These are the top five parks and green spaces in Sheffield

Sheffield was named Countryfile's best UK city for countryside lovers in 2014 and has been ranked as the 6th greenest city in the UK, but where exactly do you need to go to experience Sheffield in its full, green glory?

Coming to Sheffield you may be daunted by the amount of choice in front of you when it comes to parks and green spaces, and only go as far as to explore the Endcliffe pond.

However, over the last two years I have curated my top park picks to stop you making the same mistakes as I did.

1) Endcliffe Park

Endcliffe Park is the perfect escape for freshers in Ranmoor and Endclife, and students living near Eccy Road.

With a great mix of quiet leafy spaces and open grassy meadows, it ticks every box.

A short walk down the hill from the popular Botanical Gardens, Endcliffe Park is a far more peaceful place to visit when you fancy a taste of the countryside life.

It's surrounded by lots of interesting independent shops and cafes, so there's plenty of places to run to nearby if the weather isn't on your side.

2) Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods

Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods are two of Sheffield's hidden gems that most students haven't heard of.

Cross the road from Endcliffe Park and head round the corner to find a walk which takes you all the way from Eccy Road to the edge of the Peak District in Fulwood.

Bingham Park is also home to the Shepherd Wheel museum which documents the history of the water mill all the way back to the 16th century.

Both woodland areas are great places to walk and clear your head on a day off from uni or with friends at the weekend, and they also lend themselves to insta opportunities!

3) Forge Dam

Its hard to believe that a mere half an hour walk from Eccy Road you can find somewhere which has all the traits of a quaint countryside village.

Forge Dam is a peaceful and beautiful area of Sheffield surrounded by woodland walks and babbling brooks, with a great cafe nearby if you're feeling peckish.

There's plenty of public footpaths leading off from Forge Dam so it's a great place to explore and kill a few hours if you need a break from the IC.

4) Sheffield Winter Garden

If urban green spaces are more your thing, then definitely check out the Winter Garden.

Tucked away round a corner near the Peace Gardens, the Sheffield Winter Garden is a modern botanical masterpiece.

Its one of the largest urban glasshouses in Europe and is home to more than 2000 plants from around the world.

Admission is free and it sits in the very heart of the city; so the Winter Garden is the perfect place to escape to when you need a short break from the hustle and bustle of Sheffield city life.

5) Crookesmoor Park

I had no idea Crookesmoor Park existed until I moved into my second year house last year but it has quickly become one of my favourite places in Sheffield.

In the summer is filled with students sunbathing, having BBQs, or relaxing with a drink in the Dam House.

While in autumn and winter it is a great place to spend bonfire night or go for a morning run.

Admittedly, it still feels like you're in the city but Crookesmoor Park does offer a perfect place to chill out without venturing too far from civilisation.