“The love of family and the adoration of friends is much more important the wealth and privilege” – author unknown
Sheffield is a wonderful family friendly city with an abundance of fun and fantastic family events taking place at all times. Whether you are looking for adventure, cute and cuddly animals, or exploring one of the city’s many museums or science centers, your family is sure to enjoy a great vacation while staying in Sheffield. In fact, many claim Sheffield to be the happiest city in the UK! One of its family friendly claims to fame is its association with the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Sound familiar? Although many mistaken Robin of Loxley, or “Robin Hood” to be from Nottingham, his roots are actually planted in Sheffield. It is said that the same “Robin Hood” spirit still holds true with 72% of people from Sheffield still getting that warm glow from doing good deeds for others.
The number of family based activities in Sheffield are plentiful. Here is a compilation of our favourites!
Graves Park of Sheffield
The Graves Park of Sheffield, located just 3 miles south of Sheffield city centre, has been voted best in it’s class of parks. Known for its massive size at 87 hectares, and the city’s largest public park, and is extremely accommodating for families and children. It’s facility and features include:
- Animal farm
- Café
- 2 Children’s playgrounds
- Outdoor events
- Outdoor sports: Bowling Greens*, Cricket*, Football*, Tennis, 9 Hole Pitch & Putt*
- Fishing
- Sheffield Round Walk
- Nature trail
- Woodlands
- Lakes
- Landscape and floral features
The Great Escape Game
Is your family ready for some new and exciting escape room experiences blurring the lines between everyday life and the world of video games and movies? With only 45 minutes to escape, you and your family are locked in a room and as a team. You will have to search high and low to solve a series of intricate puzzles testing common sense and logic as the clock ticks down, can you escape?
There is no minimum age for children when accompanied by a parent, however, discretion is advised due to the nature of the game. The minimum age without adult supervision is 12.
Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre
The Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre has been voted the number 1 destination to visit in Sheffield. With its rave reviews, one can only imagine the fantastic creatures and views to be discovered. One can spend hours exploring the Centre, and find its landmark Butterfly House full of flying, little beauties! The facilities include a Picnic Room, a Jungle themed gift shop and a modern dining facility called the Butterfly Cafe which serves freshly prepared hot and cold food and homemade cakes and deluxe teas. The Tropical Butterfly House is open daily and is located just 5 minutes from M1, junction 31.
Magna Science Adventure Centre
Magna is the UK’s 1st science adventure centre! It is set in a cavernous space in Templeborough steelworks in Rotherham where you and your family can explore the elements, earth, air, fire and water. The original steelworks provides a dramatic backdrop for the interactive experiences you will find here such as firing a giant water cannon, launching rockets, boarding an airship or spinning in a gyroscopic chair!
Magna is best known for its show “The Big Melt”. It can be heard and seen from almost every part of the building! The show is set around the ‘E’ furnace which is one of the original, electric arc furnaces, unused since the days of Sheffield’s booming steel industry.
Magna is open daily 10.00am – 5.00pm (4.00pm October – February)
From 3rd Nov to 5th Feb Open Friday to Sunday only (closed Mon – Thurs) except for school visits.
For a family friendly hotel in Sheffield, The Leopold Hotel is a four star unique hotel and is built on the former site of a Grade II listed Boys Grammar School. It has been restored to retain its charming architectural character. This historic property, now home to serviced apartments for visitors from all over the globe, offers a quirky yet luxurious place call home during your travels. The Hotel also reflects its past with the many images and photographs that have been donated from its past pupils. Touches of memorabilia keep the hotel alive with tales of school boy antics and life as it used to be. One could spend all day reminiscing through the Leopold Hotel in itself.
