Sheffield is a fantastic city for students, with plenty of popular areas like Division Street and Ecclesall Road offering some amazing cafes, bars and things to do. But north of the city centre lies Kelham Island, another lively area for students to explore when they move to the Steel City. And yes, it actually is an island…
Kelham Island was home to Sheffield’s industrial history for hundreds of years, with countless steel and iron factories taking advantage of the River Don that runs through it.
Now, Kelham Island has transformed into one of the coolest places to live in the UK and is now home to some of the best cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants and independent businesses. It’s also just a short tram ride, bus, uber or walk from the city centre.
Peddler Market is in the heart Kelham Island and we absolutely love the area! Peddler was one of the first events to move in 10 years ago and has encouraged other independent businesses to join over the years to make the place what it is now. So, we’ve made a list of places we think all students must visit when they move.
Peddler Market is an award-winning street food event that takes place in the heart of Kelham Island on the first Friday and Saturday of every month. At Peddler Market, you’ll find some of the UK’s best street food, amazing brewery tap-takeovers, cracking entertainment, live music and DJs, and independent stall holders.
The monthly events are a must for students wanting to try scrumptious street food and craft drinks while soaking up all the vibes (and getting to stroke some cute dogs, too, as Peddler is pooch-friendly!) The first 100 people to arrive at Peddler Market each month will also get a free reusable cup, so you could get 50p off every pint, if you’re quick!
If a chilled walk and a coffee with cake is your thing, Kelham Island is home to multiple independent cafes. Within the Peddler Courtyard you’ll find Depot, an artisan bakery offering fresh bread, pastries and focaccia, lovely sweet treats and local, speciality coffee. You can pop in and grab a delicious bite to go, or if you’d prefer a leisurely brunch, Depot has plenty of seating for you to take advantage of.
B’Reyt Dough is another one of our Burton Road neighbours. They specialise in traditional Neapolitan pizza, using quality toppings and cooked in their wood-fired oven. You can head to their new restaurant to make a night of it or grab one of their delicious pizzas at our next Peddler Market.
For proper pub grub at a great price, students need to head to The Fat Cat – one of Sheffield’s oldest real ale pubs. They have a large range of beers, as well as an extensive food menu that features homemade pies, creamy curries, and hearty roasts.
Kelham Island has a cracking nightlife and is a go-to location for many weekend drinkers, with traditional pubs, breweries and bars-galore.
The Riverside pub is a local favourite for those wanting to enjoy a tipple in the sun – it has a massive beer garden and a brilliant drinks menu. It also sits opposite multiple student accommodation buildings, making it perfect for a swift pint.
For those looking for some extra vibes, Factory Floor is the place to be. Our neighbours are based in a disused factory and specialise in drip-infused spirits and unreal DJ sets. They have a great beer selection and also make delicious, innovative cocktails. Look out for the upcoming Factory Reset events as tickets go fast!
If you love a dance, you have to head to an event at Dryad Works. The DIY, independent creative space hosts some of the best EDM, trance and jungle events in Sheffield.
Kelham Island is more than just pubs and cafes, though. It has a rich history in Sheffield’s rise as an industrial powerhouse in North England, with factories producing steel and cutlery.
You can visit Kelham Island Museum to learn all about the district’s history and how Sheffield became the Steel City. And bonus, it’s absolutely free!
The area is also home to Kelham Flea, a labyrinth of bargain furniture, clothes and other nick-nacks. This could be the perfect place to decorate your new student accommodation.
Students can also head to Kelham Film Club at Alder Bar every Thursday to catch cool, indie films. Or you can head to Kelham Island Books And Music, an independent shop containing hundreds of second-hand books and vinyl.
Want to try something new in a new city?
If you’ve been inspired by the Olympic games, Sheffield has an amazing climbing scene – with friendly locals who are happy to help you improve your climbing game. Foundry Climbing in Kelham Island has multiple climbing walls and instructors can help you during your visit.
The House Skate Park also gives students a great opportunity to get stuck into a new sport. The indoor skatepark is in the middle of Kelham Island and houses different rooms. The House Skate Park team is happy to help beginners and the skateboarding community is very welcoming.
At Peddler Market, we offer exclusive experiences during our events. We host drinks masterclasses every Peddler Saturday where attendees learn the ins-and-outs of creating the perfect drink, experimenting with premium ingredients and learning from the experts. Keep an eye on our socials to see what we have in store at our next Peddler Market.
We’re proud that Sheffield is a vibrant student city and love welcoming them to Peddler Market. And we think students would have an amazing time down in Kelham Island. If you’d like to learn when our next Peddler Market Sheffield is, head to our Events page.