About Sheffield
Sheffield’s identity was forged in the harsh crucible of steel production and metal work, which brought with it great wealth to the industrialists and tough working conditions on the shop floor. Unlike its Northern neighbours Manchester and Leeds, the city’s growth during the industrial revolution and thereafter was primarily due to production and craftsmanship rather than trading. Perhaps as a result Sheffielders prize hard graft and solidarity over show and artifice, and have a down-to-earth friendliness that is out of step with many of the UK’s other conurbations. These characteristics no doubt helped Sheffield survive the travails of the eighties, when its heavy industry and manufacturing base was hit hard, and emerge into the twenty-first century with its distinctness intact.
The forest of cranes over the city centre reflect the boom that Sheffield is enjoying, but despite being the UK’s 4th largest city with a successful and varied economy to match, the unique village feel has not been lost. Statistically it is by far England’s safest large city and also the greenest, with over 50 public parks, plentiful trees and woodland, and the Peak District fringing the western suburbs. The University is increasingly significant in the development of Sheffield, but do take the chance to get in touch with the rest of the city during your visit; traverse the seven hills, shop til’ you drop or sample some of our award-winning beer and pubs. The links on the right are by no means exhaustive but give a few tips and suggestions, and some links to further information.
Getting Here
Sheffield is located in the north of England, around 120 miles and 2 hours travelling time by road or rail from London.
Sheffield’s nearest airport is the new Doncaster Robin Hood, though typically this has been constructed before any supporting infrastructure is in place. Hence, unless you are planning on hiring a car, it is likely to be quicker and more convenient to fly to either Bradford Leeds or East Midlands and catch the flightlink coach to Sheffield, or to fly to Manchester and catch the hourly direct train service.
However, if travelling from Western Europe, the recent opening of the HS1 railway line to London means that the Eurostar train service now offers a practical alternative to flying, particularly since arrivals from the continent terminate at St Pancras International, from where intercity trains depart to Sheffield every half hour.
Train links with the rest of the UK are plentiful, with half-hourly services to and from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Newcastle and many other destinations. For specific times see the National Rail Enquiries website.
In conjunction with East Midlands Trains we are pleased to offer discount return rail travel on selected routes.
To purchase your ticket please download the relevant form:
Discount rail booking form UK travel
Discount rail booking form Overseas travel
Complete the relevant booking form and return your form by fax to + 44 (0) 114 281 4042. Alternatively, note all of your requirements and email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Or post the completed form to:
Sheffield Convention Bureau Reservations
First Floor
Fountain Precinct
Balm Green
Sheffield S1 2JA, United Kingdom
Parking
If you are planning on arriving by car, please note that the maximum stay for on-street parking near the conference venue is one hour. The closest off street parking is the Charles Street Q-Park which is within a 2 minutes walking distance from the conference venue. To find alternative off street parking, go to the Sheffield City Council website and search for “Mercure St Paul’s Hotel”.
Travel and Accommodation
Travel
In conjunction with East Midlands Trains we are pleased to offer discount return rail travel on selected routes.
To purchase your ticket please download the relevant form:
Discount rail booking form UK travel
Discount rail booking form Overseas travel
Complete the relevant booking form and return your form by fax to + 44 (0) 114 281 4042. Alternatively, note all of your requirements and email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Or post the completed form to:
Sheffield Convention Bureau Reservations
First Floor
Fountain Precinct
Balm Green
Sheffield S1 2JA, United Kingdom
Accommodation
Delegates can now make on-line reservations for accommodation for the IWP International Conference 2012.
To make a reservation and for further information about booking accommodation visit: www.conferencebookings.co.uk/delegate/YSTIWP12k.
Getting Around
Trains
Whilst they may be the best way of reaching the city, the local train services serve very few places within the city limits, and nowhere of particular interest other than the Meadowhall shopping complex, which can be reached in 5 minutes on very regular services from the railway station.
Buses
In the 1980s Sheffield’s staunchly socialist council, under the command of the then staunchly socialist David Blunkett, attempted to provide free public transport for the masses. This far-sighted scheme never quite materialised, but local mythology has it that fares had been cut to 2p before the somewhat more right-wing central government of the time put a stop to such mischief and privatised the entire UK bus service!
However Sheffield continues to have a very wide-reaching bus service, albeit at somewhat inflated prices. The two principal providers are First Mainline and Stagecoach – rivalry between the two has lead to price-cuts and over-provision on some routes at the expense of others. Fortunately for conference delegates, the routes that you are likely to want to use are those with the price-cuts and over-provision, specifically the numbers 40 (First) and 120 (Stagecoach) which link the railway/bus interchange with the city centre and the University areas on the west side of the city, the 51/52 (both Stagecoach and First) likewise linking the city centre with the University, and numbers 81 to 84 which run from the city along the Ecclesall Road. All run to a 5-10 minute frequency during the day; timetables and the location of stops can be found via the sites linked to above, the SYPTE website or from the Travel Information Centre on Arundel Gate, just behind the conference venue.
Trams
Built in the late 80’s, Sheffield’s tram service is great, though not exactly extensive by European standards, with only 3 principal destination termini served from the city centre. It does however bypass much of the traffic, call at the railway station, the University and some of the best pubs in the UK in the Shalesmoor area, so the planners got the initial stages right!
