Meadowhall Shopping Centre

Easy to get too with public transport and even easier by car, Meadowhall although it can be busy at times, it never fails to have what I want. It’s a great place to go on shopping trips with friends/​family and there are plenty of great food places to eat from which makes it just that much better. 5 Stars for me as it’s the best in the area and you won’t find anywhere better:)

Medowhall is a very large shopping mall in Sheffield, well it is classed as Sheffield but like the Trafford Centre, it is not actually in a city centre of any town and is infact closer to the city centre of Rotherham rather than the city it is in — Sheffield.
Meadowhall for me isn’t a great mall, it is far too busy and the layout is quite confusing, unlike the Trafford Centre which is straight, it is like a maze with lots of roads off it rather than more straight, which I don’t like.
I didn’t really like the appearance of this mall either, although I did find the lifts to be quite cool and jazzy, just in the middle of nowhere with its UFO like shape however they are also quite small, which means it just keeps going up and down all day.
It took me a good amount of time to get to Meadowhall and it wasn’t really worth the trip, they do have some eateries all in one centre but with it being located in the same bit, like the Orient in the TC it can get noisy.
Most of the stores are quite large here, rather than a big number of smaller stores, although they is a unbalanced mix, for example the newly refurbished Starbucks was still very small and felt a little squashed with the sun going in your eyes because of the window on the top floor, the «top of the mountain» where Boost/​Starbucks is on the top floor isn’t like a mall indeed, it is just quite unusual, and it is a little steep.
One of the best things about this place is probably the Free Parking, which is the same sort layout as The Trafford Centre. It makes me question whether city centres can charge for parking, big malls like this charge nothing and city centre’s in small towns like Wigan near enough charge you an arm and a leg! I would of thought this would be the other way around, and in this way Wigan and similar towns should learn from Meadowhall and The TC.
I definitely wouldn’t come here again with the longer trip out, confusing layout which doesn’t look to well being some of the reasons, some of the stores are not as good as they could be and unlike the Trafford Centre (another large shopping centre that I am critical of), I would not visit Meadowhall again, preferring to go to the likes of Leeds, which has a much nicer, friendly, less commercialised layout with more independant chains and smaller franchises.

To be honest I hate shopping, but, of course, I have to buy things. The more shops are in one place, the better. So this might be my most favourite shopping centre. It is the largest one I’ve ever been to. It takes a whole day (or even more :)) to explore the centre, but so does walking around the city and entering separate shops. I better choose a centre where all my favourite shops are in one place.

Today I risked my sanity in the infamous Meadowhell. South Yorkshire’s cathedral of shopping/​temple of commercialism. Any local will tell you that you enter this place on a Saturday in November and December at your own risk. I stupidly entered on 9^th November with the Christmas lights on and people starting to rush. THINK about what you’re getting yourself into before you get on the Supertram to the end of the line!!!
It once was the biggest mall in the UK, but recently it has been dethroned by the likes of Westfield in Stratford, East London. It still is pretty big by mall standards though.
One big plus is that Meadowhall is easy to find and easy to get to. So easy that it draws trade away from Sheffield and Rotherham! It has it’s own train and bus station which has direct links to Doncaster, Manchester, Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Leeds. One of the big draws as well for motorists is lots of free parking.
Meadowhall itself is also easier to get around and browse around unlike The Trafford Centre, which I hate walking around with a passion. There are maps around the mall and enough signs to direct you around.
There is also lots to entertain you when you get bored of shopping or sick of trying to dodge gangs of teenage girls loitering around. It has a Vue Cinema, lots of takeaways, a pub, restaurants, etc. you’re not too far from the Sheffield Arena too so this area of Sheffield is pretty covered for leisure.
Meadowhall however gets 3 stars absolutely murdered due to the place always being absolutely frustrating to get around due to the huge crowds of people. Especially at Christmas. Queues everywhere, slow walkers everywhere, couples not having the courtesy to let people get through, space hoggers taking up whole aisles and buggies everywhere! I have had the misfortune of being here in the last week before Christmas and it is enough to scare you into shopping online.
This place really does make me feel old and leave me incredibly critical of the next generation of kids. They come from all over South Yorkshire. It’s absolutely full of teenagers dressed in Hollister and the latest gear from Urban Outfitters spending ‘mummy and daddy’s’ money and hanging around ‘the mall’ getting up to the typical teenage shenanigans we’ve all seen before. If you wanna know what’s poppin’ in the mainstream just take a trip to Meadowhall.
The lack of something new in the Oasis also holds me back from giving away 3 stars. Trinity Leeds really has done a good job in regards to mall food courts as it offers new experiences to the customers other than Subway, McDonalds, McDonalds and KFC (saying that I am not a fan). The very very open food court environment feels a bit soulless as well. I think the place needs a new look, even though it’s already had one.
The Namco arcade doesn’t exist anymore as well! Huge pity. This place needs an arcade! I used to love that place! They had a Daytona USA arcade machine in there! :(
One thing worth noting as well is that I absolutely despise this place for what it’s done to the centres of Rotherham and Sheffield. Sheffield is catching up with Meadowhall though at a slow pace!
I will not be entering this place in a while, well… unless I really need to get something from here. Meadowhall isn’t for me and just drives me mad whenever I set foot in the place. Especially at Christmas. I also appreciate going to small independent shops and Meadowhall has none
I want to stress that I do not like malls so my review is pretty biased. If malls are you thing then definitely go to Meadowhall!

