Sheffield, which George Orwell once called “the ugliest town in the Old World,” is now Yorkshire’s brainy, prosperous hub. The “monstrous chimneys pouring forth smoke” that he scorned are gone. Instead, you’ll find glassy university centres, myriad green spaces, and some of the cleanest air in Europe (#32). Nature is never far: a third of Sheffield lies within the Peak District National Park, full of trails, caves, and ample space to think.
And Sheffield is thinking ahead. This city is a magnet for students who flock here to study at the renowned University of Sheffield, which secures the city’s #18 University ranking. Zealous learners power the #33-ranked nightlife, emerging from lecture halls hungry for a good pint and good company. Neither are hard to find in Sheff, and the #13-ranked public transit gets everyone home in one piece.
Looking ahead, the syllabus calls for more transformation. The city’s ReNew grants are giving entrepreneurs more reasons to settle down here, and the ongoing Heart of the City initiative has created nearly 1.5 million square metres of new residential, commercial, and public space to support them. A new housing masterplan has their back, too, with aims to build 20,000 new homes in Sheffield by 2039.