Destination Spotlight: Sheffield
Meet the Unexpected with Sheffield
Welcome to Sheffield – a city once famed for forging steel, now forging unforgettable experiences.
In the North of England, Sheffield is easily accessible, with London just two hours away by train and Manchester within one hour from the city. Nestled between seven hills and with over 250 parks and woodlands (61% of the city’s space!), Sheffield is one of Europe’s greenest cities. Don’t let all the fresh air fool you though – this city is buzzing with innovation, creativity and great event credentials. From historic halls to rooftop cocktails, botanical glasshouses to corporate cooking classes, if you’re looking to leave a lasting impression with your delegates, discover Sheffield and be ready to meet the unexpected.
Scroll down for a whirlwind tour and uncover why this city should host your future business event..
Venues
When it comes to venues, Sheffield is teeming with unique venues, steeped in history and heritage that provide unforgettable experiences with character.
Cutlers’ Hall
Step into a world where craftsmanship meets class – hidden in the heart of the city is Cutlers’ Hall. The Grade II* listed building is more than just stunning architecture; it’s the home of the ancient Company of Cutlers dating back to 1624 and oozes heritage and grandeur. With ornate chandeliers, impressive centuries-old silverware displays, and dynamic event spaces, Cutlers’ Hall can comfortably host up to 500 people. Perfect for conferences, dinners, or networking events, this truly majestic and versatile venue captures Sheffield’s industrial roots that put the city on the world map whilst providing the modern touches that delegates expect.
The Winter Garden
Winter Garden
Imagine hosting a breakout session or drinks reception beneath towering palm trees and exotic flora. Well, the Winter Garden – the largest indoor temperate glasshouse in any European city centre - offers just that!
Dive in!
With over 2,500 plants from around the world, it’s a calm, light-filled oasis perfect for receptions, relaxed networking, or adding a little nature to your delegate experience.
Surrounding venues
Positioned next to the largest theatre complex outside of London, including the renowned Crucible Theatre, alongside the Millennium Gallery and the Mercure Hotel makes hosting your events here an easy way to extend your stay or combine multiple venues to create a truly unique setting.
Sheffield City Hall
Just around the corner you’ll find Sheffield City Hall, a large-scale venue with a history of hosting some seriously cool icons such as The Beatles, Queen and Shirley Bassey (to name a few). Sheffield City Hall has been at the centre of great events in the city for decades. The Oval Hall, The Ballroom and The Memorial Hall offer great flexibility with capacity ranging from 10 to 2,271 people, making it the perfect venue for large-scale events and conferences looking for a wow factor – and a sound-system fit for rock royalty!
Accommodation
With many hotels available within walking distance from the train station and city centre, Sheffield’s accommodation is ready to host guests in comfort. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Sheffield’s newest opening offers modern rooms and a rooftop bar overlooking the elegant Peace Gardens, making it ideal for a drinks reception with a view.
Right next door, the 4-star Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s offers plush rooms, a spa and executive suites with another exquisite view of the Peace Gardens, plus a glass atrium that looks straight into the Winter Garden. Wake up, grab a coffee and walk straight to your event venue!
Food
Sheffield is recognised as a top-tier foodie city. Home to bold flavours, street food innovators, and big-hearted social enterprises.
Cambridge Street Collective (CSC), the largest purpose-built food hall in Europe, brings together 20 global food vendors, vibrant working spaces and an event edge, perfect for informal networking or creative collaboration that caters to all delegates.
For those wanting to leave a positive impact in the city, on site also sits Blend Culinary Foundation. Blend offers hands-on team-building experiences which involve groups preparing and cooking meals for the local community and those in need, providing a feel-good way to bond and give back during your event.
Kelham Island
Looking for a venue with edge? Take a short stroll to Sheffield’s former industrial heart: Kelham Island. Think 19th-century factories reimagined into one of Europe’s coolest neighbourhoods. With independent breweries, galleries, museums and riverside venues, it’s gritty, stylish and perfect for planners looking for something with a contemporary twist.
The Victoria, one of the area’s newest venues is a beautiful space perfect for meetings and conferences. Built with sustainability in mind, you can find repurposed furnishings and décor, giving the place added character and charm.
Why not indulge in a luxurious chocolate experience with Sheffield’s very own craft chocolate brand, Bullion? Take a tour of their factory in Kelham Island to learn how their premium craft chocolate is created, followed by a trip to Leah’s Yard, opposite CSC, to enjoy their delicious produce (the hot chocolate is definitely worth a try)!
Chatsworth House & the Peak District
Chatsworth House
From Pride and Prejudice to today’s most talked-about film sets – including Peaky Blinders – if you’re looking for something that will make your future event go down in history, Chatsworth House is waiting. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, this jaw-dropping venue is nestled within the stunning Peak District.
Events at Chatsworth
From gala dinners in The Painted Hall to breakout sessions in historic libraries, Chatsworth has hosted royalty, celebrities, film crews and of course, incredible corporate events. This grand estate is ideal for high-end, high-impact events.
Find out more about events at Chatsworth House.
The Peak District
The Peak District National Park is a must-see for delegates looking to extend their trip following an event in Sheffield. With one-third of the city sitting within the Peak District, it’s an easy trip out. Quintessentially English countryside with rolling green hills, fresh air and breathtaking views make for an incredible adventure pre or post-event.
Universities
With two major universities, The University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), the city has cutting-edge academic venues such as The Diamond, The Wave and the Hertha Ayrton STEM Centre, as well as a wealth of intellectual capital.
For example, The Diamond at the University of Sheffield is a futuristic building providing state-of-the-art facilities built for learning and collaboration, as well as on-site tech support, ideal for high-level training, STEM events and academic conferences.
Not to mention the city’s access to leading expertise in sectors such as healthcare and medicine, creative industries, and renewable energy. Sheffield’s universities are brimming with bright minds and the next generation of thinkers, experts and innovators. Be part of this legacy and find out more about their Ambassador Programme.
Upcoming Events
And, if you’re wondering what big events Sheffield has coming up, here’s three of many preparing to take the city by storm!
In January 2026, the ISU European Figure Skating Championships return to Sheffield at the Utilta Arena.
Each year, the World Snooker Championship is held at the Crucible in Sheffield. With 2027 marking the 50th Anniversary at the host venue, the event is set to be a big one!
In October 2027, Sheffield will be one of five UK cities to host the 10th edition of the British Art Show. Originally launched in Sheffield in 1979, the show will take place across multiple venues in the city, including the Millennium Gallery.
Recap
So, to recap - why choose Sheffield?
- One of Europe’s greenest cities
- Easily accessible by train and close to major airports
- A hub of innovation, creativity, and academic excellence
- Venues that inspire – from botanical gardens to baroque halls
- A city big enough to excite, small enough to connect, compact enough to walk
Sheffield blends Yorkshire charm with Northern grit, sustainability with style, and tradition with innovation. Whether you’re hosting 20 delegates or 2,000, this city has the space, creativity and soul to make your next business event truly unforgettable.
With an expert team on hand to help, find out how you can wow delegates by bringing your next event to Sheffield here.