C’mon people… it is a mall! Malls are supposed to be busy… if they aren’t then they end up closing and just look like a cold sore on the face of a city. I am a shopper so I understand that the mall is going to be busy, it is going to be crowded, mothers clipping the back of your ankles with their massive prams, teenagers running wild in their natural habitat, and people from those kiosks in the middle trying to pull you in to rub some kind of «fountain of youth» serum from the Dead Sea into your skin. That’s a mall. And quite frankly, after visiting the Bullring on a Saturday in November… if you want to complain about packed… visit the Bullring. I spent more time in the cluster f&*#, at one time known as a queue, for the escalator… and when I wasn’t waiting for the escalator, I was in the crowd trying to get around the crowd waiting for the escalator.
As far as malls in the UK, it would be my favourite. I find it easy to navigate, loads of stores to fit my mood, huge food court with loads of choices, and it is easy to get to by public transport or car. And if an American, in a manual (we are known for our lazy left feet), on the other side of the road, can find her way across the midlands to Meadowhall, it cannot be that difficult! There is plenty of parking, although you may end up parking pretty far away depending on how busy it is.
I particularly like the food court because while there are the normal fast food options downstairs, if you would would like to have a leisurely lunch and rest your poor feet from walking all over the mall, then you can head upstairs, where there are the common chain restaurants. Some of them are more busy than others, but there is just about every type of food you could want. Bring your walking shoes because this place is large and if you are like me, and plan to cover every inch, you’re going to need some very comfortable shoes. I always come away with something, usually on sales, sometimes not on sale, but totally worth it.

meadowhall is a amazing place for all ages, it has hundreds of shops that sell all ranges of clothing and gadgets. and lots more the eating area oasis is amazing with a MC’Donald’s KFC SUBWAY AND MORE!
its the perfect way to spend a day or a weekend shopping with your family or friends.

That is one huge mall! I used to live in Sheffield for half a year and the Uni took us to Meadowhall before the semester started as a trip for international students. I was amazed, you can find everything there and spend so much time. One definitely should visit Fancie. Cupcakes to eat some amazing cupcakes before starting the shopping marathon. If you don’t like shopping malls you will call this Meadow“Hell” very soon but for shopaholics this is just amazing. I loved it well not right before christmas and maybe not at the weekends but I would love to come back some time.

