Car Rental - Sheffield

Once the beating heart of the UK’s industrial heartlands, the aptly named Steel City has reinvented itself as a thriving modern city while maintaining its tradition for producing world-famous steel. Situated in South Yorkshire, Sheffield is right on the edge of the Peak District, a National Park with miles of beautiful landscapes offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor pursuits.

A Sheffield car rental means you can watch world-class theatre one day and be in the heart of Yorkshire countryside the next (or even on the same day). Said to be built on seven hills, Sheffield is certainly a city of ups and downs, making renting a car in Sheffield a definite perk. The city is also not far from other hotspots, with Leeds, Chatsworth House, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park all a convenient day trip away.

We've got a rental car pickup point at Sheffield train station as well as another in the city center, meaning you'll soon be on the road and ready to explore.

Sheffield offers a charming center surrounded by vast swathes of natural beauty. A former steelmaking giant, it's the perfect destination for those who want to combine cool restaurants, theatres and museums with the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Getting a Sheffield rental car allows you to explore the thriving central areas and head out to the spectacular Peak District in the same weekend.

Pure Theatre

One of Sheffield's principal attractions is the Crucible Theatre. Located on the corner of Norfolk Street and Arundel Gate in the city center, it’s an award-winning and historic building. As well as hosting high-profile dramatic productions, it is also home of the prestigious annual World Snooker Championships.

You'll find a dedicated parking lot on the nearby Charles Street if you’re renting a car in Sheffield. This is within easy walking distance and close to many restaurants if you fancy a pre-show meal. Despite being a large theater that can seat almost 1,000 people, the Crucible is specifically designed so nobody in the audience is further than 20 meters from the stage. You’ll also find the smaller Lyceum Theatre just across from the Crucible, offering world-renowned stage musicals, plays and comedy nights.

Head of Steam

For those who want to learn more about the industrial heritage that built this fascinating city, a trip to the Kelham Island Museum is a real must. Located on the south bank of the River Don, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into what life was like for those living in the city during the Industrial Revolution. It traces the history of steelmaking in the city, explaining how Sheffield became the global powerhouse that made the steel used to build the Brooklyn Bridge.

One of the main exhibits is a huge River Don steam engine, which is still in working order and is fired up for use every day. A collection of quirky cafes and restaurants have also sprung up in the former industrial buildings nearby – highly recommended after a day at the museum.

Going Green

Sheffield is arguably Europe's greenest city, with the highest ratio of trees to people across the whole continent. It's also got a vast array of parks dotted around, both in the center and its surrounding suburbs.

The picturesque Sheffield Botanical Gardens are located in the southern suburb of Broomhill, while further into the city you'll find the Winter Garden. A leafy oasis of calm between the busy Arundel Gate and Norfolk Street, it also offers a selection of craft and coffee shops. Meanwhile, in the adjoining Millennium Gallery you'll find an excellent range of art, craft and design exhibitions.

Peak Season

No visit to Sheffield is complete without taking a trip into the Peak District, the 555 square-mile expanse of National Park to the west of the city center. It contains spectacular hills, gritstone ridges and deep limestone valleys, offering plenty to explore both in your Sheffield car rental and on foot.

A designated world heritage site, there are plenty of routes accessible from Sheffield, including at Padley Gorge and Lodge Moor. With all this and more within easy reach, Hertz car rental in Sheffield is the ideal way to experience the thrill of the city alongside the wonder of the great outdoors.

If you collect your Sheffield car rental from our pickup point at the train station, you'll find yourself right at the heart of the action. The A61 route divides the city in two, with the center and leafier suburbs to the south and its mainly industrial areas to the north, along with several cooler neighborhoods.

The A61 also forms part of the beltway that circles the city, becoming St Mary’s Gate to the south and Hanover Way to the west. West Street is one of the main city center routes, while the parallel Division Street hosts plenty of trendy shops and restaurants. Ecclesall Road, home to several stylish restaurants and cafes, is another key route that eventually leads out of the center.

If you’re renting a car in Sheffield to explore further afield, follow the A61 to the east to get to the M1. This is one of England's major freeways running from Leeds in Yorkshire to London. Alternatively, you can take the A57 and then Manchester Road to the west, leading you into the Peak District and all its natural majesty.

You’re also close to a number of airports. Leeds Bradford Airport is a just over an hour’s drive to the north, accessible using the M1, while East Midlands Airport is a similar distance south of Sheffield. There’s also the larger Manchester Airport just 44 miles away, via the A57.

Sheffield is a fairly compact city, especially within its central areas. Like most cities, major roads may become busy at rush hour times, but you should be able to navigate them with ease if you plan your journey in advance.

As in the rest of the UK, motorists must drive on the left-hand side and overtake on the right. Speed limits in built-up areas are normally 30mph, rising to a national speed limit of 60mph and 70mph on freeways (known as motorways and prefixed with an ‘M’) unless otherwise indicated.