SSW #020: Under Surprise View
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When: Saturday 10th October 2026, 1020-1240ish
- Start/end point: start at the bus stop outside The Millstone, finish at The Fox House bus stop
- Distance: 4km
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Terrain: all unpaved, possible muddy underfoot (walking boots advisable), 200m elevation
No need to reserve your place; just turn up! All soundwalks are free, but donations can be made via the link here.
The silver birch forest beneath Surprise View is a treat and is very peaceful - perfect for a soundwalk! We will start at Hathersage Booths, walking through the woods and the site of the old Bolehill Quarry, until we get to the Longshaw Café for a quick cup of tea and a debrief. Both start and endpoint can be accessed by the 272 bus, and the walk has been timed to get us back to the Fox House to catch the 1239 bus back into Sheffield.
A medium length, slower-paced walk for adults - we will aim to stay quiet throughout. Wear weather-appropriate clothing including walking boots, 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.
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SSW #019: Dawn Chorus Walk
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When: Saturday 16th May 2026, 0500-0730ish
- Start/end point: entrance to Endcliffe Park, just inside the gates.
- Distance: 7km
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Terrain: mostly paved, though some sections unpaved - walking boots advisable
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
The dawn chorus lasts from mid-March to mid-June, so what better time to wake up early and catch some wondrous birdsong?
A medium, slower-paced walk open to all ages - we will aim to stay quiet throughout. Nothing crazy, just a steady walk along the Porter Brook and back, but the birdsong will be fantastic. Wear weather-appropriate clothing (it will be cold at 5am, so warm coat/hat/gloves recommended), and bring snacks/water/have something to eat beforehand.
I will definitely be bringing my audio recorder to record along the way, and I’d strongly recommend bringing something with you to document the walk such as a smartphone, audio recorder etc. If you’re interested in finding out which birds you can hear, I highly recommend installing Merlin Bird ID in advance of the walk. I’ll provide printouts for everyone with a map and listening prompts, but I imagine we’ll mostly be focused on the birdsong.
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SSW #018: Heeley City Farm to Bishops’ House
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When: Saturday 28th February 2026, 1400-1530ish
- Start/end point: just down the road from Heeley City Farm, Richards Road
- Distance: 4km
- Terrain: footpaths and pavements - Bishops’ House itself is not wheelchair accessible as there are steps up to the building and tight stairs inside
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
Heeley City Farm is a Sheffield gem, and the walk across from the farm to Meersbrook Park will provide some interesting sounds for sure! As we amble through Meersbrook Park, we’ll stop into the 200-year-old walled garden before passing along to Bishops’ House, a timber-framed Tudor house and museum, to hear the sounds within.
A short, slower-paced walk open to all ages - we will aim to stay quiet(ish) throughout. The farm is particularly great for children! 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.
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SSW #017: The Fox House Circular
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When: Sunday 15th February 2026, 1015-1230ish
- Start/end point: starting outside The Fox House, accessible by bus. Due to wet weather, we will be doing a round walk and finishing at The Fox House (different to advertised).
- Distance: 7km
- Terrain: mixed footpaths, 250m ascent.
Please click here to reserve your place (free, optional donation)
This lovely walk will take us over some of the incredible sights on the eastern side of the Peaks without much legwork at all! We’ll start at The Fox House and walk out over the Carl Wark hillfort and Higger Tor, before heading back round over Burbage Edge and back to The Fox House.
A medium-length, medium-paced walk for adults with places to chat in between longer sections of focused listening. The Fox House is served by the very reliable, hourly 272 bus service. Wear weather-appropriate clothing including walking boots, 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.
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SSW #016: Central Parks Trio (Ponderosa, Crookes Valley, Weston)
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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.
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SSW #015: Parkwood Springs
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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.
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SSW #014: Blue Loop
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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.
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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.
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SSW #012: Hope-Win Hill circular
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When: Sunday 28th September 2025, 1000-1415ish.
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Start/end point: Hope train station.
- Distance: 9km.
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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.
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