Museum-Hopping in Sheffield: A Student's Checklist
If you’re looking for something interesting to do between lectures, Sheffield’s museum scene has a lot to offer - and plenty of it is free! From world-class art and quirky collections to hands-on history and industrial heritage, Sheffield’s museums are worth a visit. Our student accommodation has your go-to guide for the best museums in and around Sheffield.
Sheffield Museums trust (free entry, donations welcome)
1. Weston Park Museum
Sheffield’s flagship museum has exhibitions spanning natural history, archaeology, social history, and art. The gallery is also home to local’s favourites Spike the Woolly Rhino and Snowy the Polar Bear, so what’s not to love?
Find out more: Weston Park Museum
2. Millennium Gallery
Located in the heart of the city, this gallery combines fine art with industry. It is home to the city’s world-famous Metalwork collection, as well as the Ruskin Collection of art, manuscripts and minerals from the 1800s. There’s also a great gift shop to grab a keepsake, with bespoke homeware, hand-crafted jewellery and more.
Learn more: Millennium Gallery
3. Graves Art Gallery
Graves is close by the Millennium Gallery, so you can tick both locations off your list! This Art Gallery is themed around Art Deco, with work from artists like Hockney, Popper, Quinn and more. There’s regularly changing exhibitions, so there will be something different every time you go.
See more: Graves Gallery
4. Kelham Island Museum
Set in one of Sheffield’s oldest industrial districts, Kelham Island Museum is a deep dive into the city’s steelmaking past. The interactive galleries and the mighty River Don Engine (a 12,000 horsepower steam engine!) make this museum unforgettable.
See the website: Kelham Island Museum
5. Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Step back in time at this 18th-century industrial works, where you can see traditional steel making methods, workers' cottages, and even a scythe-making workshop. It’s a peaceful spot packed with history and charm, located next to the River Sheaf for stunning views.
View more: Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
6. Shepherd Wheel Workshop
This unique spot lets you see a working water wheel and machinery in action, where Sheffield’s ironwork was manufactured up until the 1930s. The workshop is only 10-minutes from Endcliffe Park, so you can stop off for a bit of history whilst you’re on a stroll.
Find out more: Shepherd Wheel Workshop
Specialist and niche museums
7. National Emergency Services Museum
Housed in a historic fire station, this museum covers the history of police, fire, ambulance, and coastguard services. You’ll be left inspired by the history of the emergency services, uncovered in the stories and artifacts. Plus, you can even sit in some of the vintage vehicles - ideal for Instagram pics!
View the website: National Emergency Services Museum
8. National Videogame Museum
We think this is one of the coolest museums in the UK! Play your way through gaming history, with 100 games to try out from Space Invaders to Super Mario. You can also learn all about the tech behind the games, including original artwork, marketing materials and more. A gamer’s paradise!
Find out more: National Videogame Museum
9. The Winter Garden
Like a museum, but for plants! This green wonderland is right in the centre of the city, housing 2,500 plants from around the world. There’s lots of places to grab a coffee to chill out or work on coursework surrounded by greenery, plants and trees from across the globe.
Find out more: The Winter Garden
University and independent galleries
10. Alfred Denny Museum
Run by the University of Sheffield, this quirky zoological museum is open on monthly guided tours. The collection is huge, with fossils of extinct animals, skeletons and even letters from Charles Darwin to take a look over. Plus with a guided tour, you’ll have someone to ask all the questions you’ll inevitably have.
Book a tour: Alfred Denny Museum
11. Bishops’ House
This place is small, free, and full of character. It’s one of the oldest timber-framed houses in Sheffield, and gives a glimpse into 16th and 17th-century life. It’s an extremely photogenic building and even used as a backdrop for weddings, so catch it on a sunny day to get the ultimate social media content.
View more: Bishop’s House
12. Turner Museum of Glass
If you appreciate everything dainty and pretty, this museum is for you. Located within the University of Sheffield, this specialist museum showcases historic and contemporary glassware from all over the world. It even includes a glass fibre wedding dress!
See more: The Turner Museum of Glass
Regional museums nearby
13. Magna Science Adventure Centre (Rotherham)
Magna is fun for students too! Set in a former steelworks, there’s zones dedicated to earth, fire, air and water. Watch the Big Melt show to see how an electric arc furnace works, and visit the Steelos Gallery to see how the steelworks came to be - from Roman times to present day.
Book tickets: Magna
14. South Yorkshire Transport Museum (Rotherham)
You don’t have to be a transport enthusiast to appreciate this museum! Here you can see horse drawn caravans, retro milk floats, tractors, jeeps, ambulances and an array of historic buses and coaches. The museum is run by a collection of volunteers and is relatively cheap to visit.
Find out more: South Yorkshire Transport Museum
15. South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum (Doncaster)
Explore a wide range of aircraft and aviation artefacts, including military and civilian planes. The museum hosts open cockpit weekends, with up to 30 cockpits open to climb inside! Ideal for a memorable experience, as well as the photo opportunity.
Find out more: South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum
From woolly rhinos to vintage fire engines and video game throwbacks, Sheffield’s museums are as diverse as its student population. They're not only a great way to spend a rainy afternoon but also perfect for finding inspiration, learning something new, or impressing visiting friends and family.
When you stay at our Sheffield student accommodation, you’ll have all of these museums right at your fingertips! So, what are you waiting for? Reserve your room or arrange a viewing at our luxury student accommodation today: true student Sheffield