Contrary to the Arctic Monkeys lyric, there is loads of romance around here. Here’s my guide to romantic places in Sheffield.
Looking for romantic places to go in Sheffield? Planning a first date in the Steel City? A quick internet search will suggest going for a picnic in the countryside, visiting the free exhibitions at the Millennium Gallery or having a walk around the Botanical Gardens...
…which aren’t bad ideas, per se, but they’re not that inspiring. They’re all days out that parents might use to entertain their kids during half term, but I wouldn’t call them inherently romantic.
So, were the Arctic Monkeys right when they said “There ain’t no romance around here”?
I don’t think so!
In fact – I know for a fact that this isn’t true. As a Sheffield wedding celebrant, I work closely with couples to create their one-of-a-kind ceremony, and part of this is getting to know them, their stories, and how they got to where they are today, planning a mega-exciting Sheffield wedding.
This means I hear stories all the time that make my heart swoon (I know, I know, it’s a hard life, but someone has to do it!) – beautiful, ridiculous and outrageously romantic tales, situated in the locations that are central to their lives as individuals and as a couple.
It could be the old-man-pub where they shared their first kiss, the epic scenery they got to see when they stomped up one of our famous hills together, the late-night takeaway where they realised they were more than friends, the canal path where they hid from their mates before they were officially dating… There are so many places in our city that mean a lot to people.
I’d love to know from more of the wonderful people of Sheffield about the places that are romantic TO YOU, because of the moments you’ve shared there and the memories you made together.
But first, I can’t expect you to share your core moments without sharing some of mine, can I?
Romantic places in Sheffield according to me, a Sheffield wedding celebrant
The Bolehills
This place is bang in the heart of the University of Sheffield student ghetto, also known as Crookes. Chances are that if you were a student in Sheffield, specifically at “Uni of”, you probably visited the Bolehills once or twice just by virtue of living around the corner in a mouldy student house, if nothing else.
The reason that The Bolehills is a romantic place in Sheffield to me (and Mr Senior obvs) is that it’s quite possibly the place we fell in love. It’s not that easy for us to pinpoint falling in love with great accuracy, because we were friends for years before we got together, and so our feelings sort of snuck up on us. It was a genuine surprise to me when I realised I was in love with my friend John!
Even if we don’t know exactly when it happened, The Bolehills are certainly a central location in our life story. This is the place where, after a big night out, we sat on a bench together and watched the sky get bright – sort of witnessing the sunrise, but mostly having somewhere to talk non-stop without disturbing housemates. The views across Stannington and the old ski slope will always remind me of the early days of our relationship, when we cared more about talking all night than we did about sleep.
The Harley
You might think The Harley is an incredibly dodgy late night pub at the top of Sheffield’s equally dodgy nightlife strip, West Street. And, honestly: you’d be right!
But it’s also the place where I spent many nights of my early twenties. More often than not I was there with my beloved (then boyfriend, now) husband of more than ten years, Mr Senior.
Those grimy walls and floors housed some of my happiest (and, admittedly vaguest, thanks to gin and apple juice) memories, dancing to The Prodigy and Chase and Status being played over the speakers. For that reason, I am officially declaring it a romantic place in Sheffield. The defence rests, your honour!
Lantern Theatre
Unlike my other two entries to the “romantic places of Sheffield” list, this place is less well known to students: a little community-run theatre nestled in the relative suburbia of Netheredge.
Mr Senior and I had our wedding ceremony on the stage at the Lantern Theatre. Complete with an aisle to walk along, it had all the drama of a church wedding without the religious bits, which is exactly what we wanted. Neither of us is shy of being the centre of attention (hardly surprising that I’ve since made my job standing at the front of weddings!) and this gave us such a beautiful backdrop.
It's the place we first shared our vows, and where we committed to each other in front of all the people we loved the most.
So there you have it: no offence, Alex Turner, but there’s loads of romance around here.
Where are your romantic places in Sheffield?
And now: over to you. Did you fall in love in the Steel City? I’d love to post a follow-up blog to this with all of your romantic places in Sheffield, to share the love far and wide.
So my lovelies, to get involved contact me with your places, your stories, your love letters to the city – I would love to hear them!
Finally if you need someone to marry you and you beloved in a romantic Sheffield spot, you know I'd love to help. Send me a message and we can create a ceremony that reflects the two of you in all your glory.