SJ's Things to Do in Sheff (in progress)

Sarah Jane
SJ's Things to Do in Sheff (in progress)

Neighbourhoods

Different areas around Sheffield have really different vibes, so this gives you an idea of some of the different places to check out.
The main drag of Ecclesall Road between the Waitrose roundabout and Hunters Bar has plenty of swanky bars, micropubs, good restaurants, student coffee shops and posh boutiques shoulder-to-shoulder with hipster hairdressers and charity shops. It was always the posh place in Sheffield to go out, but there's plenty of variety. Our end of Ecclesall Road has more hairdressers that you can shake a stick at, but also some nice eateries and a few decent places for coffee/sandwiches. Here are some of our recommendations.
Ecclesall Road
Ecclesall Road
The main drag of Ecclesall Road between the Waitrose roundabout and Hunters Bar has plenty of swanky bars, micropubs, good restaurants, student coffee shops and posh boutiques shoulder-to-shoulder with hipster hairdressers and charity shops. It was always the posh place in Sheffield to go out, but there's plenty of variety. Our end of Ecclesall Road has more hairdressers that you can shake a stick at, but also some nice eateries and a few decent places for coffee/sandwiches. Here are some of our recommendations.
We live in Greystones. It is a great little area between Endcliffe Park and Ecclesall Road running up towards Bents Green. It's mostly residential so it's reasonably quiet but on the edge of much to do.
Greystones
We live in Greystones. It is a great little area between Endcliffe Park and Ecclesall Road running up towards Bents Green. It's mostly residential so it's reasonably quiet but on the edge of much to do.
Good places to check out for food & drink in the Town Centre include Arundel Street, Leopold Square, Campo Lane, the Peace Gardens, Corporation Street. The Train Station and Victoria Quays are also good. Note Friday/Saturday night I wouldn't recommend West Street or Division Street unless you've got your going out on the town game face on. They're nice on a Sunday afternoon!
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Sheffield
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Good places to check out for food & drink in the Town Centre include Arundel Street, Leopold Square, Campo Lane, the Peace Gardens, Corporation Street. The Train Station and Victoria Quays are also good. Note Friday/Saturday night I wouldn't recommend West Street or Division Street unless you've got your going out on the town game face on. They're nice on a Sunday afternoon!
My heart belongs to Sharrow. This is where I lived for a decade before I met Tom and moved to his bigger gaff. Sharrow is multi-cultural, a diamond in the rough, a real place with a great big heart. The General Cemetery is fabulous, there is an incredible variety of international cuisine for much cheaper than in the hipster areas on London Road and cool things like the the Treehouse Board Game Cafe (technically Highfield), Sharrow Lantern Carnival and the long-running Sharrow Festival and its Fringe. Also home to Sheffield's "Chinese Quarter". Realer than a lot of the other local areas, but poor too and you are more likely to see people lining up at the chemist for their methadone than anywhere else locally. Go to Ozmen's for great international style fruit and veg, flat fresh bread, "ethnic" foods of every type and late night off-licence.
Sharrow
My heart belongs to Sharrow. This is where I lived for a decade before I met Tom and moved to his bigger gaff. Sharrow is multi-cultural, a diamond in the rough, a real place with a great big heart. The General Cemetery is fabulous, there is an incredible variety of international cuisine for much cheaper than in the hipster areas on London Road and cool things like the the Treehouse Board Game Cafe (technically Highfield), Sharrow Lantern Carnival and the long-running Sharrow Festival and its Fringe. Also home to Sheffield's "Chinese Quarter". Realer than a lot of the other local areas, but poor too and you are more likely to see people lining up at the chemist for their methadone than anywhere else locally. Go to Ozmen's for great international style fruit and veg, flat fresh bread, "ethnic" foods of every type and late night off-licence.
