KiteJan
My Stuff
Kite Making
Hints & Tips
Misc...
Site
I have to say that Sheffield is not the best place to fly kites given that it is surrounded by hills and is a long way from the sea. However once we have accepted that the wind is going to be lumpy then we can get down to some flying. These are my usual places I fly in and around the city, along with what I think about them.
What's it like: Large city park with loads of grassy areas, but also with trees and goal posts. Grass is short, but after periods of rain it gets 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, yes, 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, trees and some embankments (some, as I found out today, are steep) - should make life interesting!
Other Users: Lots of dogs around, but not generally a problem. Obviously football and cricket are played as well. Best not to fly at the same time then.
Facilities: Toilets (not very nice....), Cafe (good for breakfasts), Parking, Animal Farm.
My rating: 5 (of 5)
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 quite busy at times, with a fair amount of dogs.
Facilities: None at all!
My rating: 3 (of 5)
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 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 (of 5)
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 good place to fly.
Stunt Kite Flying: If the wind is blowing up the valley its OK. I have flown both the Revolution and the Deca there with no problem at all.
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 take off from there.
Facilities: Playground, excellent cafe, close to Five Forty kite shop!
My rating: 2 (of 5)
What's it like: Sloping grassy area on outskirts of city. The field is hedged in on one side by trees (at the top of the slope), and on the other by houses (at the bottom), but is open on the other two side. So depending on the wind direction it can be fine. Oh yes one of the houses has a very useful wind sock attached to it's roof (thanks Dave!) so that helps.
Stunt Kite Flying: As good as it gets around here so long as the wind is blowing from one of the open sides.
Traction Kite Activities: Not enough space to do this.
Other Users: People walking their dog on the grassy slope, children tend to play at the other end, near the playground.
Facilities: Children's playground (very good according to my children).
My rating: 4 (of 5)
What's it like: Large field located behind the sportsman pub bounded on one side by trees. The grass is fairly short and fairly even. Depending on the direction of the wind it can be fine, but if it's coming over the trees its pretty 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 or way near the trees (so no problem there then). Other people also use the field - for example model aeroplane flyers, or microlight craft landing in summer - 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 (of 5)
What's it like: OK it's not really Sheffield, but it's close! The flying site is just off the road overlooking the hope valley. It's got a very beautiful view of the Derbyshire Country side as well as getting some of the best winds.
Stunt Kite Flying: Very good - been up a number of times. There is plenty of space for stunt kites, the ground is flat-ish (lots of tussocks and humps).
Traction Kite Activities: No - traction kites can (and have) been flown there as static flying, but given the lack of smooth grass buggies and boards aren't going to go far (you might, but not anything else). And the land owners (National Trust?) possibly won't like it.
Other Users: Can be difficult - one of the model glider clubs use the hill side for flying, and the grassy bits for landing - which can cause a bit of tension with them if kite flyers are there. Also there is a public foot path parallel to the road. Oh yes, did I mention sheep? Sometime there are sheep grazing there. However usually when I have been I haven't had a problem.
Facilities: None.
My rating: 5 (of 5) - mainly due to the beautiful views!
©
KiteJan 2002-2007