With 2021 being dubbed the ‘year of the staycation’ which could deliver a £22bn boost to domestic tourism,[1] Sheffield, known as The Outdoor City, is the ideal destination for an affordable post-lockdown staycation this summer.
With a rich cultural heritage and 61% green space – the highest percentage of any city in the world – Sheffield is The Outdoor City. A third of the city sits within the Peak District with more trees per person than any other city in the UK making Sheffield the greenest city in the country.
The city’s unique geography which allows for plenty of outdoor adventure activities from climbing to mountain biking, coupled with its thriving cultural scene around music, art, food & drink means that Sheffield has something for everyone, all under the same sky.
With the Summer in the Outdoor City programme on throughout the summer, there’s so many music, culture, nature and community events happening across the city that everyone is invited to.
Culture and nature intertwined
As part of Sheffield’s unique outdoor offering, culture and nature intertwine throughout the city. Over the summer, there’s plenty of events that allow everyone to experience Sheffield’s rich cultural heritage, all in the greenest city in the UK. Art in the Gardens, is the largest outdoor art exhibition in the North of England held in Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield Showcase, a weekend filled with cultural activity across the city and Festival on the Square is a brand new two-week festival celebrating the best of Sheffield’s creative arts scene. Waterfront Festival at Victoria Quays incorporates culture and nature with entertainment and outdoor activities. Hedgerow Market, a vibrant street market with street food, live music and a variety of makers and Sheffield’s Street Art Trail, is a curated trail of 10 of the city’s finest murals.
The return of live music – with an outdoor twist
On top of an array of arts and cultural events is the return of live music to Sheffield which saw the city’s own Tramlines be one of the first of the UK’s 2021 summer festivals to take place. Throughout the summer, music events like Sheffield Music Trails, which provides a unique opportunity to experience fine artists perform all for free at fantastic independent venues; Leadmill in the Square, a free weekend full of live outdoor music; and Bassfest Summer Festival, a two-day weekender festival with the best in UK garage, drum & bass, house, hip hop and bassline offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy live music again. For a more classical experience, Opera on Location presents Debussy’s The Prodigal Son will be live from the courtyard of Sheffield’s Kelham Island museum.
Foodie hub
With artisan cafes, delicious street food markets, innovative restaurants complimented by a thriving craft beer scene, Sheffield is also a hub for foodies. Peddler Market offers an outdoor food market this summer with a variety of street food vendors, while Kelham Island is a premier destination for food, drink and thriving indie restaurants and bars, while also being the home of an iconic ale trail throughout the island.
Outdoor activities
To celebrate Sheffield’s unique geography and unparalleled amount of green space, Summer in the Outdoor City is hosting a variety of outdoor events and activities. The iconic Sheffield Half Marathon and 10k is as much a spectator event as a runners event with streets lined throughout the city to cheer everyone on. Sheffield Walking Festival, incorporates heritage and things you may have never known about a post-industrial city on guided tours. The Photomarathon: Sheffield Round Walk is a 15 mile route in the southwest of the city with paths rich in nature and history to take plenty of photos of. These events are on top of the usual outdoor activities you can do in Sheffield ranging from mountain biking, climbing, walking and running plus more.
To learn more about The Outdoor City, visit theoutdoorcity.co.uk
