Sheffield offers exceptional family living combining Outstanding schools, safe communities, Peak District access, and incredible value. As the only major UK city inside a National Park, Sheffield provides unbeatable quality of life for families at 30-40% lower costs than Leeds or Manchester.
Dore is Sheffield's most desirable village - combining Outstanding schools, Peak District access, and affluent community.
Primary: Dore Primary School - Outstanding (consistently top in Sheffield), 420+ pupils, excellent leadership and high standards
Secondary: King Ecgbert School - Outstanding (one of best in Yorkshire), 1,700+ students, A-Level A*/A: 45%+, GCSE 9-7: 65%+, excellent pastoral care
Dore Village (traditional shops, cafes, post office), Village Green (community space and events), Dore & Totley Station (direct trains to Sheffield in 10 mins), Limb Valley (nature reserve, walking trails), community events (Dore Festival, Christmas lights)
Blacka Moor (10 mins - wild moorland), Longshaw Estate (10 mins - National Trust, 1,600 acres), Padley Gorge (15 mins - ancient woodland), Hathersage (15 mins - Peak District village)
Average House Price: £400,000-£550,000+
Fulwood is Sheffield's largest suburb - affluent, safe, with excellent schools and amenities.
Primary: Dobcroft Infant School - Outstanding, Dobcroft Junior School - Outstanding, Hallam Primary - Good, Lydgate Junior School - Good
Secondary: King Edward VII School (KES) - Outstanding (selective entry, 11+ exam), 900+ students, A-Level A*/A: 60%+, GCSE 9-7: 80%+ (grammar school). High Storrs School - Outstanding (comprehensive, nearby)
Crosspool (village within Fulwood with shops and cafes), Forge Dam (beautiful park with cafe and playground), Porter Valley (walking and cycling trails), sports facilities (tennis, cricket, rugby clubs), Fulwood shops (local shopping area)
Average House Price: £320,000-£450,000
Totley offers Peak District on your doorstep while being technically Sheffield (S17 postcode).
Primary: Totley Primary School - Good, 280+ pupils
Secondary: King Ecgbert School - Outstanding (catchment includes Totley), Abbey Lane School - Good (special needs excellence)
Totley Rise (village shopping area), Totley Library (community hub), Totley Brook (nature walks), village events (Totley Show, community festivals), Dore & Totley Station (trains to Sheffield in 10 mins)
Average House Price: £320,000-£400,000
Ranmoor combines proximity to universities, beautiful Porter Valley, and good schools.
Primary: Ranmoor Primary School - Good
Secondary: Tapton School - Good (nearby in Crosspool), High Storrs School - Outstanding (catchment), King Edward VII - 2 miles (selective)
Average House Price: £340,000-£450,000
Crookes offers excellent value for families seeking good schools and community feel.
