Axe to Grind?
Why visit Valhalla Sheffield to lob axes around? A: It makes you feel like a viking warrior; and B: it really is cathartic. Book online with sessions £20 per head for an hour-and-a-half slot. It’s the best way to relieve tension in an explosive but completely safe way.
valhallasheffield.co.uk
Go antiques hunting
Lose yourself in an afternoon of searching for treasures and trinkets in the many intriguing stores in Sheffield’s Antiques Quarter. Hidden around the area are little corners of curiosities just waiting to be found.
sheffieldantiquesquarter.co.uk
Escape Rooms
The ‘Escape Room’ phenomenon has taken the UK by force and Sheffield has become a prime spot to partake in the latest craze, offering a selection of themed challenges to pit your wits against. Maybe you want to test friendships or properly evaluate your new flatmates? Either way, the Escape Rooms demand cooperation, teamwork and logical reasoning for success.
thegreatescaperoom.co.uk
Image courtesy of Marc Barker
Wander around the Sharrow Vale market
Organised every few months, community market is tucked away in one of Sheffield’s most delightful community neighbourhoods. Run by the Sharrow Vale Community Association, this typical farmers market consists of 80 stalls of local food and drink.
sharrowvale.co.uk
Support an independent bookshop
Is there anything more relaxing than an independent bookshop? With books stacked up to the ceiling, there is more than enough at The Porter Book Shop to occupy a rainy afternoon.
facebook.com/porterbookshopsheffield
Raise the Bar
Based at Sheffield Hallam University, Hallam Barbell Club provide a number of weightlifting programmes that are tailored towards people of all experience and ability levels. Aiming to build happier, healthier communities, everything is based on the principle of becoming stronger – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. They are affiliated with British Weightlifting (BWL) – the governing body for the sport – and their ‘life course model’ works from young to old featuring programmes such as MindfullySTRONG (integrated mindfulness and strength training), Powerbelle (strength training for women, by women) and SHUStrength (an open strength and conditioning community for non-athletes). Each block of training runs over 8-10 weeks and as well as being one of the most effective forms of training in terms of burning fat and releasing endorphins, the sessions are good fun too!
hallambarbell.com
Ramble On
A perfect way to see picturesque sides of the city and burn a few calories while you’re at it, the Sheffield Round Walk takes hikers through suburbs and rural areas in a 15-mile loop that includes some beautiful sightseeing and spectacular countryside routes.
sheffield-round-walk
Be Boulder
No rope or harness, (but on smaller walls, obviously) bouldering tests strength, stamina and brainpower as you negotiate your route to the top. Balance is essential as the manoeuvres are more complex than traditional climbing as your upper body strength is tested to the max.
climbingworks.com
Reach new heights
Opened in 1991 as the UK’s first dedicated indoor climbing centre, The Foundry is a top class climbing facility that welcomes aspiring climbers of all abilities. There are also student discounts on memberships and entry fees available.
foundryclimbing.com
Take it to the streets
One of the biggest events on the student social calendar is Peddler Night Market. The event takes place on the first weekend of every month at 92 Burton Road – a huge warehouse space bang in the middle of Kelham Island. There’s live music, DJs, street food and a couple of bars, but it’s the choice on offer which makes this event a highlight for most people in Sheffield. From the Nether Edge Pizza Company to Cow Boy Burgers, vegan/veggie traders and various worldwide cuisine, the sheer volume of diverse street food vendors to pick from is huge.
The huge bar list grows month by month too, with local breweries featuring among the UK’s finest craft beer purveyors. There’s plenty of wine and cider on offer, plus a dedicated gin bar out in the courtyard where you’ll find a live music stage with the best up-and-coming artists from Sheffield and beyond. The courtyard is a permanent home for independent businesses The Depot Bakery, Sheffield Cheesemasters and Russell’s Bicycle Shed to name but a few – all of which benefit from the swathes of people who head down to a Peddler event.
Make a night of it with music from local DJs from opening at 2pm ‘til around 11pm – so whether people are popping in for an hour or staying for a session, there’s plenty to get cracking with.
Extra Peddler!
Keep an eye out for Veg Out at Peddler. Taking place every few months at 92 Burton Road, Veg Out is your usual Peddler event, but featuring entirely vegetarian and vegan traders.
