Sheffield Gloucester Train

Sheffield is a city located in South Yorkshire and takes its name from the River Sheaf which runs through the city. The city lies in the valleys of the River Don and its four tributaries, the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin and the Sheaf. The city has gained a reputation for its steel production which began in the 19th century. The city is home to many innovations including crucible and stainless steel which led to an almost tenfold increase in its population during the Industrial Revolution. Sheffield is a very green city with more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city.

Sheffield is a major retail centre and is home to many national chain stores, department stores and designer boutiques. The main shopping areas in the city centre are The Moor precinct, Fargate, Orchard Square and the Devonshire Quarter. Outside the city centre is Meadowhall shopping centre and retail park.

Sheffield has been home to several well-known bands and musicians, with an unusually large number of synthpop and other electronic bands originating from the city. These include The Human League, Heaven 17 and ABC. Also the Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Paul Carrack, Richard Hawley and Joe Cocker were either born or established in Sheffield.

The city of Gloucester is located in the county of Gloucestershire and lies close to the border with Wales. The city, which also lies on the River Severn, has a rich past dating back to Roman times. At the heart of the city, and standing in College Green, is the Norman cathedral with its breathtaking fan-vaulted cloisters and great east window. From the cathedral it is only a short walk down narrow cobbled streets, past historical buildings, to the main shopping area in the city. From there it is, once again, a short walk to the Victorian Docks with its now converted warehouses. In the docks you are likely to see all manner of vessels from narrow boats to sea going ships. The city is also an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area and take in the splendour of the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. The Cotswolds is an area of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The Forest of Dean is an area of mixed ancient woodland and forms a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.