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'''Sheffield''' is a former steel mining community that has transformed itself into a vibrant student city since the mines closed in the second half of the 20th century. It is nicknamed '[[England]]'s largest village', as it has a very local, small-town feel to it. It claims more trees and parkland per person than any other [[Europe]]an city, and is built upon seven hills (cycling here is not for the faint-hearted). Despite all this, Sheffield is the fourth biggest city in the [[United Kingdom|UK]].

Many tourists ignore Sheffield, because [[Manchester]] is so close. Many English people also forget that Sheffield exists for some reason. This is fine with Sheffielders - it means that they get to keep their home as their special secret. Sheffield has a strong character of a typical 'northern' city, and there is much to see and do following the recent renovations to the city centre. There is a small but rapidly growing Hospitalityclub community, fuelled fueled by the annual 'Bummit' hitchhiking competition organised by Sheffield University. Sheffield is 10 minutes' train ride away from the [[Peak District]] national park, with many mountains and lakes to explore.

==Around the cityHitchhiking Out Northbound (M1 to Leeds, Edinburgh) ==You will be charged for using public transportFor heading north on the M1, although it is sometimes possible you can take the bus, tram, or train to hop Meadowhall Interchange from different parts of the tramscity. Keep Here, there is a lookout layby just before the on ramp to the trams - if you are very lucky, one of them may break down and as a result, you are allowed to use all local public transport for free until M1 (northbound) after the problem is fixedSainsbury's petrol station.

Take care when using older maps. The city has been renovated recently and the locations of some of the main roads == Hitchhiking Out Southbound (such as the ring roadM1/A1 to Nottingham, London) have changed & (June 2007A1 East to Cambridge, Norwich).==There are a few ways to get onto M1 southbound from Sheffield:

Take care when reading - From Sheffield South: Opposite the maps on boards in the city centre. Most are BP garage at Meadowhead roundabout there is a layby, not orientated with North upwards. Instead, they are orientated with the forward direction upwards, which can take some getting used toideal but OK.

==Hitching Out==Many drivers are friendly towards hitchhikers, although they often behave defensively at first- From Sheffield Centre: There is no obvious or easy way! You can get the X54 or X55 from Sheffield Centre to junction 31 of the M1 - from which you can access A57 to join A1 east or join M1 south. A sign with You can also stay on the bus to get to village of Woodall (about one hour ride from Sheffield city centre) and walk down a city name works wellfarmtrack to Woodall Service Station. Counter-intuitively, and so does 'M1 NORTH'/'M1 SOUTH'this is also a route for going North (there is a footbridge over the motorway).

== West, to [[Manchester]] ==[[File:manchesterroadsheffield.jpg|thumb|350px|Photo '''1)''': Manchester Road. This photo is taken about 50 metres past SPAR supermarket. Cars using the white-signposted road on the right are going towards Manchester: either hitchhike from here, or walk along this road until you find a more suitable place.]] To go to Manchester, use the A57 road. It's a small road, but it's fast, beautiful and easy to get a ride. Go to the junction of Fulwood Road and Manchester Road, shown in photo '''1)''' and the map above. It is the A57 and is in the Broomhill district. From the city centre, Broomhill is a 30 minute walk. * First get to Sheffield University (note: NOT Sheffield Hallam University). From the cathedral in the city centre, follow the tramlines uphill for 10 minutes. You will pass various bars and restaurants (this is West Street), and then the tramlines turn a sharp corner at the university's tram stop. Walk towards the university complex (the large buildings on the 'other' side of the tramline, you can't miss them).* From Sheffield University walk west along Whitham Road for 15 minutes. It's best if you ask someone around the university for '''Broomhill''': they will point you in the right direction. This is a bit difficult to describe, so asking people is important. Check the map above.* Once you get to the shopping street in Broomhill, look for the SPAR supermarket. The hitchhiking spot is about 50 metres further along the road from there, away from the city. Alternatively, from the city centre take bus 40, 51, 52 or 120 to Broomhill (cost: £1-£1.50, 50p if you have a student card). Once you leave the bus stop ask around for the SPAR supermarket, get to the supermarket and keep walking to find the hitchhiking spot. The junction itself is not ideal for hitchhiking, being on a corner with traffic lights and a box junction, where the cars waiting to turn right up the fork are not easily accessible by a pedestrian. A much better option would be to start walking along the A57 Manchester Road itself for a short way. Head up past Ashdell girls school, and you've probably gone far enough here. Be careful though, in school hours, there are about a million chelsea tractors parked on the double yellows here, and you won't get seen. Further down the road there are better stopping places for the cars, however a lot of this is uphill and can be tiring. Many cars drive directly to Manchester or [[Stockport]]. Once you're in the countryside hitching becomes a lot easier, so it it is worthwhile accepting short lifts. == Hitching without using public transport == The "traditional" way to hitch out of Sheffield is on the 'Castlegate'/'Sheffield Parkway' road, just after Park Square roundabout. However, the road system is complex and it is very difficult for drivers to stop there. * From the cathedral in the city centre, follow the tramlines downhill (you may as well walk instead of buying a tram ticket: the distance from the cathedral is about 10 minutes' walk). You'll pass by the tramstops 'Cathedral', 'Castle Square' and 'Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge'.* The track then goes over a bridge. Go over the bridge as well. Underneath you is Park Square roundabout (see photo '''2)''').* Take the footpaths over the roundabout, and you will see a main road leading out of the city (see photo '''3)''' and the map above). Find a suitable spot on that road and hitchhike from there - cars are going to the M1 motorway and will take you in all directions except towards Manchester. ===Motorway service stations===

