In the first part of our city feature on Sheffield, we asked Cameron Harvey, one of our team in Central Quay, why you should choose Central Quay and Kelham Island as your student home.

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About Sheffield:

Sheffield may be built on a heritage of manufacturing steel but, today, it’s every part the student city. Foundries, mills and forges have given way to centres for learning and a lively, independent social scene. And with the stunning Peak District just next door, few large cities balance urban and rural so perfectly. Check out part two of our city focus, for the low down on things to see and do in and around Sheffield.

Sheffield Hallam University describe student life in Sheffield best:

“Sheffield is friendly, creative and scenic – and best of all, it’s surprisingly cheap. Sheffield’s cost of living is well below the national average, and thanks to the 60,000-strong student community you’ll find discounts around every corner. Which makes it all the easier to explore our unique mix of city life and green space. The great thing about studying in Sheffield is that the city is geared towards you. From the shops to the student bars and everything in between, you’ll find something for you.”

A few typical costs:

• Inexpensive Restaurant: £10.00 – £15.00
• Takeout Coffee: £1.70 – £3.00
• Bottle of Coke: £0.70 – £1.50
• Pint of milk: £0.50 – £1.00
• Loaf of Bread: £0.62 – £1.25
• Pint of beer at a restaurant/pub: £3.00
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: £4.00 – £8.00
• Cinema ticket: £9.00

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About Central Quay:

In the middle of Kelham Island, you’ll find Central Quay. Our student accommodation is perfectly placed for studying at both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. And you won’t need to worry about your fridge being empty as your food shop is covered with a supermarket located right next door. When it’s time to relax, you can unwind in the large common areas, play pool with friends, keep fit at the on-site gym and relax with riverside views of the River Don.

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Getting around Sheffield:

There are many different transport options in and out of the city, within Sheffield. Trams flow through the city centre, as well as cheap taxi’s, Uber’s and buses.

Sheffield railway station provides direct links to Scotland and the South of England. Students can use the cheap tram and bus services to travel outside of the city to popular destinations such as, Meadowhall (a large shopping complex with cinema and food hall), Don valley Centertainment (a retail park with Cineworld, bowling, adventure golf and restaurants, as well as the FlyDSA Arena (a large arena used for major live performances and home to the Ice hockey team Sheffield Steelers).

Both Sheffield Hallam and The University of Sheffield are easily accessible from Kelham Island, with Hallam being a short 15-20-minute walk and Uni of a 20-25 minute walk, with the option to catch the tram and cut the time by ten minutes.

Travel costs:

• Adult Single – Stagecoach bus – £2.10
• Adult Single – Supertram – Short distance single – £1.90 (return £3.20) | Long distance single £2.60)
• Student Supertram dayrider – £3.80
• One day Adult ticket for bus and tram – £8.50
• Monthly student season ticket for bus and tram – £43.00
• Price of a taxi – £3.50 (start fee) and £1.07 (per km)

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Food and Drinks:

Kelham island is rapidly becoming the go to spot for students and professionals alike.  What was once a small island, home to the industrial heart of Sheffield, is now a sought-after location voted the best neighbourhood in the UK and Ireland.

Here in Kelham, there’s an array of local bars, cafes and restaurants, with one of the most popular being Cutlery Works. This phenomenal food market is the largest independent food hall within the north of England and offers a huge variety of different foods (international, vegan, vegetarian etc.) and drinks, catering to everyone.

If you’re an ardent foodie, it gets better! Kelham Island features another mouth-watering experience two day’s a month at Peddler market. Opening its doors on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, Peddler market hosts award winning food, drinks and live music. Peddler market is a truly fantastic and unique experience that should not be missed by anyone living in Sheffield. Whether you’re heading in solo or in a group, Peddler market is sure to make your weekend memorable. Amongst the great food, there is also a wide range of affordable bars and cafés, perfect for days out with friends or simply to relax and unwind by yourself. (Make sure to check out part 2 of our city feature on Sheffield for the full low down on the Cutlery Works and Peddler market.)

A personal favourite of mine, that is a must-go to is INC rooftop bar. This sophisticated, open top bar serves a wide variety of cocktails and spirits and is sure to offer you and your friends a different experience compared to any of the bars you will find within the city centre.

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Music and Nights out.

The eclectic districts boast some of the best music venues in Sheffield.

The 02 Arena, The Leadmill, The Mulberry tavern and corporation, are just a few music venues within the city centre offering different genres of music to students until the early hours of the morning. Whilst the city centre hosts many music venues, Kelham island only has a few.

But don’t let this throw you off – what Kelham Island lacks in numbers, makes up for it with the experience it delivers. Yellow arches studio is one music venue within this industrial steel district that is famous throughout Sheffield and the surrounding areas, known famously as being the birthplace of the Artic Monkeys. Listed within the Guardian as one of the top 5 places to go on a night out, Yellow arches constantly has events on throughout each month, consisting of open mic’s, live gigs and raves. Serving cheap, affordable drinks and open until the early hours of the morning, this venue is perfect for a memorable student night out with friends.

Another notorious music venue within the surrounding area of Kelham island is the infamous Night Kitchen. Extremely popular with students, this venue hosts raves throughout the year, with events commonly lasting until 6AM. This truly unique venue serves cheap drinks and long-lasting live music, making this underground music club a go-to for any student who enjoys the more alternative-techno genre.

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So why Kelham?

With everything listed above, it is still difficult to put into words how great it is to live within a diverse and popular area that is quickly becoming one of Sheffield’s most promising urban areas. Attractions, previously mentioned, within Kelham are just a small proportion of what Kelham Island has to offer.

This small but growing area could easily be picked up and placed in one of London’s more chic and desired postcodes.

Studying in Sheffield in September 2020? Booking’s for Central Quay open soon! Get in touch with the team at Central Quay or check back soon for more information.