My Microgap: Exploring the Wild Side of Sheffield
AD: Press Trip. I was invited by Visit England to enjoy the wild experiences in this post, in exchange for social media coverage.
When I hear “Sheffield,” the first thing that springs to mind is the Arctic Monkeys. This is immediately followed by Meadowhall shopping centre and the universities. What doesn’t cross my mind? Canals and kayaking. Yet Sheffield offers this too, as I discovered on a Microgap to this Northern city.
Now, first things first, what on earth is a Microgap? Well, Visit England realised that UK millennials aren’t holidaying in Great Britain. It makes sense when you think about it – it’s so cheap and convenient to jump on a plane. I know I’m not the only one who chooses a cheap European city break over the UK, but this is causing lots of problems. Due to the fact we are travelling less here, there is a lack of passion for UK travel to pass down to future generations. Add this to the trend of fewer gap years and career breaks, due to both financial and career pressure. Immediately, travel for millennials becomes a larger problem than you may have realised.
Visit England’s solution? The Microgap; the experiences of a gap year crammed into a short UK break. It’s brilliant; simple, easy and reflects my own desire to explore more of the UK. My 12 Counties, 12 Months challenge was born of a wish to explore more of the UK this year. The Microgap campaign taps into my desire to “experience everything” and I love its ethos.
There are four key themes for the Microgap campaign; Go Wild, Learn More, Switch Off and Give Back. I immediately gravitated towards the “Go Wild” theme, which I tried in Sheffield. Sheffield is an incredible mix of city and outdoors, with a third within the Peak District so, whilst it might not be the first place you think of for outdoor activities, there is plenty to try. First, we jumped into some two-person canoes with Dan Crawford Outdoors to explore the canals. Within moments, we had left the hustle and bustle of the city behind. It was fascinating to see the mills lining the canals, along with the brightly coloured boats. We spotted a heron making his way along the bank, as well as lots of unique street art lining the canal path.
We broke up the day’s activities with a delicious vegan lunch at The Dorothy Pax. We were treated to one of the tastiest curries I’ve ever tried, packed full of flavour and cooked over an open fire. It was the perfect fuel for an active day and I loved the vibe of the bar. It was a great little spot for a local beer by the canal and I wish I could have stayed in the evening to experience some of its live music. Then, it was time to try Stand Up Paddleboarding for my second time.
The last time I tried Stand Up Paddleboarding, I fell in (and I blogged about it, of course). This time, I came prepared and took to the water in a wetsuit. As a result, I felt much more confident and so – didn’t fall in! I felt the improvement from my first session immediately and I am definitely starting to get the bug for the SUP life. Yet, things didn’t go quite to plan. As we headed back on our boards to land, two of my fellow bloggers fell in, taking a Go Pro with them. As the swimmer of the group, I volunteered to try and dive for it. I dove as deep as I could, but the canal was so deep and dark, the odds were stacked against me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful but it was great fun to try and be the hero of the day – and at least I got my swimming fix!
The entire day reinforced to me just how exciting the UK is. There’s simply so much to do, whether you are looking for a total detox or an exciting adventure. It doesn’t have to be a choice between a flight to a new country or exploring what’s on your doorstep – you can do both and it’s so much fun! Where would you “go wild” for a Microgap in the UK?
