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Photo: Chemical Engineer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Large square that is used for public gatherings and demonstrations. In the middle is the Sheffield Cenotaph, which is a memorial to the city's fallen. At the western end there are two monuments to very different heroines; the Women of Steel sculpture honours local women's contribution to the steel industry during times of war, while the post box on the corner of Division Street was spray-painted gold to commemorate Jessica Ennis' successes at the 2012 Olympics. Barkers Pool is also the location of the City Hall theatre.
Barker's Pool is a public city square and street in the centre of Sheffield, England. The focus of Barker's Pool is the Grade II* listed 90-foot-tall (27 m) war memorial that was unveiled on 28 October 1925 to commemorate the First World War. The Grade II* listed Sheffield City Hall is on the north side of the plaza facing the Grade II listed former John Lewis & Partners department store.
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A large and grand old concert hall mixing neoclassical and art-deco styles, which hosts theatre, music, opera, dance and comedy gigs. Arrive early to take in the building, including its portico, semi-circular rear and two stone lions and impressive decorated ceilings in the foyer and corridors. Not to be confused with the Town Hall, which is the seat of Sheffield City Council.
The hub of Sheffield's local government - you can't go inside, but it's worth walking all the way around to admire the Victorian municipal architecture. Of note is the magnificent clock tower upon which the Roman god of metalworking Vulcan poses, and the many stone friezes depicting the city's industries. As you walk, don't miss the Sheffield Legends walk of fame - with plaques for actors Sean Bean and Michael Palin, Olympic athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill and Seb Coe, astronaut Helen Sharman and musicians Def Leppard and Joe Cocker, among others. You will also spot a green and white police box dating from 1928, which is still in use as a public information point.
Methodist-run theatre which shows productions aimed at families and younger audiences. Not everything has a religious angle, but some shows obviously do.
The rising and falling fountains and grassed areas make this small piece of open space popular in summer, with many people choosing to eat picnics here. The gardens are also often used for festivals and entertainment. Adjacent is Millennium Square, a rather windy place between modern office blocks (including the city's tallest building, St Paul's Tower) and with several large restaurants. The steel balls on the square have been chosen to represent Sheffield's industry.
Cathedral Church of St Marie
Opened in 1850, this is the Mother Church of the local Catholic community. There are several interesting architectural elements inside, including stained-glass windows and a 19th-century Lewis organ.
The largest urban glasshouse in Europe, built spectacularly in glass and timber, and home to exotic ferns, trees, cacti and other plants from around the world. Temperatures are kept relatively cool in summer and warm in winter. Lots of benches and a coffee bar inside makes it a pleasant place to sit and read or watch the world go by, particularly if the weather outside is not so nice. In fact, there are few more satisfying experiences to be had anywhere than listening to rain or hail lash the glass while you're warm and dry! There is a visitor information stall in the gardens, space for a pop-up shop and a tourist information centre on nearby Norfolk Row.