Where to Fly - Sheffield

Graves Park

Hemsworth Rd, Sheffield S8 8L

What's it like: Large city park with loads of grassy areas, but also with trees and goal posts. Grass is generally short, but after periods of rain it does get very muddy.

Stunt Kite Flying: Yes - should be no problem in either the grass between the animal farm & cafe ( but entire site is tree lined), or the football pitches off Hemsworth Rd/Cobnar Rd.

Traction Kite Activities: In the football pitch area, its possible, but not elsewhere. I'm not sure about the legality of this, but as far as I know it's allowed. Also on the football pitches there are goal posts, lone trees and some embankments that make life interesting.

Other Users: Lots of dogs around, but not generally a problem. Obviously football and cricket are played as well. The park can get busy on nice days at weekends.

Facilities: Toilets , Cafe (good for breakfasts), Parking, Animal Farm.

My rating: 5/5

Meersbrook Park

Meersbrook, Sheffield S8 0RP

What's it like: Small sloping park overlooking the centre/west of the city. Some open grassy areas (but sloping), but lots of trees/houses surrounding the park.

Stunt Kite Flying: Yes - depending on the wind & if you can live with the slope it's possible.

Traction Kite Activities: You must be joking! Too small, sloping and busy!

Other Users: Can be very busy at times, with a a lot of dogs.

Facilities: Bishops House Museum is at the top and worth a look around when its open. No public toilets or cafe.

My rating: 2/5

Millhouses Park

Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 2QQ

What's it like: Narrow strip of a park between a main road and a railway line set in a valley. Pleasant enough place (nice trees & things), but pretty useless as a kite flying venue due to the gusty wind (when there is some) as well as very limited space.

Stunt Kite Flying: Possible (I have done it a couple of times), but not really recommended because of the nearby road and railway.

Traction Kite Activities: Not at all.

Other Users: Lots of people and children. The grassy spaces tend to be busy on nice days with families and kids playing. Plenty of dogs as well.

Facilities: Toilets, Cafe, Parking.

My rating: 1/5

Endcliffe Park

Eccelsall Road, Sheffield S11 7AB

What's it like: Very nice city park in a valley with lots of trees, a river and a medium sized grassy area in the middle with Rustlings Rd on one sides, and trees on all the others. I found that if the wind was too strong higher up (at Lodge Moor) and was blowing more of less from the North, then it was a reasonable place to fly.

Stunt Kite Flying: If the wind is blowing up the valley then its possible.

Traction Kite Activities: No. Too small and too many other dangers with the nearby road and other park users.

Other Users: Dogs (as usual), children at the playground, and in summer it gets very busy with people playing and sitting on the grass. And hot air balloons sometimes take off from there.

Facilities: Playground, cafe, toilets.

My rating: 1/5

Sportsman Pub

Redmires Rd, Sheffield S10 4LJ

What's it like: Large field located behind the sportsman pub bounded on one side by trees. Part of the grass is fairly short and even, however now about a third of the field has been left uncut which limits the space for traction activities now. Also there are some watery section at the far end that have got worse over the last few years.

Depending on the direction of the wind it can be fine, but if it's coming over the trees its pretty gusty and "lumpy".

Stunt Kite Flying: As good as it gets - plenty of space and usually can find a good spot.

Traction Kite Activities: Good - enough space for a few buggies/boards without too many problems.

Other Users: Mainly dog walkers (who seem to keep to the edge of the field) and walkers crossing on a right of way near the trees . A lot of other people also use the field at different - Sunday football, example model aeroplane flyers, and even microlight craft landing in summer - so sometimes things can get a bit crowded, but usually everyone gets on and makes room for the others without any trouble.

Facilities: Drinks (and food during evening/lunchtime) at the pub, Parking.

My rating: 5/5