Aaah Kelham, a beautiful ex-industrial area with a river (and a canal) running through it. Part gorgeous decay with buddleia growing out of cracks, part matchbox style new build and a hefty part hipster vibe with cracking venues selling coffee in jam jars or set up in shipping containers. You can find history at the museum, proper ale and pies at the Fat Cat & Kelham Island Tav... and a range of great bars and clubs along Burton Street and towards Neepsend. Walk along the canal path for an interesting insight into Sheffield's industrial history (but probably not late at night unless you want to meet ladies of the night and other folk on the wrong side of the law). Then venture further up to Neepsend. Personally I'd get a cab or walk down from the university roundabout (the one at the top of Hanover Way), but you can probably get the tram. Not the easiest of places to get to on public transport from our house tbh.
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Kelham Island
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Aaah Kelham, a beautiful ex-industrial area with a river (and a canal) running through it. Part gorgeous decay with buddleia growing out of cracks, part matchbox style new build and a hefty part hipster vibe with cracking venues selling coffee in jam jars or set up in shipping containers. You can find history at the museum, proper ale and pies at the Fat Cat & Kelham Island Tav... and a range of great bars and clubs along Burton Street and towards Neepsend. Walk along the canal path for an interesting insight into Sheffield's industrial history (but probably not late at night unless you want to meet ladies of the night and other folk on the wrong side of the law). Then venture further up to Neepsend. Personally I'd get a cab or walk down from the university roundabout (the one at the top of Hanover Way), but you can probably get the tram. Not the easiest of places to get to on public transport from our house tbh.
Some will say Kelham, but as far as I'm concerned Cutlery Works, the Gardener's Rest and Church are in Neepsend. ("Little Kelham", "Nether Kelham"..."Lower Burngreave" - you'll not hear that one!) The edge of gentrification, with all that offers. Little workshops and band rooms. Big plants. Disused buildings. Artists. Co-ops.
Neepsend
Some will say Kelham, but as far as I'm concerned Cutlery Works, the Gardener's Rest and Church are in Neepsend. ("Little Kelham", "Nether Kelham"..."Lower Burngreave" - you'll not hear that one!) The edge of gentrification, with all that offers. Little workshops and band rooms. Big plants. Disused buildings. Artists. Co-ops.
Chesterfield Road
Chesterfield Road
Abbeydale Road
Abbeydale Road
Posh. Lovely little independent shops, delis, bakeries, organic food, cafes and restaurants, regular craft market. Nestled in between Sharrow, Nether-Edge and Ecclesall Road. No visit to Sheffield can be complete without a little wander along here to check it all out. If you're a foodie/like your wine/are a sucker for an expensive babygrow watch your pennies or you'll be all spent up before you know it! Don't take your car and bring your own reusable bags/bike pannier/basket and you'll fit in fine.
Sharrow Vale Road
Sharrow Vale Road
Posh. Lovely little independent shops, delis, bakeries, organic food, cafes and restaurants, regular craft market. Nestled in between Sharrow, Nether-Edge and Ecclesall Road. No visit to Sheffield can be complete without a little wander along here to check it all out. If you're a foodie/like your wine/are a sucker for an expensive babygrow watch your pennies or you'll be all spent up before you know it! Don't take your car and bring your own reusable bags/bike pannier/basket and you'll fit in fine.

