SSW #016: Central Parks Trio (Ponderosa, Crookes Valley, Weston)
-
When: Saturday 31st January 2026, 1030-1200ish
- Start/end point: starting at Bakers Yard Bakery, accessible by bus or tram. Finishing at the entrance to Weston Park, accessible by bus with trams a short distance away.
- Distance: 4km
- Terrain: pavements and footpath with some sections of steps
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
The Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park, and Weston Park are situated next to one another, yet each have distinct characters from one another. We will be walking through them to listen the different sounds within and take in in the sounds of the changing location of each park.
I’ll be at Bakers Yard Bakery for a coffee beforehand from 1000, where we will set off from at 1030 on the dot. Come join me if you fancy a natter (and pastry) before we get going!
A short, slower-paced walk open to all ages - we will aim to stay quiet throughout. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring snacks/water, and please also bring something to make listening notes, such as a notebook and pen, or an audio recorder if you have one. I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #015: Parkwood Springs
-
When: Sunday 18th January 2026, 1030-1300ish
- Start/end point: near Rutland Autos, accessible by bus
- Distance: 7km
- Terrain: paved/firm footpaths. 240m ascent.
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
Parkwood Springs is a mixture of woodland, heath, and open parkland, with lots of wildlife to see (and hear!). It also contains the old Sheffield Ski Village and a cracking viewpoint overlooking the city.
A medium-length, medium-paced walk for adults with places to chat in between longer sections of focused listening. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring snacks/water, and please also bring something to make listening notes, such as a notebook and pen, or an audio recorder if you have one. I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #014: Blue Loop
-
When: Sunday 30th November 2025, 1000-1430ish
- Start/end point: Castlegate (meeting point on Eventbrite).
- Distance: 7km/14km (two options, more info below)
- Terrain: mostly footpath next to canal, some sections of pavement. Very flat!
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
The Blue Loop is a long circular walk “taking in the industrial heritage and waterways of Sheffield.” We’ll start at Castlegate, walk along the River Don passing all five of its weirs of the river, and then when we reach Meadowhall we’ll leave the Don and head back along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, stopping into IKEA for half an hour to grab a quick lunch (equally, feel free to bring lunch with you, we’ll take a break regardless).
The full walk as described above is 14km, but if you would like a shorter route or have young ones with you, you’ll be able to get the tram back into Sheffield Centre once we reach Meadowhall, which is about 7km into the walk. The choice is up to you!
This is a longer, medium-paced walk open to all ages with a couple of stopping points - we’ll be aiming to walk partially in silence, partially chatting. The canal path is easy to walk along but is obviously next to a canal, so please make sure you’re comfortable with this and looking out for your own safety (plus the safety of your children/pets etc). There’ll be chance to pop into a toilet about halfway round when we reach IKEA. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring snacks/water, and please also bring something to make listening notes, such as a notebook and pen, or an audio recorder if you have one. I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #013: Sheffield Botanic Gardens
- When: Sunday 26th October 2025, 1030-1200ish
- Start/end point: Sheffield Botanic Gardens (meeting point on Eventbrite).
- Distance: 2-3km.
- Terrain: almost entirely on paved footpaths.
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
Created in the mid-1800s, Sheffield’s much-loved Botanic Gardens is full of interesting spots to walk, sit, and listen. This soundwalk will take the form of a treasure hunt; you’ll make your own route around gardens following a map you’ll be providede with, stopping off at some listening points marked on the map, and finding your own to share with the rest of the group. what3words, an geolocation app, makes sharing your listening points super simple, so please download it to your phone ahead of the walk if you’re able to.
This is a short walk that you can take at your own pace, and is open to all ages. There are toilets at the bottom of the gardens. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring snacks/water, and please also bring something to make listening notes, such as a notebook and pen, or an audio recorder if you have one. I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map and some listening prompts.
~~~
SSW #012: Hope-Win Hill circular
-
When: Sunday 28th September 2025, 1000-1415ish.
-
Start/end point: Hope train station.
- Distance: 9km.
-
Terrain: some sections on road, mostly footpaths and pavements.
It’s been a while since we did a walk with some views so we’re off to Win Hill, with a brief dip into trees below before heading back to Hope. A medium-paced walk with places to chat in between longer sections of focused listening. This is a longer walk and is open to all ages, so please bring your teenagers but maybe leave your little little ones at home so that we make it back to the train on time!
Please wear appropriate clothing and bring snacks/water as we won’t pass by any facilities until we get back to the station. Feel free to bring with you something to document what you notice (audio recorder/camera/notebook and pencil etc). I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #011: Sounds of Canada House
-
When: Saturday 13th September 2025, 1200-1330, 1400-1530, 1600-1730.
-
Start/end point: just inside the entrance to Canada House.
-
Distance: 2km.
-
Terrain: pavement, mostly indoors.
Ticket link (free, optional donation): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ssw-011-sounds-of-canada-house-registration-1635230260729
Canada House, a Grade II* Listed building, was originally built as offices for the Sheffield United Gas Light Company in 1875. It played a crucial role in the technological revolution that swept across the UK – where the use of gas for heating and lighting homes was becoming more and more widespread.
The building has been in and out of use since 1972, and has now been purchased by Harmony Works to become a music and arts hub in the heart of Sheffield city centre. In association with Live Works as part of Castlegate Festival, we will explore the sounds and spaces of Canada House in its current state ahead of its full renovation, as well as some of the surrounding area.
This walk is open to all ages. Feel free to bring with you something to document what you notice (audio recorder/camera/notebook and pencil etc). I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map and listening prompts.
Please click the link here to find out more information about the rest of Castlegate Festival.
~~~
SSW #010: Park Hill
-
When: Sunday 29th June 2025, 1300-1430ish.
-
Start/end point: Sheffield Amphitheatre.
-
Distance: 3km.
-
Terrain: mostly paved, some sections over short grass.
The Park Hill flats have a rich and varied history, more than can be conveyed in words alone. This short walk will be slow-paced, as we seek to understand the deeper human history of the area by exploring its present-day sounds. Please bring with you something to document what you notice (audio recorder, camera, notebook and pencil etc). I’ll bring some printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #009: Ecclesall Woods
-
When: Saturday 14th June 2025, 1115-1330ish.
-
Start/end point: Miller and Carter (Sheffield Parkhead). Served by 65, 81, 218 and 272 buses.
-
Distance: 6-7km.
-
Terrain: some footpaths, some sections over grass.
This session will explore all around Ecclesall Woods, searching for wildlife and passing by its sites of historical interest. A medium-paced walk with places to chat in between longer sections of focused listening. Please bring with you something to document what you notice (audio recorder, camera, notebook and pencil etc). I’ll bring some printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~
SSW #008: Whinfell Quarry Garden
-
When: Saturday 24th May 2025, 1330-1500ish.
-
Start/end point: Entrance to Whinfell Quarry Garden
-
Distance: 3km.
-
Terrain: mostly unpaved footpaths, some steps.
Built in an old quarry at the turn of the 20th century, Whinfell Quarry Garden showcases rare trees, a rock garden, and plenty of other interesting plants over a varying terrain thanks to its quarrying past. This walk will be semi-guided as we explore this oasis and its sounds. Please bring with you something to document what you notice - a pencil and paper would be particularly good for this one to make some tree prints, but a camera or audio recorder would provide alternate ways of documenting your walk. I’ll bring some printouts for everyone with a map, listening prompts, and some info about the area.
~~~