Five scenic Sheffield walks with great coffee spots

Sheffield is known as the ‘Outdoor City’ because of its abundance of green spaces, a mix of topography and dramatic landscape which lends itself to open air pursuits of all kinds. But you don’t have to be super fit to make the most of it—there’s plenty of places for short strolls or half-day hikes.

Here’s our round up of recommended places to walk, what makes them unique and where to visit for refreshments. If you want to learn more about the green places in Sheffield, download the Sheffield Greenground map and start planning your next adventure.

Hillsborough Park & Molly’s

Hillsborough park is one of Sheffield City Council's 13 designated city parks. It has a playground, sports facilities and they host the Park Run every Saturday at 9am. You’ll find the local library just inside the grounds.

The walled garden next to Middlewood Road is one of the park’s hidden gems. The site dates back to the 1770s, believed to have been used to grow fruit and vegetables for Hillsborough Hall. Volunteers now look after the garden and you can visit for free, seven days a week.

After you’ve had a walk in the park, you can call into award-winning Molly's Cafe on Middlewood Road. Their recent awards include best dog friendly cafe from Dog Friendly Sheffield and the Restaurant Guru award for customer service.

Try their amazing house blend coffee with a homemade cake or savoury pastry from their tempting selection, which includes Molly's ‘Not So Scotch’ Scotch eggs—Cadbury’s creme egg rolled in brownie, dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in Biscoff crumb(!)

If you’re out on a weekend walk, you could treat yourself to one of their hot boozy drinks which they match with their coffee. Anyone for a hot Martini Espresso or a spiced rum espresso?

Honorable mention: Under the stewardship of Age UK Sheffield, the Grade II-listed Coach House building in Hillsborough Park has undergone a significant refurbishment and part of it is now open as a café. It’s Depot Bakery’s second venue in the city and they will be open seven days a week, 8am to 5pm. Dogs are welcome, and there are vegan and dairy-free dishes, and a kids' menu.

Bole Hills & Gypsy Brew

Bolehills recreation park near Crookes boasts the city’s finest BMX track and some of the greatest panoramic views out towards Stannington and Loxley.

I might be biased because it’s my local dog walking destination, but I’m certainly not the only one who appreciates this spot. It’s a popular place for people to gather and watch the sunset and there are plenty of benches to take in the sunshine, hot drink in hand.

On Friday-Sunday, 10-4pm near Northfield Road, you’ll find Gypsy’s Brew trading from their converted Citroen HY van.

Named after their cavapoo pup Gypsy Rose Lee, the venture was born out of a lockdown love story when the couple fell in love as neighbours and decided to start their business.

They offer Darkwoods specialty coffee and vegan cakes and bakes from local bakers The Suited Baker and Little Town Pantry.

Gypsy Brew also run a ‘pay it forward’ scheme, so you buy an extra cup of coffee or a cake and it’s held for someone who needs it. If you know anyone who’d benefit from the scheme, spread the word.

Bingham Park & Motore Cafe

Bingham Park forms part of a line of open spaces running alongside the River Porter known as the Porter Valley parks.

If you want a longer walk you can go into Endcliffe Park by crossing Rustlings Road, or onto Whiteley Woods and Forge Dam. Endcliffe Park is the starting point of the 15-mile Sheffield Round Walk, which you can easily split into shorter chunks.

For an insight into Sheffield’s cutlery and knife-grinding heritage, Shepherds Wheel in Whiteley Woods is well worth a visit. It’s open every weekend and bank holiday and entry is free. The water wheel was restored in 2012 and it's looked after by Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, who also own Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Kelham Island Museum.

For refreshments after exploring the park, you can call at the Motore cafe van. They are onsite every day except Tuesdays, 8.30am to 4pm.

Motore are passionate about coffee and they use Darkwoods Crowtree roast. Their cannolis are a great small treat and the patas cro natas—Portuguese custard tarts made with croissant pastry—are very popular, with good reason.

They also serve croissants, almond croissants, danishes, pain au chocolate, cinnamon swirl pastries, flapjacks and bakewells cakes.