Food scene - walking distance

These are places you can get to without much effort at all.
Great for cake and specialty coffee. Usually have fabulous vegan options. Very popular for mummy meet-ups and post-school hot chocolates (just across the road from Greystones school).
Gilmours Coffee Shop
54 Greystones Rd
Great for cake and specialty coffee. Usually have fabulous vegan options. Very popular for mummy meet-ups and post-school hot chocolates (just across the road from Greystones school).
Yummy pizzas made in the specially built pizza oven. Unusual and delicious toppings, gluten free and vegan options.
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The Porter Pizza Company
410 Sharrow Vale Rd
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Yummy pizzas made in the specially built pizza oven. Unusual and delicious toppings, gluten free and vegan options.
Lovely Michelin Guide restaurant in a boutique hotel. We've had a lot of family birthdays here, I had afternoon tea here for my hen do. My husband and I stayed here overnight for our first baby free night. (There was a bath in the room - it is very lovely). Sometimes the service is a bit...slow...but the food is very very good. Right next to the park, lovely to sit on the deck on a gorgeous day.
Brocco on the Park
92 Brocco Bank
Lovely Michelin Guide restaurant in a boutique hotel. We've had a lot of family birthdays here, I had afternoon tea here for my hen do. My husband and I stayed here overnight for our first baby free night. (There was a bath in the room - it is very lovely). Sometimes the service is a bit...slow...but the food is very very good. Right next to the park, lovely to sit on the deck on a gorgeous day.
Really really good food, and just round the corner from our house. Italian/Moroccan fusion. Both excellent. Tip top night out. You can put a frock on and not be out of place. Top tip: Go next door for an aperitif/nightcap and you won't be disappointed.
Olive
762 Ecclesall Rd
Really really good food, and just round the corner from our house. Italian/Moroccan fusion. Both excellent. Tip top night out. You can put a frock on and not be out of place. Top tip: Go next door for an aperitif/nightcap and you won't be disappointed.

Places for drinks - walking distance

There are many many many places to eat and drink in walking distance from our house, so these are just a few recommendations!
A hop, skip and a jump from our house, this place is really unusual. Run by a couple of alcohol enthusiasts who specialise in American imports, there are just a few tables and you can go to pick up a bottle of something special or linger all night. You can order pizza from the excellent restaurant next door until 9pm. Not cheap, but great for a nightcap or a special occasion. Also if you're into the unusual on the alcohol front.
Wine & Whiskey
A hop, skip and a jump from our house, this place is really unusual. Run by a couple of alcohol enthusiasts who specialise in American imports, there are just a few tables and you can go to pick up a bottle of something special or linger all night. You can order pizza from the excellent restaurant next door until 9pm. Not cheap, but great for a nightcap or a special occasion. Also if you're into the unusual on the alcohol front.
Large Thornbridge pub with outside seating and even the occasional morris dance. Great range of beer. Very favourite pub quiz on a Tuesday night (tell Scarlett Hi from SJ & Tom in Costa Rica), live music venue/room you can hire. Great local, kids welcome until 9pm, kids' menu. OK Food. Bit of a steep walk up the hill (you can get the bus if you need to) but downhill after a few pints of Jaipur is a dream on the way home, it's a lovely walk and the views from the top are great.
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The greystones
Greystones Road
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Large Thornbridge pub with outside seating and even the occasional morris dance. Great range of beer. Very favourite pub quiz on a Tuesday night (tell Scarlett Hi from SJ & Tom in Costa Rica), live music venue/room you can hire. Great local, kids welcome until 9pm, kids' menu. OK Food. Bit of a steep walk up the hill (you can get the bus if you need to) but downhill after a few pints of Jaipur is a dream on the way home, it's a lovely walk and the views from the top are great.

Coffee (and cake, or maybe lunch) in town

Top class coffee, for the coffee connoisseur, also good cake. Tucked away in a little oasis of cool off the main drag in town. I met Sigur Ros in there once - true story!
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Steam Yard
97 Division St
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Top class coffee, for the coffee connoisseur, also good cake. Tucked away in a little oasis of cool off the main drag in town. I met Sigur Ros in there once - true story!
Great coffee. Lovely cakes. Nice outside bit. Friendly staff. Nice food. Bit loud inside sometimes. Every now and again just get a hankering for that Tamper vibe and some avocado, egg hipster breakfast. Full of entrepreneurs and uni types and people who lunch and students. Good mix. Nice drinks too. Good for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, meeting someone near station. Shuts quite early, so not good for an after work meet-up.
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Tamper Sellers Wheel.
149 Arundel St
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Great coffee. Lovely cakes. Nice outside bit. Friendly staff. Nice food. Bit loud inside sometimes. Every now and again just get a hankering for that Tamper vibe and some avocado, egg hipster breakfast. Full of entrepreneurs and uni types and people who lunch and students. Good mix. Nice drinks too. Good for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, meeting someone near station. Shuts quite early, so not good for an after work meet-up.

