What do you think of when you hear Sheffield being mentioned? Maybe the historical steel industry, famous bands, movies like The Full Monty, the Peak District National Park, or even The Crucible Theatre?
We think about how green the city of Sheffield is, with free green public spaces both in the city centre and on the outskirts. Even the newly opened Radisson Blu Hotel on Pinstone Street has a green ethos.
Our writer, Rachel McAlley recently visited Sheffield for a night at the Radisson Blu, plenty of great food and drink, plus she visited some wonderful green spaces. Here’s what she thought of the South Yorkshire capital.
I was invited to experience the hospitality at Radisson Blu Sheffield for 1-night, along with breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea at the hotel itself. The visit also included lunch at Ego Mediterranean, shopping and hot chocolate at Leah’s Yard, terrarium making at Plantology Flowers, and a morning at The Tropical Butterfly House.
I even managed to visit the beautiful Sheffield Winter Garden, and stroll through the award-winning Peace Garden prior to checking-in to the Radisson Blu.
Sheffield Winter Garden & Peace Garden
The Winter Garden is one of the largest temperature glasshouses in the UK (matching the size of around 5000 domestic greenhouses), where there are well over 2500 species of plants from across the world. Visitors can use the indoor seating, relax at Millennium Galleries café, or just wander and enjoy the open garden space.
The outdoor Peace Gardens offer a tranquil space to walk through and take in the waterfalls, water cascades, and the fountain with its 89 individual jets. Furthermore, whilst strolling through I spotted a wedding party having photographs taken by the fountain, and I must say that the Peace Gardens are the perfect setting for this.
Radisson Blu, Sheffield
Speaking of green spaces in Sheffield, the Radisson Blu and Radisson Hotel Group as a whole aim to be net zero by 2050 to align with approved science-based targets. This particular Radisson Blu has a number of living roof tops with grasses and plants to help the eco-system and bees enjoy greenery in the city. Additionally, for guests who consider sustainability before booking, the hotel facilitates sustainable travel choices and is looking to be verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.
Firstly, I checked in at the Pinstone Street check-in desk, I say this because the hotel has two receptions. Uniquely, Radisson Blu Sheffield has a further reception on Burgess Street, which is mainly used for taxi drop off and collection. Secondly, I was then taken on a tour around the hotel and facilities, and dropped my suitcase off in my room. Thirdly, I headed out to lunch with my fellow media guests. Visit Radisson Blu to book a room.
Lunch at Ego Mediterranean
The restaurant looks into the Winter Garden, and onto one of the independent shopping streets. The venue itself is bright and airy with a Mediterranean feel and lots of pine, which fits nicely with the greenery next door in the Winter Garden.
I had King Prawn & Chilli Linguini, with garlic, red chilli, sundried tomato and fresh rocket. The side dish I ordered was in-keeping with the green theme as I opted for the Rocket and Grana Padano Salad, with balsamic glaze. Visit Ego Mediterranean to reserve a table.
Leah’s Yard
Our next stop was at Leah’s Yard, an outdoor independent shopping, eating and drinking hub. This Grade ll listed yard boasts quirky gift shops, florist, book shop, craft beer, Italian food, wine shop, barbers, gallery, market and a chocolate shop.
We nipped into Chocolate Bar, a craft chocolate shop and café, where we indulged in a hot chocolate of our choosing. Options include hot or iced, which chocolate, what type of milk, toppings, and additions of spirits. I went for the 44% milk hot chocolate with oat milk and nothing else. It was insanely good! It even came served with a mini gooey brownie on the side. Visit Leah’s Yard for full store listings and opening times.
Plantology
We strolled through the city and onto our next destination, which was to make our very own terrarium at Plantology Florist. A terrarium is small garden in an open glass bowl or a lidded glass container, in which you place plants that are hardy and don’t need too much looking after. They create their own mini eco-system within the glass bowl.
We each started with a lesson in how to make them by Jill, the founder of Plantology and then were given free-reign to make our own. Everything was supplied by Jill and her team, including; glass bowl, gravel, soil, sand, plants (succulents), driftwood, rocks, and bark.
I took pride in making my own terrarium, it wasn’t the best design in the group, and it wasn’t perfect, but it turned out pretty unique and that made me happy! Visit Plantology Florist to book a workshop.
The Rooftop Restaurant at Radisson Blu Hotel
As I mentioned previously, I dined within the Radisson, at The Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace. The group enjoyed dinner on the first night, breakfast the following morning, and mid-afternoon we relaxed over afternoon tea. Here’s a snapshot of the dishes we devoured.
Dinner included a glass of Champagne on the Terrace as the sun set over Sheffield’s Peace Gardens and Town Hall, then cocktails in the hotel’s private dining space. We had a selection of starters to share, main courses to share, and desserts to share. I think we tucked into almost every starter and every main dish from the menu so as to get a true feel of what visiting guests could enjoy. My personal favourite was the king prawn starter and the mini chicken burger main. But honestly, everything was extremely good.
Breakfast was a buzz of activity with guests from all over the world meeting for coffee and pastries, hot buffet, continental meats and cheese, plus various fruit salads and yoghurts. Even though the restaurant was busy, it had a calmness to it and a wonderful feel. We even managed to take our breakfast on The Terrace and people watch over the city.
Afternoon Tea at the Radisson Blu is another level delicious, with quaint sandwiches, dinky cakes and pastries, and a selection of teas or coffee. There were traditional sandwiches, warm fruit scones, and cheesecakes, parfaits, and so much more. The pastry chef had done herself proud with this incredible selection of delicacies. Book a table at The Rooftop Restaurant & Bar now.
Tropical Butterfly House
Just outside the city centre and short taxi ride away from the hotel is the Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park. Our visit took in the stunning butterfly house along with some exotic creatures and tropical plants, beautiful birds, and a few little mammals. I completely fell in love with the Giant Sulcata Tortoise. They are one of the largest tortoise species anywhere in the world.
Visitors can sponsor or adopt animals as the zoo is a conservation park, and all the money goes back into the park and to rescuing other animals from around the world. The website at Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park has all the information you need to book tickets.
My Thoughts
In conclusion, Sheffield is one of the greenest cities I have visited in recent years. Moreover, the city as a whole is looking to make a difference to our native animals, birds, and insects, and has an abundance of open spaces for the public to enjoy.
To top it off, Radisson Blu has arrived in the city and is making every effort to help with Sheffield’s sustainability and eco-system, and I’m here for that. Plus, the hotel is gorgeous, the staff are lovely, and the food, well the food is great!
Words by Rachel McAlley @LadyRach
