About Sheffield

The City

Sheffield lies in the metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire; its origins come from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. We’re the UKs fifth largest city with a population of around 600,000 people.

During the mid-19th century, the city gained an international reputation for steel production and became famous throughout the world as the home of stainless steel. Hence, the nickname: ‘Steel City’. Crucible steel was also invented here, which led to a population surge during the Industrial Revolution.

Sheffield received its municipal charter in 1893, when it officially became the City of Sheffield. Because of the seven surrounding hills, we’re often referred to as ‘Britain’s biggest village’.

Roughly placed in the middle of England, Sheffield’s a great location for travel around the UK. There’s also a wide range of shops, entertainment and theatres. Our two main theatres, the Lyceum and the Crucible, form the largest complex outside London.

We’re a city surrounded by more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens; of which over 60% of Sheffield is green space. In fact, there’s more trees per person than any other city in Europe. What’s more, a third of the city lies within the Peak District National Park.

Sport

We have a prominent sporting heritage, including two football teams: Wednesday and United.

We’re also the home to the world’s oldest football club Sheffield F.C. – formed by a group of cricketers in 1857.

In 1977 the World Snooker Championships came to the city, and are hosted here each year at The Crucible.

Sebastian Coe and Jessica Ennis are two notable athletes and Olympians to have grown up in the city. Sheffielder, Jamie Reeves won the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1989.

The second stage of the Tour de France 2014 took place in Yorkshire for the first time this year on July 6; the participants completing the route in Sheffield city center.

The University

Sheffield has two universities: Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. The two combined bring in over 50,000 students to the city each year.

The University grew out of the Sheffield Medical School (founded in 1828), Firth College (1879) and the Sheffield Technical School (1884).

These three institutions came together in 1897 to form the University College of Sheffield, which in turn became the University of Sheffield in 1905.

Sheffield Hallam University’s history goes back to 1834 with the establishment of the Sheffield School of Design.