Neighbourhood know-how, places and people in Sheffield
Location, location
A buzzy, vibrant and affluent area of Sheffield city, Ecclesall Road is wide, grand and tree-lined. The area surrounding Ecclesall Road strikes the balance between urban living and small-town comfort. The main road is alive with the sound of locals visiting the numerous cafes, restaurants and independent shops. On warmer days, there's the chance to sit in the area's outdoor terraces or picnic in nearby gardens and parks.
The city offers highly reliable public transport links, with both the 81 and 82 buses running along Ecclesall Road. The A625 road takes you straight out of Sheffield centre towards the main area in less than ten -minutes. As a bonus, the road also provides one of the city's direct links to the natural beauty spots of the Peak District.
Bag a property
Discover winding hills lined with a combination of period properties, from red-brick terraced houses to grander sandstone homes. Many houses have luscious front gardens mirroring the astounding natural greenery for which the area is known.
You'll find chic new apartments and as well as spacious family homes. And it's a popular student part of town. A popular district with young families and professionals alike, the prices reflect this, rising slightly as you move towards the south-west of the city.
Explore
A far cry from the green city of today, the early 19th Century area lacked natural, open spaces. Following a petition and the formation of the first Botanical and Horticultural Society, more than £7,000 was raised to create the 18-acre Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
Highlights from the award-winning attraction include the Himalayan Gardens, a bronze statue of Pan, Spirit of the Woods, and a Victorian bear pit. The latter is home to a lifesize figure of a bear; its former residents long gone. Each summer, there's Music in the Gardens, which has previously hosted high profile acts such as UB40 and James.
Café & cocktails
Satisfying the city's love of spice, Ashoka first opened its doors in 1967. Since then, the Indian restaurant has become a household name in the region, famed for its intimate atmosphere as well as its authentic cuisine. The diverse menu offers the classics - jalfrezi, biriyani, et al - but also provides a local twist on dishes. One example is the Henderson's House Puri, a crispy bread filled with spiced potato and the relish of the same name.
The newly refurbished Thornbridge haunt, The Eagle is the ideal setting in which to sample Sheffield's craft beers. Somewhere between a trendy bar and traditional pub, it hosts quiz nights and live music. Next door, another of the brewery's ventures, is a gastro-style eatery. The Graze Inn serves up steaks, burgers, salads and even has an extensive vegan menu. 'Free smells' is written in glaring neon lettering in the window of a corner building. Red's True BBQ is a haven for meat-lover offering sharing platters, briskets, wings, burgers, burnt ends and more. The American-inspired restaurant has become a favourite with Sheffield locals, not least thanks to the enticing aromas it exudes.
Retail therapy
Mookau opened in 2007 and gives a diverse shopping experience with everything from lunchboxes to clothing and cushions. Alongside discover locally made items such as fine jewellery from Beth Pegler. Further up the road, the bright yellow Sheffield Makers shop is packed with Yorkshire-centric trinkets, gifts and art.
Sticking with the artistic theme, there's the Mckee gallery-come-shop on Sharrow Vale Road. White walls showcase with the unmistakable work of painter and illustrator, Pete Mckee. Sheffield royalty, the artist is also the son of a steelworker with his work often reflecting on weighty social issues in the region.
