Literary places in Sheffield

Creative Tourist

With live literature events and independent poetry presses, there are many literary places scattered about the city of Sheffield.

Sheffield, like Rome, is built on seven hills, so it follows that Sheffield, like Rome, attracts a poet or two. For the modern-day Keatses and Shelleys, there are plenty of literary places in Sheffield. There are live events to pop along to and perform at, and more independent poetry presses than you can shake a stick at. Three Drops Press and The Poetry Business, publishers of the Poet Laureate’s annual Choice series, were both founded in Sheffield.

Modest in size, La Biblioteka is more than just a top-notch bookshop – the upstairs boasts some of the city’s most popular live literary events. Additionally, you’ll find regular book launches and a monthly open mic night over in the cosy and welcoming ‘hub in a pub’, the Gardeners Rest. You’ll also find top-quality literature and spoken word events happening in the Theatre Deli on Eyre Street.

Sheffield is the proud home to Off the Shelf, one of the largest literary festivals in the UK, attracting some of the most prolific names in literature and media to Sheffield every year. And bookshop Rhyme & Reason are the official booksellers for the festival, as well as being dab hands at ordering in those tricky to find publications.

Carol Ann might be based in one of the Rainy City’s seats of learning, but over in the Steel City, there’s always plenty going on at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University too.

Our top picks

La Biblioteka

La Biblioteka, Kommune, Castle House, Sheffield, S3 8LN - Visit now

It doesn’t just sell books – the upstairs room also plays host to some bulging-at-the-seams live literature shindigs, including the regular Electric Arc Furnace poetry reading series, which showcases innovative guest poets from the South Yorkshire hinterlands as well as rather more further-flung destinations.

La Biblioteka
La Biblioteka

Centre for Poetry and Poetics at University of Sheffield

Centre for Poetry and Poetics at University of Sheffield, Jessop West 1 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield, S3 7RA - Visit now

Run out of the University of Sheffield, the CPP is a hotbed of research that also aims to make and promote writing, symposia, conversations and readings welcome to all. Keep tabs on the centre’s Facebook page for up-to-the-minute details on events, including visiting guests from as far afield as across the pond.

University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield

Gardeners Rest

Gardeners Rest, 105 Neepsend Lane, Sheffield, S3 8AT - Visit now

This independent, community-run hub in a pub has all kinds of cosy, welcoming events, including craft beer festivals and live jazz nights, plus regular book launches and the monthly open mic night Gorilla Poetry, which takes place every third Monday, and is free and open to all (and not just poets!).

Gardeners Rest

Rhyme & Reason

Rhyme & Reason, 681 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TG - Visit now

Official booksellers of the Off the Shelf literature festival, indie bookshop Rhyme & Reason can be spotted at other events around the city, and in their own bricks and mortar premises, where you’ll find fiction, non-fiction, poetry and kids’ stuff/YA. Forget online – shop local; they’ll order anything you fancy.

 

rhyme & reason bookshop
Rhyme & Reason

Theatre Delicatessen Sheffield

Theatre Delicatessen Sheffield, Denby Suite, Cuthbert House, Arley Street, , Sheffield, S2 4QP - Visit now

You’ll find a top-quality literature event or two to make a beeline for at multi-arts venue Theatre Deli. Home to feminist arts collective Verse Matters’ bi-monthly platforms for poetry, spoken word, storytelling and more, it also sees regular events and workshops from the likes of Yorkshire-based literature organisation Word Life.

Theatre Deli Sheffield Arley Street
Image courtesy of Nicole Rose Munhawa/ Theatre Deli.

Sheffield Visitor Guides

Shopping in Sheffield
Shopping in Sheffield

Whether you’re looking for vinyl records or top class chocolate, Sheffield’s independent shops are here to serve – here’s our selection, from the legendary to the eclectic.

Winter Gardens, Sheffield
Walks in Sheffield

A round-up of the best walks in Sheffield, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

Restaurants in Sheffield
Restaurants in Sheffield

From artisanal coffee in industrial-chic cafes to burritos that can resurrect you post night out, the restaurants in Sheffield have got it all.

The Alfred Denny Museum, courtesy of the University of Sheffield. Museums in Sheffield
Museums in Sheffield

Sheffield has more than its fair share of weird and wonderful museums housed within its seven hills. Check out our favourites.

Cinemas in Sheffield Photographer: Scott Hukins ©
Cinemas in Sheffield

Cinemas in Sheffield cater for all tastes, with arthouse venues sitting happily alongside big multiplex screens – including one of only two IMAX with laser projection screens in the country.

Art Galleries in Sheffield
Art Galleries in Sheffield

A contender for the UK's largest practicing community of artists and designers outside London – there's a pretty impressive number of top art galleries in Sheffield.

Music Venues in Sheffield.
Music Venues in Sheffield

With a strong and diverse musical heritage, you'll find many music venues, appeasing different tastes, in the city of Sheffield.

Discover Buxton Character Tours
Guided Tours in Buxton

Who doesn’t love a good guided tour? With Buxton’s rich history, it has them aplenty, offering a quick way to get to grips with the spa town.

Crucible Theatre Sheffield
Theatres in Sheffield

Sheffield is home to the world-famous Crucible, the W R G Sprague built Lyceum and Sheffield's home for the avant-garde, the Theatre Delicatessen.

Tasting Menus in The North

Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.

Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.