As far as shopping goes, I don’t think you can beat Manchester city centre. However, Meadowhall comes as a close second, even over the Trafford Centre in my opinion.
Obviously you must be sensible when choosing your shopping day. Weekends in the run up to Christmas are understandably heaving, although my Gran and I managed to complete our shopping there mid-​week about three weeks before Christmas, and emerged largely unscathed.
Shops on my itinerary are always Zara, USC, House of Fraser, Republic, Primark, H&M, New Look. One great shop to keep an eye out for is the Lakeland shop, selling all kinds of goodies for your kitchen. I had my eye on a lovely guitar-​shaped silicone spatula, unfortunately my Grandma was too engrossed in the cake tin liners and my Mother busy picking to pieces the need for summer tea-​party crackers that I won’t be expecting that spatula any time soon unless I buy it myself!
Time your visit around sale-​time and you can come out with some truly amazing bargains.

Nice to have on the doorstep but best avoided when the tourists hit at weekends and xmas period. Feel sorry for the staff having to work long long hours to cater for the public. Cmon Meadowhell — these folk have families too !

Meadowhell … what can I say? It’s fabulous on a weekday. There are so many shops that you’re virtually guaranteed to come out with whatever you’re looking for. You have the standard high street stores like Boots, Marks and Spencer, Next, Apple, Game, and those sports shops whose names all sound the same. You also have slightly more unusual shops like Hotel Chocolat (my bank balance has dipped since that opened), Paperchase, and the even more unusual little stores on The Lanes that sell anything from Goth clothing to fancy coffee.
The choice at Meadowhell is really enough for anyone. You’re not limited to one or two shops selling each thing, which is fantastic. The only drawback is that they’re often spread out. The four bookshops, for instance, are located two at one end, one at the other, and one somewhere off the middle. You have to be prepared to walk a lot if you’re doing anything more than nipping into a single shop. This can be a bit of a problem, as the flooring seems designed to to make your feet hurt after a short period of time.
The food opportunities have expanded massively lately and are no longer confined to the Oasis food court. No gourmet food, but a great selection of decent restaurants and fast food places selling food from around the wordl. There’s a Yo Sushi (which smells lovely, though I’ve yet to pluck up the courage to try it), a Zizzi’s, Nandos, Handmade Burger Co, etc etc for sit-​down meals. For faster eating, you can choose from Chinese, Indian, English pasties, fish and chips, or the usual Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and KFC. I have to confess that the KFC, while the most popular kiosk, invariably gives people a dodgy stomach. My friends and I avoid it now.
Above the Oasis is the Vue cinema. My friends and I avoid that, too. It’s expensive, and the seats aren’t all that comfortable. More importantly, some of the screens have seats that barely slant, so if you’re unlucky enough to get in one of those you come out with a crinked neck from staring up at the screen over the top of the chair in front. We always go to Cineworld at the Centertainment which is only 5 minutes away (or 25, if it’s rush hour…).
All in all, I love Meadowhell.
Until the general public gets there.
Meadowhell becomes very much like the roaring fires of its namesake around Christmas, and on weekends when shoppers descend with buggies, too many bags, no manners, and increasing amounts of irritation. Locals have become used to this and solved it by just not entering the place during busy periods unless, perhaps, someone’s holding a gun to their head. Christmas shopping at Meadowhall takes place in September, or you go to Sheffield city centre instead and retain the will to live.
I have been into Meadowhell on Saturdays a few times and the quantity of people is frightening. It makes it difficult to get anywhere, and if you want to sit down to eat you’ve had it. On these occasions the car park has still had plenty of space in it (it’s a really huge car park). Around Christmas they open up the OVERFLOW car park, and even that gets full. I wouldn’t like to be inside the centre when that happens. I honestly don’t know how anyone gets any shopping done when it’s that busy.
So, highly recommended for a visit if you like your shopping. Just don’t come on a Saturday, please?

Meadowhall is a huge shopping centre, I believe it is the Largest in Yorkshire. The car park is huge we could have done with a map to get out. Parking is free though. Meadowhall has such a huge selection of shops to suit every budget there is a total of 280 I’m sure if you get around them all in day. Its best to pick up a map to guide you through the centre. There budget shops like poundland and primark as well as designer store such as Karen Miller. There plently of places to buy refreshment too.
The centre is always beautifully decorated around christmas and worth a visit just to see all the lovely lights.

