A MAN who has visited all 76 cities in the UK has named an up-and-coming city break destination – and it’s his hometown.
Travel guide creator Peter Naldrett lives in Sheffield, which has seen a huge revival in recent years.
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The former “steel city” – home to 556,000 people – is on the edge of the Peak District National Park, yet it’s often overlooked in favour of the nearby Manchester and Liverpool as city break destinations.
Peter, who visited every UK city while researching his book, Bright Lights, Big Cities, said that Sheffield could soon be the next big destination.
Talking exclusively to the Sun Newspaper, he said: “Sheffield is definitely on the way up, with new attractions, bars and restaurants popping up all the time.
“A few months ago, the Cambridge Street Collective launched, becoming the largest indoor food hall in Europe.
“There’s a lot of work going on making, you know, the city centre, a more vibrant place that you want to visit.”
It’s not just Peter who rates Sheffield either, with the northern city being named one of the best city breaks in the UK by Time Out earlier this year.
Additionally, back in 2023, The Sunday Times also said it was one of the best places to live in the north and northeast – and it’s easy to see why.
Sheffield also happens to be one of the greenest cities in the UK, with more than two million trees in the city – a far cry from its smoking chimney stacks of the 1900s.
Part of the city is also within the limits of the Peak District National Park, making it even greener in our opinion.
Visitors should make a beeline for Kelham Island, named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out.
Located just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Sheffield, the man-made island was built during the industrial revolution.
Peter added: “Kelham island was the city’s ‘Red Light District’ – a sort of no-go area.”
Now, factories and power stations have been transformed into posh flats, local businesses and pubs including the Kelham Island Tavern, which was named CAMRA’S pub of the year in 2023.
The island is a haven for foodies with the Cutlery Works, a huge two-floor food hall, featuring a mixture of independent restaurants.
There’s also the Yellow Arch, a Victorian factory complex turned music studio where the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and Jarvis Cocker have recorded tracks.
The Cambridge Street Collective which Peter mentioned opened earlier this year, with more than 20 food partners from Thai street food and Mexican tacos with a twist to West African classics.
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Nine places in and around Sheffield are even listed in the Michelin Guide.
One of the city’s main attractions is Sheffield Winter Garden, which is home to 2,500 plants from across the globe and is the the largest urban glasshouse in Europe.
Other attractions in Sheffield include the Millennium Gallery, one of the most-visited free attractions in England as well the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield Cathedral, and the National Videogame Museum.
Sheffield is even home to the oldest football stadium in the world.
Sandygate in Bramall Lane, home to Hallam FC and Hallam CC, opened its doors in 1804 – gaining the title in the Guinness Book of Records as the Oldest Football Ground in the World.
The city has also been home to its fair share of celebrities too, with Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle living in the city.
Crime writer Lee Child, Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Eddie Izzard and Tim Key all studied in Sheffield.
Unlike other UK city breaks, hotels in Sheffield are relatively affordable.
Sun Online Travel found rooms at the Leonardo Hotel Sheffield, a four-star hotel, from £68 per night.
Who is Peter Naldrett?
PETER Naldrett is a former journalist who works as a geography teacher and an author.
He has already published several books, including On Location, Treasured Islands and Around the Coast in 80 Days.
His adventures around the UK means he knows exactly what makes a city tick like the prominence of water.
Peter believes water plays an important role in the city from seasides to rivers and fountains, so if you’re not enjoying a place, make a beeline for some water.
Bright Lights, Big Cities was published on September 12, 2024.
Earlier this year, Peter explained why Brits should visit Salford – a tiny cultural powerhouse on the outskirts of Greater Manchester.
And we’ve recently revealed our favourite spots for an autumn break.
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