On foot
As befits a city on the edge of the Peak District, the topography of Sheffield is itself quite undulating; indeed the city nestles between 7 hills. Indeed the likes of Hunter House Road and Rutland Road pass off as minor summits themselves. However this doesn’t rule out exploring on foot, with the flat City Centre area easily navigable in a good half-hour or so, and the attractive suburbs of Broomhill and the classy shops of Ecclesall Road on the west side of the city just a 20 minute stroll away from the centre. During the rush hour it would be much quicker than bus or car too!
The University of Sheffield website has outline maps of the city centre, the west side of the city and the University buildings.
Eating and Drinking
Sheffield’s restaurant scene has unfairly been considered a poor relation by London-based critics who think that anywhere north of the capital is somehow bound to be inferior. Not so – the city boasts a host of great restaurants offering quality food at prices somewhat more sensible than those found down south.
If the Londoners scoff at our fine dining even they have to admit that Sheffield has the finest public houses and beer in the UK. For sheer variety this is a statistically proven fact – you can find (and drink) more varieties of real ale in Sheffield than any other British city, and the quality of the local brewing is not in doubt either, with breweries such as Kelham Island and Abbeydale regularly winning awards at national and regional beer festivals.
Here are a few recommendations from around the centre of Sheffield and the west side of the city, encompassing a range of prices and cuisines:
Restaurants:
Zing Vaa (map): Sheffield’s best Chinese restaurant.
Nonnas (map): Fashionable Italian restaurant and bar, home to the beautiful people of the South-West of the city.
Nirmals (map): Top-notch Indian with eccentric hostess and an original range of curries.
Everest (map): Another excellent Indian restaurant.
Baan Thai (map): Palatial setting and quality Thai food.
Zizzi (map): Newly-arrived Italian chain in the heart of the city centre.
Wasabisabi (map): Award-winning Japanese restaurant on the London Road, just south of the city centre.
Pubs:
The Fat Cat (map): Multi-award winning freehouse in an old-style two-room pub, selling umpteen different beers, and incredibly good value food too. Legendary.
Kelham Island Tavern (map): Just around the corner from the Fat Cat, and just as good, the Kelham Island Tavern was voted Yorkshire’s top pub in 2007.
The Devonshire Cat (map): Combining a vast range of UK and continental beers with modern décor and decent food; just 5 minutes from the conference venue.
The Red Deer (map): A favourite with academics, tucked away off West Street. A cosy and quiet pub with good beer.
University Arms (map): The University’s own public house, formerly the 197 Club. Lovely beer garden and ale from the Thornbridge Brewery.
The Forum (map): Modern café-bar/independent shopping complex that has more style and atmosphere than its chain-pub rivals along Division Street.
A more extensive and detailed set of restaurant reviews can be found at the Sheffield Tonight website.
For a whole host of opinions on the above places and other options, try posting a question on the very active Sheffield Forum, where you’ll get the best of the local knowledge on any subject Sheffield-based.
Places to visit
Parks and gardens
Sheffield Botanical Gardens (map)
Faithfully restored to its Victorian glory, the Botanical Gardens is a lovely spot for a gentle promenade followed by coffee and cake in the excellent tea rooms.
Winter Gardens
You won’t miss out on this recent addition to the Sheffield skyline, since it is right next to the conference venue. The conference Wine reception will be held here and it will be open exclusively for Conference delegates both Wed and Thu nights.
Of the many Sheffield Parks, verdant Endcliffe is perhaps the finest. Catch a bus to Hunters Bar or stroll down tree-lined Ecclesall Road past the boutiques and restaurants, before exploring the park and woodlands. If you are feeling really adventurous you can continue up through Bingham Park, Whiteley Woods and the Porter Valley all the way into the Peak District, or even attempt the Sheffield Round Walk.
Museums and Galleries
Millenium Galleries (map)
Adjacent to the conference venue, so no excuse to miss this one, which features exhibitions on Sheffield’s cutlery industry and other topical themes.
Weston Park Museum (map)
Another recently restored attraction, which is next door to our departmental base at IWP in Mushroom lane. Set in the pleasant Weston Park and with a nice café too. Catch a 51 or 52 bus from town to the Childrens’ Hospital; the main gates are just opposite.
Kelham Island Museum (map)
The full might of Sheffield’s industrial past is captured in a series of exhibits, the highlight of which is the giant River Don engine, which is started up a few times each day. Next door to Kelham Island Brewery and the legendary Fat Cat pub. Catch a tram to Shalesmoor and walk through the atmospheric back streets of this old industrial, area.
Magna (map)
Not strictly in Sheffield, but this award-winning interactive science and technology visitor attraction in an old steel mill is just the other side of city limits in neighbouring Rotherham.
The Sheffield Tourist Board website offers further information on all of the above and a host of other attractions.
Shopping
Devonshire Quarter(map)
Quirky independent shops and cafes, with a relaxed feel. Five minutes walk up Division Street from the Conference Hotel.
Ecclesall Road (map)
This attractive tree-lined road is home to Sheffield’s upmarket boutiques and bars, and some interesting shops; the Sheffield Shop is a fine place to buy a memento of your visit! A number of excellent cafes cluster around the Hunters Bar area; try Taste to eat in and the Greek Deli for a fine takeaway lunch.
Meadowhall(map)
Large out-of-town shopping centre on the Eastern edge of the city. Access by tram or train advisable; it tends to get very busy at the weekend.
Sport and Entertainment
Football:
Sheffield FC (the world’s oldest football club)
Ice Hockey
Rugby League
Classical Music
Theatre
Cinema
Nightlife Listings
Sheffield boasts a range of excellent gig venues and club nights for all tastes – the best sources of weekly listings are the Sheffield Telegraph and This City guides.