The History of Sheffield: From Origins to Modern Day (and Why I'm Still Here)

okay, so, Sheffield. Where do I even begin? It’s been… a ride. I’m a botanist, you see, and I came here thinking I’d find some rare moss or something. Turns out, the most interesting thing about Sheffield is its story. It’s not exactly postcard-perfect, but that’s what I dig about it. The sky’s been doing this weird thing all week - a sort of bruised purple, like someone dropped a plum. My neighbor, Brenda, says it’s a sign of rain, but she also thinks pigeons are government drones, so… grain of salt.

It wasn't always this… urban. Like, way back, before even the Romans showed up, there were Celtic tribes kicking around. Then, the Romans, naturally, built a fort - Hallam Castle, near Ecclesall Woods. Not much left of it now, just some stones and a lot of sheep. But it’s a start, right? Then, the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings… the usual suspects.

But Sheffield really started to cook with the discovery of iron ore. Seriously, this place was built on steel. It’s in the blood, you know? The whole industrial revolution thing? Sheffield was right there, churning out knives, tools, everything. It was a proper boomtown. I overheard a bloke in the pub saying his grandad worked in Firth Brown’s steelworks - apparently, it was brutal, long hours, dangerous conditions. But it paid the bills.

*Kelham Island Museum is a must-see if you want to get a feel for that era. It’s got all these old machines and stuff. It’s a bit… clangy, but fascinating.

Then, the decline. Steel industry started to tank, jobs disappeared, and Sheffield went through a rough patch. It’s been trying to reinvent itself ever since. There’s a lot of art, a lot of music, a lot of people trying to make something new. It’s got this gritty, resilient vibe.

Speaking of reinventing, the job market here is… tricky. I’ve been looking for botany-related work, and it’s slim pickings. Apparently, there’s a decent demand for digital marketing, though. Someone told me you can pull in around £30,000 - £35,000 a year if you’re any good. Rent’s not insane compared to London, but it’s creeping up. You’re looking at £700-£900 a month for a decent flat, depending on the area. I’m sharing a house in Hillsborough with a graphic designer and a dog who sheds everywhere. It’s… cozy.

Meadowhall* is a massive shopping centre. It’s… a lot. I went once. Never again. Unless I need new socks.

I’ve been trying to find some decent green spaces for my research. Endcliffe Park is alright, but it’s mostly grass. I heard rumors about a hidden woodland area near Redmires Reservoir - apparently, it’s full of rare ferns. I’m going to check it out this weekend.

Here's a little data table I cobbled together, just to give you the lowdown:

Someone at the pub warned me about the traffic around the M1. Apparently, it’s a nightmare during rush hour. Avoid it if you can.

I’ve been busking in the city centre on weekends - mostly playing my ukulele and singing about plants. It’s not exactly lucrative, but it’s fun. I’ve even made a few friends. There’s a really cool street art scene here too. Check out the murals around Kelham Island. TripAdvisor - Sheffield Street Art has some good spots listed.

I’m thinking of joining a local botany group. Apparently, they do field trips to some pretty interesting places. Sheffield & District Botany Society - sounds promising. I also found this interesting thread on the Sheffield subreddit about local foraging spots. Sheffield Subreddit - Foraging

Honestly, Sheffield isn’t flashy. It’s not going to wow you with its beauty. But it’s got character. It’s got history. It’s got a weird, wonderful energy. And the people are… well, they’re Sheffielders. They’re tough, they’re resilient, and they’ll tell you exactly what they think. I’m starting to like it here. Even with the bruised purple sky and Brenda’s pigeon conspiracy theories.

Oh, and Yelp says The Milestone is a decent pub for a pint. Drunk advice: get the gravy boat. Trust me.

I'm only a short flight away from Amsterdam, which is nice for a quick escape when the rain gets too much.

And finally, if you're looking for something a little different, check out Yelp - Unusual Sheffield - apparently, there’s a secret underground network of tunnels… spooky!