We’ve just recovered from storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin. We’ve been told to hunker down and prepare for storm Gladys. Some of you may be feeling worryingly similar to how you did in the (all to recent) lockdowns, staying inside and opting to complete uni work online.
We all know that getting out and being active and sociable is essential for our mental health; so we have decided to compile a list of the top ten rainy day activities to do in and around Sheffield, in the hopes that you won’t feel too cooped up.
1)Ninja Warrior UK
Tickets: £11+
Ninja Warrior UK is an inflatable obstacle course located just before the IKEA at Meadowhall. You can get to it by bus or tram, and you can book a slot of either one or two hours (I would recommend two, as this is best value for money, and you won’t feel like you have to cram in a sickening amount of cardio to make the most of your visit).
Regardless of if you’re bringing a date or a group of friends, this is an activity which gives you the rare opportunity of unleashing your inner child. It’s a work out you won’t forget.
2) Lane 7
Tickets: £3+ for drinks, £7+ for games.
If your’e after a slightly competitive and less active day out, lane 7 is the perfect fit. Located just off The Moor in town, you can book in for bowling, ping pong, pool, darts, or beer pong. If that doesn’t sound to your liking, there are various sports games being played on a projector at all times, drinks flowing at the bar, and a variety of old school arcade games, such as dance mats and table hockey to be played.
3) IceSheffield
Tickets: £7+
Ever wanted to try your hand at ice skating? On an actual rink, and not one of those shoddy plastic pop up rinks you find yourself awkwardly hobbling around at the Christmas market every other year?
Look no further.
IceSheffield is just a short bus ride away, and there is even an ice skating society as part of the Students Union who can provide you not only with a lift, but also with company. Live out your swan lake fantasy.
4)Laser Quest
Tickets: £6.95+ (cheaper if you can snap up a good groupon deal)
Sheffield actually has an abundance of laser quest venues dotted around town to be made the most of. We all know what laser quest is. I don’t need to say much here. If you can assemble a group of friends or bring along your bestie to shoot lasers at for half an hour, you’ll have so much fun that you’ll forget all about storm Gladys.
5) Indoor Climbing
Tickets: Varied prices. Roughly £7+
Bet you thought this would be higher up on the list seeing as Sheffield is riddled with climbers and mountain boot owners. There’s the Foundry climbing centre, The Climbing Works andAwesome Walls as well as Sport Sheffield. There are loads of indoor climbing centres to cling on to for fun and exercise.
Rock up Sheffield (located in Meadowhall shopping centre) is a more novelty climbing centre which might appeal to less hardcore peak district fans.
6)Escape room
Tickets: £13+
Again, there is an abundance of escape rooms around Sheffield to choose from. This is more an exercise for the brain and relationship dynamics between you and your mates. It’s a stellar rainy day activity nonetheless.
7) Meadowhall FunStation
Tickets: Choose what you pay.
At the top of the food court in Meadowhall is an arcade which includes various VR games. It’s giving Stranger Things vibes. Much the same as in any old arcade, you win tickets with almost every game you play and you can redeem a prize if you save up enough. This is an ideal rainy activity as you can get the tram directly in, have a mooch around, grab some food and play games all within the confines of a sheltered building. Vue Cinema is conveniently located right next to this arcade, if you wanted to lengthen your day even more.
8) Museums and Art Galleries
Tickets: Mostly donation only
Although a lot of museums take some walking to, Sheffield is home to a number of museums which can make for a cute casual day trip. Western Park Museum is my personal favourite, and it has a coffee shop located inside.
The Alfred Denny Museum is on campus, if you’re not using it as part of your course it might be worth paying a visit.
Located a couple of roads down from the Crucible Theatre there is an art gallery,called the Millenium Gallery, full of pretty things to look at.
9) GloryHoles Sheffield
Tickets: £10
Sheffield’s latest attraction: an indoor novelty minigolf centre full of 18+ courses.
It’s located just opposite McDonalds on High Streetand has a groovy looking bar at the end of the course, with a few arcade games dotted about.
Though the centre is a work in progress with more courses to be opened in the near future, you could spend a good couple of hours chatting and enjoying being out of the house here.
10) Planet Pot
Tickets: Vary
If you’re more of an artsy type, head down to Planet pot for a coffee and an afternoon of pottery. This is a really cosy afternoon out, and a wholesome opportunity for you to unleash your creativity over some friendly chat.
Rebecca Mcphillips