There’s a particular kind of pressure that builds in the last two weeks of the summer holidays. The novelty has worn off, the weather is doing whatever it likes, and everyone has run out of ideas. Sheffield schools go back on Monday 1 September this year, so there’s still time to get a couple of proper days out in before the uniforms come back out.

Here’s what’s worth doing, and where to start the morning so the whole thing runs a bit smoother.

Start With Breakfast, Genuinely

This is not us being self serving. A day out with kids goes considerably better when nobody is hungry an hour into it, and trying to feed everyone at 8am at home while also finding shoes is its own kind of ordeal.

We’re at the bottom of The Moor on Fitzwilliam Gate, which puts us within walking distance of the city centre and easy to reach before heading anywhere else. During the school holidays we’re open every day from 9am, which changes on 1 September when we go back to being closed on Tuesdays during term time.

For the kids there’s a proper children’s menu, and babyccinos are free for under fives. Our milkshakes are made with Our Cow Molly ice cream, which is about as local as it gets. For everyone else, two large fluffy American style pancakes will keep a person going until well past lunch, and The Works, with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs and a sausage pattie on pancakes, waffle or French toast, is the sensible order before a long day of walking.

If someone in the group is vegan, gluten free or dairy free, that’s covered too. Our pancakes and waffles can be made gluten free or dairy free, there are vegan options across the menu, and our chicken is halal.

Where to Actually Go

Weston Park Museum is free, indoors and genuinely good, which makes it the reliable option when the forecast is doing something unhelpful. It’s a short walk or bus from the centre.

The Botanical Gardens are lovely on a decent day and cost nothing. Big glasshouses, plenty of grass, easy to let small children run off some energy.

Endcliffe Park is the classic Sheffield walk, and you can carry on up the Porter Valley towards Forge Dam if you’ve got the legs for it. Take a football.

Graves Park has the animal farm, which reliably works for younger kids and does not require much planning.

The Peak District is on the doorstep, and that’s still the thing people underestimate about Sheffield. You can be at Burbage or Padley Gorge inside half an hour. This is the one where breakfast beforehand really earns its keep.

The Bit Nobody Tells You About August

Weekends get busy. Pleasantly busy, but busy. If you’re bringing more than four people, or you’re set on a particular time, it’s worth booking ahead rather than turning up and hoping. We’re dog friendly and wheelchair accessible, so the whole group can come.

We’ve been doing this since 2016, and we’re still family run, which is probably why we’re reasonably relaxed about the realities of eating out with children.

Take a look at the full menu to plan your order, have a read of our family brunch guide if you want more detail on what works for kids, or see what’s on the breakfast menu if you’re planning an early start.

Then book your table and enjoy the last of it before September arrives.