The Best Parks around Sheffield

Sheffield in South Yorkshire is one of the greenest cities in the UK and Europe. It’s built on 7 hills, bordered by the Peak District and home to over 250 public parks. I love my home city, I defend it to everyone. It may not be Leeds, which has made more of a name for itself over recent years, but it will forever be green and beautiful. We love to get out and about and get some fresh air. Here are my favourite and in my opinion best parks around Sheffield.

Graves Park

Hemsworth Rd
Sheffield
S8 8LJ

One of my favourite places in the whole world. I was lucky enough to spend my childhood visiting the beautiful park, and now even luckier to be able to bring my children here. It’s a great place to spend a few hours or all day. There’s an animal farm which is home to chickens, ducks, pigs, alpacas, cows, sheep and goats plus a few others. Aside from the Animal park, there’s the lovely Rose Garden Cafe which has recently been completely renovated. They serve drinks, ice creams and home-cooked food.

The grounds themselves are big and a great place for a good walk and there’s a massive play area for the kids. Conveniently the play area is just by the Cafe so you can grab a coffee and watch the kids burn off some energy.There are toilets available and there’s a car park which is chargeable. The car park is quite small though so in busier times you might need to park on the side of the road or find an alternative car park.

Rother Valley Country Park

Mansfield Rd
Sheffield
S26 5PQ

Lucky for me, this place is right on my doorstep. I adore a visit to Rother Valley. Situated right on the Sheffield/Rotherham/North East Derbyshire border, it’s very easy to get to. Set on 750 acres and built around 3 lakes, there is so much green space in Rother Valley Country Park. There’s so much to do too, there’s bike hire available, a watersports centre where you can try your hand at various watersports such as Kayaking and SUPs. In the summer there is a big inflatable course in the water which is great fun. There’s a cafe and craft shops too.

There is a new waterfront development currently in progress that will house a new cafe and indoor function space overlooking the water. This is due to open in 2025 – I’m really looking forward to seeing it. There is plenty of parking available now, this is charged by the hour. There is also a caravan and campsite next to the Rother Valley for anyone who wants to stay longer than a day.

Millhouses Park

Abbeydale Rd
Sheffield
S17 3LA

Millhouses Park has been a firm favourite with us, especially since we’ve had children. It’s a really lovely park, not too far from the city centre. It’s a beautiful park with a great play area for the kids. At the centre is a boating lake which is open April-October. There is also outdoor gym equipment, a bike track, a water splash play pond, a zip line, a climbing wall, a skate park, tennis courts and a bowling green! There’s loads to do, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic or a bite to eat from the cafe.

On the practical side, there are public toilets available and parking is pay and display off Abbydale Road South.

Rivelin Valley Park

Rivelin Park Rd
Sheffield
S6 5GL

Rivelin Valley Park is so good. The play area and cafe are brilliant and open all year. In the summer there is a splash park that is very popular. Once the kids have had a play and you’ve grabbed a coffee, the walk-in Rivelin Valley is really nice. The streams and stepping stones make it really beautiful. It’s a great day out. Of all the parks around Sheffield, I think that Rivelin Valley Park is the prettiest walk. You really feel like you’re out in the countryside

Parking is mostly pay and display by the roadside.

Clumber Park

Clumber Park
Worksop
S80 3AZ

Situated on the outskirts of Worksop, the Clumber Park estate is owned by the National Trust. This is probably one of the most well-known Parks around Sheffield. It’s a lovely day out for everyone. There are 3,800 acres to explore. Lots of bike routes and walking trails, places to stop and grab a drink or a bite to eat and all situated around the stunning Serpentine Lake. Accessible for everyone.

Parking on-site is available including electric charging points. If you are a National Trust member, entry is free, if not there is a charge which is listed on the National Trust Website.

Endcliffe Park

Rustlings Rd
Sheffield
S11 7AB

Endcliffe Park is easy to reach from the centre of Sheffield. Towards the top of Ecclesall Road and Sharrowvale Road, it’s a great place to visit especially if you are relying on public transport from the city. Comprising parkland and woodland, it is the first in a series of parks and green spaces, known collectively as Porter Valley Parks, all of which lie along the course of Porter Brook. The park has duck ponds, riverside walks and plenty of space for ball games. ​There’s also a large children’s playground, parkour facility and a cafe.

Endcliffe Park is also home to the Mi Amigo War Memorial, it marks the crash site of the US Airforce B-17 Flying Fortress bomber that crashed in February 1944.

Crookes Valley

Old Great Dam
Sheffield
S10 2TU

Another very easy to reach from the City centre Park. Crookes Valley is right next to Weston Park and Ponderosa Park so you can have the choice of one or even all 3 parks in a day. It’s set around the beautiful lake in gorgeous grounds. Visit the Damhouse Bar and Restaurant for good food and drinks – it’s so much more than the usual cafes in Parks. If you are in the city centre this is one of the best parks around Sheffield to walk to.

Parking is on the streets nearby as there is no car park dedicated to Crookes Valley Park.

Poolsbrook Park

Poolsbrook
Staveley
Chesterfield
S43 3LH

Technically Chesterfield, but easy to reach from Sheffield, Poolsbrook Park is a great place to visit. This is high on my list of best parks around Sheffield as it’s always so relaxed. The lake is the centrepiece with fishing and opportunities to feed the ducks, it’s a lovely relaxed stroll around. There is a great play area for the kids too, plenty of benches to stop and enjoy the park and the all-important cafe.

On-site parking is free, there’s an overspill carpark too, but I’ve never had a problem parking no matter the day.

Cliffe Park

Callywhite Ln
Dronfield
S18 2XP

Cliffe Park in Dronfield is a bit of a hidden gem. Growing up with my Nan living in Dronfield, I loved a visit to the Park when I went to her house. The play area here is really good for children of all ages. My kid’s particular favourites are the “giant slide” and the sand pit. There is also a bowling green, tennis courts and lots of flat green space to play football and picnic. The cafe is really lovely and it’s very accessible by wheelchair or pushchair.

Parking is free here but the car park isn’t very big, you may need to park down the road.

Thanks for reading my post about parks around Sheffield! I’d love to hear about your favourite green spaces in the city – have you visited any of these parks, or do you have others to recommend? Share your favourite park memories or suggestions in the comments below!

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Becky x