I have lived in Sheffield for the last four years. It’s somewhere I truly class as my home but I am still shocked I keep happening upon spots I had never bothered to visit. The north-west suburb was honestly never on my radar – living closer to Cathedral and Kelham it seemed out of the way (particularly for a southerner not that hot on football).
However, after meeting a friend I had a spare hour to kill, so I thought I would take a stroll to see if the district had more to offer than its footie-filled history. Hillsborough is by no means as big as some suburbs such as Stocksbridge, but it is still a large and well-known one, loved (or at least tolerated) by its 18,000 residents.
I decided to explore the area on foot to see if I could curb my stigma that Hillsborough was a place for the footie lovers – following a short walk suggested to me by a friend who lives near Taplin Road.
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Hillsborough Park was a gorgeous spot to visit, especially in the sun -Credit:Lyra Auld
I knew that with the mugginess, I wouldn’t be in the mood for the hustle and bustle of inner Hillsborough. Instead, I stuck to the outskirts: Starting in Hillsborough Park, I began at the main entrance. I had parked up outside my friend’s house and walked, but the tram stop was nearby and very easy to grab in a pinch if you wanted to come and explore. With the park spanning over 50 acres I can see why it is a massive magnet for visitors – especially on a sunny day.
Almost immediately I passed Hillsborough Walled Garden. This restored Victorian garden is open to the public and the care put into the place by local volunteers is evident as soon as you step into the space. The tended flower beds and quiet benches offered a perfect respite from the rest of the bustling park.
Hillsborough Barracks – a relic now converted for the benefit of local shoppers -Credit:Lyra Auld
Further down, there was a duck-pond. It was crowded by families and looked very scenic shaded under the willow trees that bordered the walk, believe it or not, the word ‘idyllic’ sprang to mind – especially with an absence of litter and mess. I have heard horror stories about the state of the grounds after Tramlines Festival, so I was surprised to see everything so well maintained.
A bit too hot for runners, the paths were also clear which made the stroll to my next spot very peaceful. Leaving the park at the Parkside Road exit, I kept winding through various streets. It’s a bit more residential but I was a fan of the stone terraced houses very reminiscent of Victorian-style buildings near Crookes and Walkley.
I will say if you are wanting an ‘easy stroll’ be wary that ‘Hillsborough’ got it’s name for a reason. Half the time I felt like I was at a 90-degree angle hiking up various streets. Totally worth it – just bring good shoes.
Blasting music at full volume to drown out traffic, I carried with the goal of reaching Hillsborough Barracks. I probably could have done without my map-app as the large building is very hard to miss. I am not as well-versed in my knowledge of cavalry but the stone buildings were very impressive to me and I can imagine a history buff would be a big fan (especially if they also liked Morrisons.)
I found it really impressive that I could see the gatehouse, clocktower and – If I squinted hard enough – a McDonald’s all in the same frame! Even repurposed, you can still get a sense of the area’s military past.
I followed Langsett Road briefly, passing several Tram stops and small businesses, before I hit a bridge over the River Loxley. It’s charming, although I personally prefer the River Don if I am going to take a stroll so I didn’t stay for long. I will say the old industrial buildings right down the river did give it some charm, but for me – especially in the heat – the rushing water stinking of waterfowl right next to a JD Wetherspoon was less appealing for my scenic stroll.
On the other side of the river, I was told you could also see the Owlerton Stadium. Whether I was a bit too short I am not sure, but I had to walk a ways further than the river to catch a glimpse of it peaking over the trees.
I thought Hillsborough was only good for its football – but don’t be fooled, it was rather more scenic than I expected -Credit:Lyra Auld
I have never been a football junkie – my only knowledge of any stadiums in Hillsborough belonging to that of the Hillsborough tragedy. I wasn’t even aware that there were two stadiums to begin with, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the race track still standing. It had a real nostalgic feel to it and though ethically, I am not inclined to sports like Greyhound Racing, I would definitely go back to have a closer look inside another time.
I looped back round for a short distance, and then re-entered Hillsborough park to finish my short journey.
I’ll say this about Hillsborough – Nostalgic is the word that kept hopping into my mind. Whether it was the fusion of new shopping outlets with old barracks or the intertwining of Victorian-style houses with cottages, the area felt like walking around a relic of Sheffield which was a lovely change from the bustling city close to me.
There’s definitely more than a strong football heritage in Hillsborough, the suburb seems to carry its history through the mix-and-match of old and new. Especially with the summer sun and huge park, it’s a place I am keen to explore for longer than just an hour.
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