BIFF BOOKS and RECORDS - SHEFFIELD

PLEASE NOTE: Shop opening hours are very erratic. If you intend travelling any distance to visit the shop please email at least 24 hours in advance.

ALSO NOTE: Books above five pounds are not stored in the shop. On-line records are not stored in the shop. If you would like to view any of this stock please give 24 hours notice by email.

When I first raised this page I must admit that I was "rather parochial" inasmuch as I assumed that everyone would know where Sheffield is located. However I have been contacted by people living in different parts of the world who are unaware of Sheffield's importance as a major UK city and its location within the country

Sheffield is the U.K's fifth largest city and is centrally located 160 miles north of London. Travel to Sheffield can be achieved:

• BY CAR - The M1 motorway passes within the Sheffield Boundary and is linked to the city centre by the Sheffield Parkway (A630 - Junction 33 of the M1). The four mile dual carriageway leads you directly to the heart of the city but it can get congested at peak times - you have been warned.

• BY TRAIN - Sheffield is part of the U.K.'s Inter City Rail Network and has direct services to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Bristol. There are also cross country train services to Manchester, Liverpool and Hull. Unfortunately Sheffield does not have a high speed rail link like the East Coast Mainline and so travellers may consider getting the high speed train to Doncaster and then the local train to Sheffield. It may well be quicker. By and large cross country train services from and to Sheffield are tortuous and should be avoided if at all possible.

• BY AIR - Three major airports lie within easy reach of Sheffield - 41 miles to the west lies Manchester International - 47 miles to the south lies the less important East Midlands airport and 40 miles to the north lies Leeds-Bradford airport. The latter two can be reached by the aforementioned M1 motorway. Sheffield does have its own airport, four miles from the city centre, but you'd be lucky to get a direct flight there.

Once you get to the boundaries of the city the instructions are as follows, although you should be aware that the traffic management in the city is one of the worst in Europe, so allow plenty of time to navigate yourself through this "planners dream".

By Car - Leave the M1 at Junction 33 and follow the City Centre signs along the A630 (Sheffield Parkway). At the end of the Parkway there is a large roundabout (Park Square). From the roundabout take the A61(S) along Sheaf Street following the signs for Chesterfield and passing the Main Railway Station on the left. At the next roundabout (centre lane) bear right along Shoreham Street following the signs for Bakewell (A621) and Castleton (A625). Incidentally this road leads to Sheffield United's football ground. Turn right on the Inner Ring Road and follow the signs for the University.

At the third roundabout take the second exit for Walkley and continue straight up the road past the University Arts Tower and Crookes Valley Park on the right. At the traffic lights at Barber Road/Crookesmoor Road (the Crookes Valley Methodist Church is on the corner) continue straight on and when you reach the brow of the hill (P&A Jewellers) the shop is on the other side of the road just above the Springvale Public House.

If you are coming from the West just follow the A57 to Broomhill (or turn left off Manchester Road at the Crosspool Tavern). Then go along the Crookes Road until you reach the Punch Bowl Public House and turn right down Springvale Road. Continue down the road until you reach the junction with Commonside (a garage/filling station is on the the corner) and then turn right. The shop is just past the Springvale Public House.

By Bus - No 95 from Sheffield High Street or West Street. The service passes the University and Crookes Valley Park on the route to Walkley and busses are frequent. There is a stop opposite the shop.