Known affectionately as Meadowhell by the locals, I can only judge it as a southern softie visitor! Listening to my friends, I think that it gets its reputation as a hellhole around times like Christmas when the lack of parking can make a visit here a challenge.
Like most malls in the UK these days, it has the usual suspects. I can amuse myself in the Apple and Game shops. There is a cinema and lots of eating options, ranging from fast food outlets to more interesting options like La Tasca (tapas) to Ben & Jerrys for a treat.
So in conclusion I found it neither as pleasant as a meadow nor hell.

Meadowhall, at one point was the largest shopping center in Europe. Now? I don’t know but it is still damn big (not just by British standards but by US standards too).
All the British staples are here, a massive Boots, Marks and Spencer, Next, Zara, Debenhams, Clarks, etc. A huge cinema and food court are also included.
Lots of free parking and access from the city center via the tram.
Why 3 stars? This place is SOOO crowded on a Saturday. There were lines for the escalators. Yes, people waiting in line. Lines are long for checkouts and for food and for movies and well, everything.
The other thing I hate is how this mall has ruined Sheffield’s city center.
Judging on a purely «mall» standards, this is a 5 star mall. However, this review is MY opinion and I don’t like malls for the reasons stated above.

Its better than Trafford Centre. I realise a lot will disagree, but Meadowhall has more shops, and more room to breathe when its busy!
It has a pleasant mix of the usual suspects, and some much large stores like Primark, Next and H&M which you don’t often find in shopping centres — at least not to the size they are here. All the big department stores are there too — M&S, Debenhams etc, and Meadowhall also caters for some businesses in The Lanes area.
The cinema has recently had a refurbishment (along with most of the lower level of the centre). This I think was mainly due to the flooding last year.

This is the main shopping place in Sheffield as the town centre slowly gets ready for a refurbishment, it offers a large range of shops (around 250 I think) which means there is something for every one of all ages.
Has large selection of eateries in the oasis and also a cinema and a bar.
It has all the big names such as Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Boots, Argos, Primark Etc.
As it’s sheltered it makes it a great all year round shopping experience and also offers late night shopping till 9pm in the week and in the last few weeks leading to Christmas this increases to 10pm.
The location is good as its close to the motorway and effort has been made to have good public transport links, train bus & tram. There is lots of free car parking space and if it gets really busy there is overspill parking when required but is further away from the centre.

An enormous shopping centre but it’s still quite easy to find your way around unlike many of the other massive ones in this country.
There’s a large foodcourt which has a really good variety of restaurants in it.
There used to be a crèche but last time I was there it was still closed after the floods that devestated the centre a couple of years ago. Hopefully they have now re-​opened it, or will do soon.

I grew up in the area, and have good memories of Meadowhall. Its a place I often visit still if I’m ever in the area.
It was one of the original out of town shopping centres, and despite being open for almost 20 years now (which makes me feel a little old) it still manages to remain fresh. All the big high street retailers can be found — Boots, M&S, Debenhams, HMV etc, and these are complimented by an array of smaller stores.
In addition, theres a selection of restaurants and small traders in The Lanes area, a multi screen cinema, and ample car parking most times (although it gets ridiculously busy at Christmas time, and especially at the start of the sales when its so packed its actually difficult to move)
Well worth a visit.

I can’t really complain about Meadowhall Its got everything you might want, lots of shops, lots of places to eat, a cinema, a station, a bus station, and its linked to Sheffield’s tram network If you need to shop for anything, chances are you can get in Meadowhall. The only complaint I have is that it can get a bit busy, especially around Christmas, but that’s to be expected!
The food hall has several good choices, and you really can make a day of a visit to Meadowhall.

