Christmas is fast approaching, and for those looking for a unique stay in the Steel City, there's plenty to get you in the festive spirit.
From hotel stays to afternoon teas and where to spend Christmas Day without the washing up, we've got you covered...
Where to stay
Image: Supplied
Halifax Hall offers the perfect escape from the bustle of city life but still just moments from quaint cafes and food spots in Sheffield.
The boutique hotel has 38 bedrooms, including three suites and two accessible rooms, all with 100% Egyptian cotton linen, free Wi-Fi, luxurious robes and complimentary Noble Isle toiletries.
There's a selection of room sizes to suit all adventures into the Steel City. From twin, double and executive suites to family rooms, and the team are always available for queries about big groups or any additional requirements you might have for your stay.
Location-wise, you're a ten minute drive from the heart of the city, with close access to Eccy Road, Sheffield Botanical Garden and local hospitals, so regardless of your need to visit Sheffield, there's plenty to access within close walking distance.
Throughout the festive period,Halifax Hallwill host a range of Christmas Dinner options, including exclusive use of the private dining room for those wanting to celebrate with a formal meal, and a Wreath Making Class for those looking to unleash their inner creative whilst tucking into hand-picked afternoon tea favourites.
Food and Drink
Image: Supplied
Even Christmas Dinner is available fromHalifax Hall, so when the big day does roll around, you don't have to leave your boutique staycation to enjoy a festive feast.
Naturally there's everything you'd expect from a turkey dinner, but there's plenty of additional options for those with dietary requirements or who just fancy something a little different this year.
Think curried crab and mango salad; twice baked Comte cheese soufflé or red pepper and sun blush tomato to start with before tucking into a roast turkey crown, Sirloin of grass-fed Yorkshire beef, field mushroom and spinach Tian or pan roast Salmon fillet for the main course. Served with braised and lightly pickled spiced red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, maple roasted parsnips, carrots, sprouts and Yorkshire puds, this is a true festive feast.
Image: Supplied
There's sweet treats aplenty to finish off the remaining courses too. Expect classic Christmas puddings with brandy, as well as glazed lemon tart, Bullion chocolate pudding trifle and a full board of Yorkshire cheeses, pickles and chutneys, served with a glass of Port.
The marshmallow jar is open for those craving something sweet with a cuppa too - this really promises to be a Christmas Day meal that leaves you stuffed to the brim.
Leading up to Christmas Day itself, there's alternative Christmas lunch and dinner menus served inside private dining rooms within Halifax Hall - perfect for an office get together before breaking up for the holidays.
Plus, a Festive Afternoon Tea for those wanting to wine and dine in an alternative setting. Expect finger sandwiches like turkey and cranberry; mature cheese and chutney or roast carvery ham and cherry tomato, as well as mini goat's cheese tarts, pistachio macarons and mini mince pies.
If you're looking for somewhere closer to the SU, INOX on Durham Road plans to host a huge Christmas menu with similar menus to Halifax Hall offered throughout the festive period.
Events
On Sunday 3 December, Halifax Hall will be collaborating with Bloom Sheffield to bring a special one-off Wreath Making Class to Sheffield. Start the morning learning about the intricacies of making your very own wreath, and once you've created your masterpiece to take home with you, tuck into an indulgent afternoon tea, with items hand-picked by the chefs.
Tickets cost £60 each and are available on the Halifax Hall website here.
There will also be a Festive Evening with Joe Berry, Master Chef of Great Britain at INOX on Sunday 25 November where guests are invited to celebrate the Christmas season with a true feast.
Tickets cost £90 each and include a welcome drink as well as a specially paired wine flight.
And the best part is, you're invited to it all. Regardless of whether you're a student at the University of Sheffield or not.
Cambridge Street Collective is unlike any food hall you've seen before, and luckily for us it's just a short train ride away in Sheffield.
If you're looking to get out of the city this summer, then we have the perfect day out for you.
And that's because our wonderful nearby city of Sheffield has just become home to Europe's biggest purpose-built food hall, and it is absolutely mega.
Cambridge Street Collective is a spectacular 29,000 square foot venue that can seat a whopping 1,200 visitors, showcasing food from across the globe.
Images: The Sheff
But it's not just about the food, the masterminds behind the new opening have seriously thought of everything.
From a floating stage that hosts live music to a Japanese-themed cocktail bar with a rooftop overlooking the city, you could easily spend hours in here exploring.
But now, onto the food.
Images: The Sheff
Malaysian dosas, Ethiopian cuisine, Detroit pizzas, Mexica tacos, the list goes on - you can take your tastebuds from one corner of the globe to another all under one roof.
There's also an entire room dedicated to traditional dim sum, a kitted out cookery school and a build your own hot pot station.
Drinks wise there are four bars serving cocktails, craft ales and everything in between, three rooftop terraces and a specialist Japanese drinking den serving highballs and whiskey.
Images: The Sheff
And it still doesn't stop there, there's a Korean photo booth and even a sand pit for the kids to play in whilst you enjoy.
Not only is it a great spot to relax with friends and enjoy some food and drink, but it's also a top place to work in during the day alongside likeminded people.
Unlimited coffee for £6? You can't say no to that.
Images: The Sheff
They're open seven days a week, and we assure you it's well worth the 50 minute train over from Leeds.
Yorkshire has been named in top places to live in the UK for first time buyers
Sophie Smith
If you're looking to buy a house this year - this might be some welcoming news.
The Co-operative Bank has revealed the most affordable places to buy a house in the UK and three major Yorkshire cities have made it to the top six.
Both Sheffield and Leeds have average house prices lower than the national average (which is now £264,400 as of December 2023, according to Zoopla), and were thought to be the fifth and sixth best cities for first time buyers.
To find out the best cities for first time buyers, The Co-operative Bank made a list of the 30 most populated cities in the UK. Each city was then scored and ranked according to a range of metrics, including:
Average house price
Average conveyancing costs
Average surveying costs
Average stamp duty costs
Crime safety index score
Traffic index score
Life satisfaction score
This found that both Sheffield and Leeds had a similar crime safety index score of around 43, placing them between Plymouth and Stoke-on-Trent, but when it came to traffic, Leeds was 32 points higher than its South Yorkshire comparison.
House prices differ slightly: £222,570 is the average in Sheffield and £246,026 in Leeds, and both placed a life satisfaction score of 7.3-7.5/10.
Leeds is ranked the sixth best city. / Images: Unsplash
Sheffield is ranked the fifth top place for first time buyers.
London is unsurprisingly the most expensive city for first time buyers in the UK, with the total average spend adding up to a huge £547,560. Bristol is the second-most expensive city (£353,033), followed by Edinburgh (£346,293), Reading (£332,283) and Southend-on-Sea (£327,729).
At the other end of the scale, another Yorkshire city can be found when solely comparing house prices. Kingston upon Hull was found to be the second-most affordable spot, offering a total cost of £140,814 around £5,000 less than, Blackpool with a total average price of £135,995 (including additional costs like conveyancing).
Sophie Smith -
15th November 2023 