Cool stuff to do

Go! Really. A wonderful mix of people, ages, all sorts. A fabulous range of hundreds of games and really enthusiastic, well versed staff. Good bar and snacks/light meals. You have to pay for the table and it's worth booking in advance which you can do online. They have high chairs and a box of toys for the little ones.
The Treehouse Board Game Café
41 Boston St
Go! Really. A wonderful mix of people, ages, all sorts. A fabulous range of hundreds of games and really enthusiastic, well versed staff. Good bar and snacks/light meals. You have to pay for the table and it's worth booking in advance which you can do online. They have high chairs and a box of toys for the little ones.
STREET ART...that's the only art we know... Around and about the brownfield sites of Sheffield in particular you'll find some great street art from old heads like Kid Acne & the remarkable Phlegm through Fauna and to newer writers on the block. Take yourself on a magical mystery tour of the back streets between Division Street and the station, or the Neepsend side of Kelham or along London Road and Abbeydale Road and the sharp of eye shall be rewarded.
Milton Street
Milton Street
STREET ART...that's the only art we know... Around and about the brownfield sites of Sheffield in particular you'll find some great street art from old heads like Kid Acne & the remarkable Phlegm through Fauna and to newer writers on the block. Take yourself on a magical mystery tour of the back streets between Division Street and the station, or the Neepsend side of Kelham or along London Road and Abbeydale Road and the sharp of eye shall be rewarded.
Walk or even better cycle this route and catch up with the Pennine Way. You can walk out to Meadowhall if you should choose. Beautiful and industrial scenery along the way. Romantic. Pleasant. Good exercise - but flat so easy for all. Start in town down by the Ibis hotel.
Five Weirs Walk
Five Weirs Walk
Walk or even better cycle this route and catch up with the Pennine Way. You can walk out to Meadowhall if you should choose. Beautiful and industrial scenery along the way. Romantic. Pleasant. Good exercise - but flat so easy for all. Start in town down by the Ibis hotel.

