Best Things To Do In Kelham Island For Students
With a unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment spots you’ll never be bored when exploring Sheffield’s Kelham Island.
Whether it’s going for a drink in one of the vibrant bars, grabbing a bite to eat in one of the delicious restaurants or even exploring the cultural hubs.
Lucky for you, our Sheffield student accommodation is on the doorstep of this thriving manmade island which is over 900 years old.
Don’t stop there, carry on reading our guide to discover the best things to do in Kelham Island for students.
With something for everyone you won’t wanna miss out on this one!
1. Visit The Kelham Island Museum
Whilst living in the Steel City, it’s only right to take a trip down to the Kelham Island museum to learn more about the history and culture of this man made island.
The cultural hub is situated in a Victorian pumping station and showcases the industrial heritage of Sheffield and its role in the Industrial Revolution.
You can explore exhibitions and interactive galleries on steelmaking, metalworking and the history of Sheffield’s industries.
Of course, no visit would be complete without hearing the roar and feeling the rumble of the River Don Engine.
When you’re done, there’s even an onsite cafe to recharge your batteries and grab a bite to eat, or head out and enjoy a drink at one of the many neighbourhood bars.
The best part is, it’s free entry to enter the museum so you don’t have to fork out a ton of your student budget to visit – what a winner!
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Address: Alma St, Sheffield S3 8SA
2. Go For A Drink At The Kelham Island Tavern
It’s no wonder that this Sheffield neighbourhood was voted the best in the UK, with an abundance of quirky boozers to visit whilst studying here.
You’ll want to head on down to The Kelham Island Tavern in the beating heart of this quirky area.
This award winning pub offers a huge array of traditional ales and ciders.
So, no matter your drinking preferences, you can have a few tipples whilst listening to some live music or just enjoying a catch up with your pals.
They even have a leafy beer garden which is an absolute suntrap during the summer months, be sure to check it out and see what you make of it!
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Address: 62 Russell St, Sheffield S3 8RW
3. Grab A Bite To Eat At Craft & Dough
No trip to Kelham Island would be complete without going for a bite to eat at Craft & Dough.
If you’re someone who loves pizza, you’re in luck as this place offers up some amazing artisan pizzas made with fresh dough, as well as hot skillet brunches and hand crafted cocktails.
Don’t worry, everyone can enjoy some great food here as they offer a wide array of options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free options too.
Be sure to try their very own Kelham Island pizza which comes with their signature sauce, fior de latte mozzarella and garnished with fresh basil and a touch of olive oil.
We don’t know about you, but that sounds like heaven, right?
This place is located just a short walk away from the Kelham Island museum, so be sure to check it out for a few drinks and a slice of cheesy goodness!
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Address: 1A Kelham Square, Kelham Island, Sheffield S3 8SD
4. Show Off Your Knowledge At The Fat Cat Pub
There are plenty of things to do in this lively neighbourhood with something for everyone to enjoy.
One of our absolute favourite activities for students is The Fat Cat quiz night.
This real ale pub has a real distinct charm and is the place to be on a Monday night with their weekly pub quiz.
You can show off your knowledge, enjoy an array of cheap drinks to suit your student budget as well as make the most of the delicious food menu if you’re feeling peckish.
They even have an array of craft beers on from Kelham Island Brewery!
Who doesn’t love getting together with their flatmates and getting involved with a quiz? It’s the definition of a good time for us.
If you’re stuck with things to do to kickstart your week in style, head on down – pints are only £1.50 so there’s no excuse.
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Address: 23 Alma St, Sheffield S3 8SA
5. Go Shopping At The Indie Arcade
You can’t shy away from taking a trip around The Indie Arcade whilst exploring this man made island, especially if you love vintage clothing!
Situated on Scotland Road, these indie shopping arcades pride themselves on being purveyors of the weird and wonderful.
You can venture through retro and quirky items from the likes of vintage clothing to jewellery to keyrings to homeware to vinyls.
You never know what you’re going to find here with different stock added everyday.
There’s all sorts of treasures in this indie spot whether you’re wanting a gift for yourself or a friend!
Even if you’re not looking to splash the cash, it’s got such a nice vibe to it.
They’re open from Tuesday-Saturday weekly so make sure to pop in!
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Address: 122 Scotland St, Sheffield S3 7DE
6. Experience Kelham Island Walks
Why not experience a guided tour around Kelham Island and learn more about the industrial architecture?
Walking tours cost just £10 and are led by a local resident and historian, there’s no better way to find out more about Kelham Island!
The only thing is, these guided tours only take place on specific dates and you do need to book in advance to get involved.
However, if you’re wanting to delve right into the history of this historic district, then we’d definitely recommend giving the Kelham Island Walks a go.
If you’re wanting to save some pennies, take a walk round for yourself and explore all that this unique man made island has to offer.
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From the cultural hubs to the quirky shops to the lively bars to delicious eateries and everything in between, you’ll find something for you in Kelham Island.
Plan a day with your friends and take a visit to one of Sheffield’s coolest neighbourhoods!
If you’ve got any recommendations for things to do in Kelham Island, we’d love to hear from you @_homesforstudents.
As a student living in Sheffield, if you’re looking for the best nightlife spots be sure to check out our blog on The 9 Best Nightclubs In Sheffield Revealed.
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