===Map of West Sheffield/Sheffield city centre===

*First get to Sheffield University (note=== All other directions ==={|style="margin: 0 auto;"|style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"|[[File: NOT Sheffield Hallam Universityparksquaresheffield.jpg|thumb|350px|Photo '''2)''': Park Square. From You want to be on the cathedral in the city centreother side of this roundabout, follow so walk over the tramlines uphill for 10 minutes. You will pass various bars and restaurants (this is West Street), blue tram bridge and then follow one of the tramlines turn a sharp corner at the university's tram stop. Walk towards the university complex (the large buildings blue footpaths to Castlegate/Sheffield Parkway on the 'other' side of the tramline, you can't miss them).]]* From Sheffield University walk west along Whitham Road for 15 minutes|style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"|[[File:castlegatesheffield. Itjpg|thumb|350px|Photo 's best if you ask someone around the university for '''Broomhill3)''': they will point you in the right directionCastlegate/Sheffield Parkway. This photo is a bit difficult to describe, so asking people is important. Check on the map above.* Once you get to other side of the shopping street in Broomhill, look for the Somerfield supermarketroundabout from photo '''2)'''. The hitchhiking spot road signposted in green is about 50 metres further along the main road from there, away from to the citymotorway.Use it.]]|}   

Alternatively, Another options might be worth investigating buses in the direction of Grenoside etc. and trying to get a lift up to junction 36. You'd have to hitch from the city centre take bus 51a residential neighbourhood to do this, 52however, 60 or 120 to Broomhill so further research is needed. The roundabout beyond Sheffield Wesnesday's Owlerton stadium (cost: £1-£1.50Hillborough). Once you leave the bus stop ask around for the Somerfield supermarket, get might be a good place to the supermarket and keep walking to find the hitchhiking spottry.

The junction itself is not bad Another option for hitchhiking, but a better option going North would be to start walking along the A57 go via Manchester Road itself for about 10 minutes. Further down the road there are better stopping places for the cars, however a lot of this is uphill and can be tiring.

The waiting time Attercliffe Common/Broughton Lane junction is shortanother possibility for accessing the M1, usually 15-45 minutes, and many cars drive directly although it is unlikely to Manchester or [[Stockport]]be much better than the Castlegate/Sheffield Parkway spot described above.

==Nomadwiki & Trashwiki =All other directions==={|style="margin: 0 auto;"|style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"|[[Image:parksquaresheffield.jpg|thumb|350px|Photo '''2)''': Park Square. You want to be on the other side of this roundabout, so walk over the blue tram bridge and then follow one of the blue footpaths to Castlegate/Sheffield Parkway on the other side.]]|style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;"|[[Image:castlegatesheffield.jpg|thumb|350px|Photo '''3)''': Castlegate/Sheffield Parkway. This photo is on the other side of the roundabout from photo '''2)'''. The road signposted in green is the main road to the motorway. Use it.]]|}