The Peaks and their wondorousness

On a perfect Spring or Summer day my idea of happiness is to go for a walk around Dam Flask and then drive up (or walk up, then it really feels earned!) to the Old Horns Inn at High Bradfield for a drink and something to eat looking out at THAT view, the stillness, the green, and then maybe wandering around the churchyard to see the sheep, or around the tiny village. It's a big pub and I would recommend going a bit earlier than your average punter to get the table you want, but we've never not been able to sit outside. There are a couple of little slides and a little climbing frame. The menu is very large/ambitious with a range of classic sort of pub grub and there's a kids' menu. A bit off the beaten track so in our experience you don't get the hordes of visitors you can see in other places.
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The Old Horns Inn
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On a perfect Spring or Summer day my idea of happiness is to go for a walk around Dam Flask and then drive up (or walk up, then it really feels earned!) to the Old Horns Inn at High Bradfield for a drink and something to eat looking out at THAT view, the stillness, the green, and then maybe wandering around the churchyard to see the sheep, or around the tiny village. It's a big pub and I would recommend going a bit earlier than your average punter to get the table you want, but we've never not been able to sit outside. There are a couple of little slides and a little climbing frame. The menu is very large/ambitious with a range of classic sort of pub grub and there's a kids' menu. A bit off the beaten track so in our experience you don't get the hordes of visitors you can see in other places.
TWELVE minutes in the car away in this National Trust property. Largely moorland there is an idyllic little brook where you can paddle all day in the summer (or indeed any time if you're that way inclined). Parking free for National Trust members. There is a little cafe/gift shop. Not the best National Trust cafe I've been too, but on a winter day that soup/coffee/cake is much appreciated after a loop around the estate. Top Tip: Twin with a meal at the Fox House or for a real treat drive the extra 20 minutes to The Merchants Yard at Tideswell.
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Longshaw Estate - National Trust
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TWELVE minutes in the car away in this National Trust property. Largely moorland there is an idyllic little brook where you can paddle all day in the summer (or indeed any time if you're that way inclined). Parking free for National Trust members. There is a little cafe/gift shop. Not the best National Trust cafe I've been too, but on a winter day that soup/coffee/cake is much appreciated after a loop around the estate. Top Tip: Twin with a meal at the Fox House or for a real treat drive the extra 20 minutes to The Merchants Yard at Tideswell.
Without doubt a must see. Something for everyone here. You don't have to go round the house, just a visit to the grounds and a look at the cafe is fine. Some suggestions for a great day out: - If you've got kids go to the Farm and adventure playground. You can cuddle a guinea pig and watch cows being milked. - The Christmas lights in the house are UNMISSABLE they are fabulous and the Christmas market can be a bit busy but has some nice stuff - The RHS has been putting on a garden show here for a few years now (3 or 4) and it is well worth a visit, the show gardens aren't all that, but it's a great day out and there are lots of bargains to be had near the end of the day or on the Sunday! - Park at Baslow and walk through the grounds up to the courtyard for afternoon tea. - Get a garden ticket and check out the maze, the walk, the hot-houses, masses to see and really recommended day out. Take a picnic or eat in one of the cafes. - Take a picnic and park on the other side of the river and go for a dip, gorgeous gorgeous views of the house and the grounds - Go for a tour round the house and wonder at the opulence. I quite like the sculpture gallery but my favourites are the grand staircases. The Duchess and Duke live here, this is their house - bonkers! Top Tip: Book tickets in advance online for free parking, or get the bus.
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Casa Chatsworth
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Without doubt a must see. Something for everyone here. You don't have to go round the house, just a visit to the grounds and a look at the cafe is fine. Some suggestions for a great day out: - If you've got kids go to the Farm and adventure playground. You can cuddle a guinea pig and watch cows being milked. - The Christmas lights in the house are UNMISSABLE they are fabulous and the Christmas market can be a bit busy but has some nice stuff - The RHS has been putting on a garden show here for a few years now (3 or 4) and it is well worth a visit, the show gardens aren't all that, but it's a great day out and there are lots of bargains to be had near the end of the day or on the Sunday! - Park at Baslow and walk through the grounds up to the courtyard for afternoon tea. - Get a garden ticket and check out the maze, the walk, the hot-houses, masses to see and really recommended day out. Take a picnic or eat in one of the cafes. - Take a picnic and park on the other side of the river and go for a dip, gorgeous gorgeous views of the house and the grounds - Go for a tour round the house and wonder at the opulence. I quite like the sculpture gallery but my favourites are the grand staircases. The Duchess and Duke live here, this is their house - bonkers! Top Tip: Book tickets in advance online for free parking, or get the bus.

