This route is one of hundreds written by volunteers – many of whom are Ramblers – for the Get Walking Keep Walking scheme, a Ramblers-led initiative to encourage more people to walk everyday and improve their health. Since its start in 2008, hundreds of people have undergone the 12-week walking programme in cities across England, and thousands more have taken up DIY packs to do it on their own. This Sheffield-based walk is written by the veteran Ramblers volunteer, Terry Howard, who has been laying on outreach walks with the Ramblers for over 25 years. It’s pretty flat by Sheffield standards, and takes you from the medieval part of town to where it expanded westwards and uphill. Along the way you’ll see some of Sheffield’s most famous buildings: the cathedral where you start and finish; the oldest brick building in Sheffield, Old Bank House; the city hall; City Museum; and parts of the University of Sheffield. You will also visit two popular parks – Weston Park and Crookes Valley Park.
[1] Facing the Cathedral, turn right to East Parade, and then left towards Campo Lane. Go diagonally across to St Peter’s Close (by Old Bank House) and head up it to North Church Street. Cross over and go right then left along Wheat’s Lane, emerging onto Paradise Square. Go up Paradise Street back to Campo Lane. Cross over, turn right and walk to Townhead Street. Turn left to the crossing then go right onto Pinfold Street.
[2] Continue along, (take care when crossing Rockingham Street), and approach the dual carriageway (you may well catch the distinctive scent from the Henderson’s Relish factory). Cross the road and tramline to continue along Leavygrave Road. At the top of the road, turn right and go up the steps, then go left and through the underpass. Head up the steps and past Sheffield University into Weston Park.
[3] Walk towards the statue of Ebenezer Elliot, local poet and Chartist. At the statue take the path on the right and head for the lake. Keeping the lake on your right, head to the tennis courts and then go right to the park entrance on Mushroom Lane. Cross and go through the gate on the left into Crookes Valley Park. At the waterside, turn left and then at the far side go up the steps. Go across the access road and onto Mushroom Lane. Turn right and head to the junction with Western Bank. To your left is City Museum, which has a café and toilets.
[4] Follow the road past the park gates to the crossing. Go over and right, then left onto Damer Street. Follow it, crossing Northumberland Road, and go up Claremont Crescent then down Claremont Place. To your right is the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. At the junction with Glossop Road, go right to the crossing, then over and left to Broomspring Lane. Turn right along it and walk to the dual carriageway. Cross and then continue on the shared path to Springfield School.
[5] Here the road bends to the junction with Fitzwilliam Street. Cross over into Devonshire Green, heading towards Devonshire Street (look out for Eldon Street road signs). Walk along Devonshire Street, crossing several roads. At the second set of traffic lights over Carver Street, go along for a short distance to the first right onto Backfields. Walk down and then go left into a gennel called Bethel Walk. At the end, cross Cambridge Street and go right. Turn left along Cross Burgess Street, then left along Burgess Street.
[6] Look out for a building with red structures on it. On reaching it there is a covered entrance with black rails – go down it and emerge onto Pinstone Street with the Town Hall opposite. Cross over to the right of the Town Hall and go down Cheney Row, left over Surrey Street and down Norfolk Street.
(A) On your left you will see Upper Chapel, the first non conformist chapel in Sheffield.
Just before Victoria Hall is Chapel Walk, go along here onto Fargate. Cross diagonally over Church Street to return to the Cathedral.