This is a very large shopping centre which has a great selection of high street stores alongside some more independent stores (the lanes are a great place to check out).
Meadowhall has a food court which has many different foods on offer, to suit all tastes ranging from standalone restaurants to food stalls where you eat in a central area (or in the new seating area on the upper floor)
There is also a Vue cinema on site offering the chance to relax, unwind and catch a movie.
Highly recommended.
Be warned though on a weekend and in the early evening it can be incredibly busy and when i say busy I mean busy!!!
Best to visit during the day on a standard working week if possible.

Meadowhall is a great shopping center in Sheffield, and very easy to get to (just off the M1 Junction 34).
There is ample car parking spaces, which is free, unlike many other shopping centers.
There are a huge selection of shops such as Debenhams, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, Boots, Marks and Spencer & much more.
There are some designer shops as well such as Ted Baker, and there are plenty of places to eat and have a coffee, as well as a cinema.

Although this place has all the usual chains and could be anywhere it is quite a relaxing place.
The best part of it to me are the tiny specialist shops, in the little streets, off the food court. The Lanes.
The food court itself is not bad for a shopping meal. lots of noodles or pizza and an all day breakfast place amongst them.
The little shops have ethnic goods, an old fashioned toy shop and film memorabiliaThe Last Picture Show. There is also jewellery (Cleopatras is nice), a hobby shop, a watch hospital and a fairy shop.
Arkwrights Emporium has all the old nostalgic stuff people love. great for gifts. including Gollies. Beatles stuff Marilyn Monroe, Laurel and Hardy. Audrey Hepburn, model cars and tractors, signs with a message, and branded stuff like BETTY BOOP. GUINNESS. JACK DANIELS. JOHN DEERE etc.
These little shops are, for me, the best part of Meadowhall.

«Meadowhall — Land of Shoppertunity»
Für ein Einkaufszentrum in einer recht ansehlichen Architektur im — für mich als Laien — «neoviktorianischen» Stil. (Keine Ahnung, ob es das gibt, aber ich würde es so umschreiben. Sprich: Elemente aus dünnen Metall-​Säulen mit dem einen oder anderen Schnörkel, eine prägende hübsch gestaltete Glaskuppel und dergleichen.
Vermutlich ist Meadowhall die größte Einkaufsmall «auf der grünen Wiese» im Raum Sheffield.
Auf zwei Etagen bieten sich unzählige Geschäfte — vor allem Kleidung, Bücher, Kosmetik, Elektro und Schnickschnack sowie einen riesigen, ebenfalls 2-​geschossigen Essbereich (the Oasis) in dem es spanisches, italienisches, französisches Essen, Essen im Lounge-​Style oder auch nur Fish and Chips gibt. Insgesamt gibt es mehr als 30 «Futterstellen». Sprich: Es ist für jeden was dabei!
Da mancher stressgeplagte einkaufsscheue Familienvater diese Mall auch gerne als «Meadow-​Hell» bezeichnet, gibt es hier auch ein Cinema, in dem man sich von lästigen Einkäufen dezent abseilen kann, bzw. in dem man lästige Bälger, die alles gekauft haben wollen, geschickt platzieren kann.
Interessant ist auch die bazarartige kleine Straße auf der rechten Seite im Untergeschoss der Oasis — hier gibt es wirklich lauter Schnickschnack und Krimskrams. Man hat das Gefühl, jeden Moment ein «billiger, billiger» oder ein «komm, mache guttt Prrreis» zu vernehmen. Das bleibt hier allerdings aus. Dafür kann es im Rest des Hauses schon passieren, dass man eine Zahnversicherung oder dergleichen aufgeschwätzt bekommen soll.
Macht aber nix — Meadowhall ist so verwinkelt, dass man lästige Verfolger leicht abschütteln kann. Damit man sich selber hier nicht verläuft, gibt es allenthalben Lagepläné, in denen die einzelnen Shops eingezeichnet und aufgelistet sind.
Alles in allem ein Ort, an dem es viel zu Entdecken gibt und keinen Wunsch offen lässt, den eine moderne Einkaufsmall bieten kann. 5 Sterne.