Things to Do with Kids

Small kids will be happily distracted with a play house and toys whilst the grown ups realise how good they've got at drowning out noise and the lengths they'll go to for five minutes to stare at the wall/do life admin/have a quiet cry. Owned and sometimes run by the former owner of a local nursery and her family (next two generations) there is so much love here. A breastfeeding support worker comes in once a week. I will never forget the deep deep gratitude I felt when breast-feeding here very early with Iris and the owner came over and brought me a glass of water without even being asked. You cannot buy that kind of empathy. They have plastic plates, cups (including sippy cups) and cutlery for little people and two sizes of high chair. The toilet has a good baby change. I recommend the baked potato and the cakes. Not a place to meet your childless friends, unless they are really excellent friends. Not a place to go without a child really. Expect S11 mums ("nice", mostly white, probably on maternity leave from important sounding jobs) and to pay more than your average cafe. If you drive be aware there's some random car-park thing where you have to get a ticket if you're going to be more than 45 minutes. Top Tips: I would swerve the coffee and have a hot chocolate or pink tea. Take the opportunity to do your Co-op shop and drop in your towels/dry cleaning in the precinct whilst you're there.
851 Play Cafe
Small kids will be happily distracted with a play house and toys whilst the grown ups realise how good they've got at drowning out noise and the lengths they'll go to for five minutes to stare at the wall/do life admin/have a quiet cry. Owned and sometimes run by the former owner of a local nursery and her family (next two generations) there is so much love here. A breastfeeding support worker comes in once a week. I will never forget the deep deep gratitude I felt when breast-feeding here very early with Iris and the owner came over and brought me a glass of water without even being asked. You cannot buy that kind of empathy. They have plastic plates, cups (including sippy cups) and cutlery for little people and two sizes of high chair. The toilet has a good baby change. I recommend the baked potato and the cakes. Not a place to meet your childless friends, unless they are really excellent friends. Not a place to go without a child really. Expect S11 mums ("nice", mostly white, probably on maternity leave from important sounding jobs) and to pay more than your average cafe. If you drive be aware there's some random car-park thing where you have to get a ticket if you're going to be more than 45 minutes. Top Tips: I would swerve the coffee and have a hot chocolate or pink tea. Take the opportunity to do your Co-op shop and drop in your towels/dry cleaning in the precinct whilst you're there.
Kind of like Biggleton with a supermarket, hairdresser, post-office, vets, fire engine, helicopter, garden, food stall, police box, well, construction site and some cars and things. All with dressing up and props. Great for imaginative play - you can get involved or leave them to it. You have to book for or go to specific sessions. Not sure how they're managing with Covid. Excellent hot chocolate (there really is a theme developing here - I should maybe do a hot chocolation section!). It is REALLY good though, little cafe but just snacks really. I quite like the tidying up session at the end, but that's just me. You can drive (there's a little car-park) or get the tram or walk from town.
Curious Kids Town
Lumley Street
Kind of like Biggleton with a supermarket, hairdresser, post-office, vets, fire engine, helicopter, garden, food stall, police box, well, construction site and some cars and things. All with dressing up and props. Great for imaginative play - you can get involved or leave them to it. You have to book for or go to specific sessions. Not sure how they're managing with Covid. Excellent hot chocolate (there really is a theme developing here - I should maybe do a hot chocolation section!). It is REALLY good though, little cafe but just snacks really. I quite like the tidying up session at the end, but that's just me. You can drive (there's a little car-park) or get the tram or walk from town.
My parents brought me here when I was a lass and for the last ten/fifteen years I've been coming with the little people in my life. Variety of exhibitions, not too big, lovely grounds as well with an ice-cream van at the gates. Also opportunities for dressing up. Wide variety of the ancient (Egypt), the natural world and local history. If you're lucky there'll be a band playing on the band-stand and you can imagine yourself back in Victorian England or Mary Poppins or some such. Top tip: They were doing up the cafe so this might be out of date but my experiences of eating there have been serially disappointing. Take a picnic ( nice grounds as well - opportunities for dressing up, wide variety of the ancient (Egypt), the natural world and local history, there's a space upstairs to have your sandwiches if it's raining), find the cafe in the park (I haven't but apparently it's good) or even just go to Dam House if it's a nice day - at least you can sit outside. Alternatively there are a host of lovely cafes in Broomhill.
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Muzeul Weston Park
Mushroom Lane
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My parents brought me here when I was a lass and for the last ten/fifteen years I've been coming with the little people in my life. Variety of exhibitions, not too big, lovely grounds as well with an ice-cream van at the gates. Also opportunities for dressing up. Wide variety of the ancient (Egypt), the natural world and local history. If you're lucky there'll be a band playing on the band-stand and you can imagine yourself back in Victorian England or Mary Poppins or some such. Top tip: They were doing up the cafe so this might be out of date but my experiences of eating there have been serially disappointing. Take a picnic ( nice grounds as well - opportunities for dressing up, wide variety of the ancient (Egypt), the natural world and local history, there's a space upstairs to have your sandwiches if it's raining), find the cafe in the park (I haven't but apparently it's good) or even just go to Dam House if it's a nice day - at least you can sit outside. Alternatively there are a host of lovely cafes in Broomhill.