Weston Park & Chapter One

Weston Park is a scenic spot near Broomhill which is home to Weston Park Museum.

The grounds were once owned by Thomas Harrison, a respected sawmaker. The area was later acquired by Sheffield City Council and they commissioned Robert Marnock, a leading garden designer of the 19th century who also designed the Botanical Gardens, to create the park.

Weston Park Museum is free to visit and it has some great exhibitions showcasing our city's social history. You’ll also find the Weston Park weather station there, one of the oldest weather recording stations in the country.

From the park you can easily make a trip to either Crookes Valley Park or Ponderosa, with its distinctive gateway entrance of carved telegraph poles.

Afterwards you can call at the Chapter One Coffee, a family-run coffee shop trading from a converted horse box affectionately known as Hugo. They are open every day, 8.30am to 4pm (10.30am to 4pm on weekends).

Running their own coffee shop at Weston Park has been a dream for them, as the park became a place close to their hearts after spending time there whilst a close relative was having treatment at the nearby Weston Park Hospital.

Chapter One supports local independents so you’ll find Smith Street Coffee and Batch Tea Company there, together with sweet treats from 4eyespatisserie and Little Town Pantry. If you’re looking for some handpicked tunes to enjoy with your coffee, check out their Sheffield-themed Spotify playlist.

Ecclesall Woods & the Woodland Coffee Stop

Ecclesall Woods is the largest ancient semi-natural woodland in South Yorkshire and it was central to Sheffield’s industrial development. Charcoal made here was used for smelting iron (1600-1800s) and the woods were a plantation to meet the demand for large timber in the 19th century.

In 1927, the woods were bought from Earl Fitzwilliam by the Sheffield Corporation, with help from local businessman and philanthropist J. G. Graves, for use as a recreational space.

Throughout the seasons you can enjoy the changing landscape of the woodland by following the well signposted walking routes through the woods or sign up for a wellbeing walk. From mid-April make sure you look out for lovely displays of bluebells.

For refreshments you can go to the Woodland Coffee Stop at the J G Graves Discovery Centre. They are open every day except Monday, 10am to 4pm.

It’s a popular stop for dog walkers, cyclists, ramblers, families and anyone who loves the outdoors, great coffee and cake.

You can enjoy a delicious range of homemade cakes and hot and cold refreshments there, including coffee from Forge Coffee Roasters, sandwiches and toasties which you can eat in the outdoor seating area or take away.

Other places to seek out

Cholera monument grounds & South Street Kitchen

From Sheffield train station you can walk up to the Cholera Monument grounds and find the memorial to the Sheffield citizens who died during the cholera outbreak of 1832. It's a vantage point with some fantastic views of Sheffield. There are grounds to explore including a small woodland known as Clay Wood and you can extend the walk by heading towards Norfolk Park.

South Street Kitchen at Park Hill is the ideal place to stop after your walk for a cuppa or brunch. They offer a Middle-Eastern inspired menu and they are open seven days a week, 10am to 4pm.

Five Weirs Walk & Gaard

The 7.5km Five Weirs walk can be joined at different points in Sheffield and you can do smaller sections. There’s the opportunity to learn more about Sheffield’s industrial past from information boards along the route and the Sheffield-Tinsley canal towpath.

If you end your walk near Burton Road, make sure you call in at vegan cafe Gaard, open seven days a week.

They are dog friendly and have delicious cakes and bakes which go perfectly with a tea or coffee. If you want a healthier choice, there’s smoothies and vibrant salads on offer.

Meersbrook Park & Kopi and Chai

Meersbrook Park is worth the trip for the stunning panoramic views across the city centre and beyond.

Take a look inside Bishops House, a museum which was originally a Yeoman’s cottage built in the 16th century. It sits within the park just off Norton Lees Lane and showcases the lives of its former inhabitants. It’s open on weekends and entry is free.

Nearby you’ll find family-friendly Kopi and Chai, a laid-back cafe with a welcoming vibe. It's an ideal place to drop into for a hot drink, fresh bakes or a veggie brunch. Open everyday, 9am to 4pm (10am to 4pm on Sundays).