Primary: Crookes Primary School - Good, Lydgate Infant & Junior - Good (nearby)
Secondary: Tapton School - Good (catchment), High Storrs School - Outstanding (nearby)
Average House Price: £260,000-£340,000 (best value)
Dore Primary School (Dore): Outstanding, 420+ pupils, consistently top-rated in Sheffield, excellent community links
Dobcroft Infant & Junior Schools (Fulwood): Outstanding (both), combined pupils: 600+, high academic standards, strong parental involvement
King Ecgbert School (Dore/Totley catchment): Outstanding, 1,700+ students (ages 11-18), A-Level A*/A: 45%, GCSE 9-7: 65%, comprehensive and inclusive, extensive facilities (sports, arts, technology)
King Edward VII School (Fulwood) - SELECTIVE: Outstanding, 900+ students (ages 11-18), 11+ entrance exam required, A-Level A*/A: 60%+, GCSE 9-7: 80%+, grammar school with academic excellence
High Storrs School (Fulwood/Ranmoor catchment): Outstanding, 1,400+ students, comprehensive, strong performing arts, above national average results
Tapton School (Crosspool/Crookes catchment): Good, 1,200+ students, comprehensive, solid academic results
Silverdale School (Greenhill area): Good, 1,600+ students, large comprehensive, improving results
Endcliffe Park: Ranmoor/Fulwood location, 35 acres, playground, cafe, streams, popular for dog walking, picnics, and play
Forge Dam: Fulwood location, pond, cafe, woodland walks, family-friendly with ducks and playground, Porter Valley trail starts here
Ecclesall Woods: 350 acres of ancient woodland, bluebells in spring, walking trails with easy family walks, nature discovery
Botanical Gardens: FREE entry, beautiful Victorian heritage gardens, glasshouses with tropical plants, regular family events
From Sheffield family areas to Peak District:
Weekend Family Activities: Walking (endless family-friendly trails), cycling (mountain biking, road cycling), climbing (beginners to advanced), wildlife (red deer, mountain hares, birds), stately homes (Chatsworth, Haddon Hall)
Sheffield advantage: Only UK city inside National Park
| Area | 3-Bed House | 4-Bed House | Council Tax | Commute | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dore | £1,200-£1,700 | £1,600-£2,300 | £125-£160/mo | 15 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Fulwood | £1,100-£1,600 | £1,500-£2,200 | £125-£160/mo | 15 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Totley | £1,000-£1,400 | £1,400-£1,900 | £125-£160/mo | 20 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ranmoor | £1,100-£1,500 | £1,500-£2,100 | £125-£160/mo | 10-15 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Crookes | £900-£1,300 | £1,200-£1,700 | £115-£150/mo | 15 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
3-bed family home:
Quality of life: Sheffield has Peak District 10 mins away, Leeds has Yorkshire Dales 30 mins. Sheffield wins on outdoor access.
Example: Family of 4, 3-bed house in Fulwood:
Total Monthly Cost: £2,300-£2,750
Required Household Income: £55,000-£70,000
Most families have cars for school runs, Peak District trips, and shopping at Meadowhall. Easy parking at home with driveways/gardens common.
Road access: A61 (Dore/Totley) 15-20 mins to city, A57 (Fulwood/Crookes) 10-15 mins to city, M1 access 20 mins from most areas
Bus services: Regular from all areas to city centre, some school buses available, tram nearby (Ecclesall Road areas)
Train: Dore & Totley Station - 10 mins to Sheffield
Sports: Football (Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday academies), Cricket (local clubs - strong heritage), Climbing (The Climbing Works kids sessions), Swimming (Ponds Forge, local pools), Tennis and Rugby (multiple clubs)
Culture: Weston Park Museum (FREE, family-friendly), Millennium Gallery (FREE, interactive exhibits), Crucible Theatre (family shows), Sheffield Children's Festival (annual event)
Peak District: Walking groups (family-friendly walks), climbing (kids beginners courses), cycling (family trails), wildlife watching
Haus Properties specializes in family lettings across Sheffield's best areas.
Haus Properties
Phone: 0113 887 7259
Email: info@haus-properties.com
Dore (Dore Primary + King Ecgbert = both Outstanding). Fulwood (Dobcroft primaries Outstanding, King Edward VII selective Outstanding). Both areas consistently top-rated.
Very safe. Dore, Fulwood, Totley, Ranmoor all have very low crime rates. Sheffield safer than Leeds or Manchester equivalents.
£50,000-£60,000 household income for comfortable family life (3-bed house in good area like Fulwood/Totley). £65,000+ for premium areas like Dore.
If you live within catchment (Dore, Totley, parts of Abbeydale), very likely. School is large (1,700 students) so catchment is wide. Apply early.
Crookes Valley (£900-£1,300 for 3-bed) or Totley (£1,000-£1,400). Both have good schools, safe areas, good community. 20-30% cheaper than Dore/Fulwood.
YES! Dore/Totley: 5-10 mins to moorland. Fulwood: 15-20 mins. Sheffield is the ONLY major UK city inside a National Park. Unbeatable for outdoor families.
