what.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the different areas of Sheffield, highlighting what each neighbourhood offers, how to get there, and why they’re worth exploring.
Whether you’re a student, a local, or just visiting, this guide will help you discover Sheffield’s hidden gems and the best places to live in Sheffield.
Discover our BA (Hons) and master’s courses available to study at our Sheffield campus.
Why WaterBear Chose Sheffield
Sheffield is more than just beautiful views and vibrant neighbourhoods; it’s one of the UK’s most influential music cities.
From hard rock to indie, electronica to bassline, the city has shaped some of the world’s most celebrated artists.
Studying at WaterBear’s Sheffield campus means you’ll be right in the heart of these iconic areas, living and learning where music history was made, and exploring the bars, cafés, and venues that give each neighbourhood its unique character.
Our dedicated Music Industries Team works closely with partner venues across the city, securing live performance slots, industry work placements, and professional networking opportunities. This hands-on support ensures WaterBear musicians and professionals develop both their craft and their careers while immersing themselves in this exciting music city.
Discover the Vibrant Sheffield Areas
Each of these areas offers something different, from great venues to student communities, making them some of the best places to live in Sheffield.
Sheffield City Centre
Sheffield’s city centre is compact but packed with life.
If you love shopping, head to The Moor or Fargate, or explore Division Street for independent and vintage shops.
For food and drink, the city centre is buzzing – from cocktails at Leopold Square to casual bites at Sheffield Plate, or a cosy Vietnamese lunch at Pho.
If you’re an aspiring musician, the city centre also offers a range of creative venues and performance spaces.
It’s easy to navigate and well-connected by buses.
Thinking of studying in Sheffield? Our campus puts you right in the heart of the action, close to the city centre’s best spots.
Ecclesall Road & Sharrow Vale
Ecclesall Road – or “Eccey Road” to locals – is a lively, student-friendly part of Sheffield.
Packed with pubs, bars, and restaurants, it’s perfect for a casual bar crawl or sampling international cuisine, from Thai to Italian.
Vintage shops and quirky stores make it a place you can spend hours exploring.
Nearby Sharrow Vale is slightly quieter, with a more independent, hipster vibe.
Don’t miss The Lescar, a hub for live jazz, or the charming coffee spots scattered along the streets.
To get to Eccey Road from the city centre, you can easily walk there in 20 minutes, or you can get the 81, 82, 83, or 88 buses.
Broomhill
Broomhill consistently ranks among the best places to live in Sheffield for students.
From charity shops and vintage stores to some of the city’s best eateries, this neighbourhood has it all.
Check out Record Collector, or take a food tour stopping at The Nottingham House or Nam Song café.
With shops, supermarkets, and a post office, Broomhill is incredibly convenient for everyday life.
To get to Broomhill from the city centre, you can easily walk there in 15/20 minutes, or you can get the 51, 52, or 120 buses.
If you’re considering life as a student in Sheffield, Broomhill is a fantastic neighbourhood to live, study, and explore.
Kelham Island
Kelham Island is a trendy area of Sheffield, often compared to Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
It’s full of quirky bars, restaurants, and cafés. Highlights include Cutlery Works, Heist brewery, The Parrot Club, and Grind café.
Kelham Island also hosts local events like the Get Together Festival and Peddler Market, as well as being home to one of the best venues in Sheffield, Yellow Arch Studios (part of our Keeping Music Live Tour), making it perfect for socialising and discovering Sheffield’s creative scene.
To get to Kelham Island from the city centre, you can easily walk there in 15 minutes, or you can get the 95 bus.
Explore Sheffield’s Best Areas
Sheffield may be smaller than other cities, but it’s packed with diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own personality.
From the bustling City Centre to student-friendly Broomhill and creative Kelham Island, there’s an area for everyone.
Thanks to our Music Industries Team, WaterBear musicians and business professionals get access to partner venues, live events, and industry opportunities across Sheffield, giving them hands-on experience where the city’s legendary music scene comes to life.
Interested in studying in Sheffield? Apply now or check out the courses we offer in this vibrant city – and discover first-hand why it’s one of the UK’s most exciting places to live.
WaterBear – The College of Music
WaterBear offers BA (Hons) degree and master’s courses made for today’s musicians, artists and industry professionals. Its colleges are based in the heart of Brighton and Sheffield, two amazing UK cities with incredible musical roots and heritage. The college also has a range of online distance learning courses.
WaterBear is a College of Falmouth University, a pioneer in creative industries education, entrepreneurship and innovation. Run by musicians for musicians WaterBear is about smaller class sizes, flexible course delivery, bespoke one-to-one mentoring and exclusive work experience and career development opportunities.